Suitable paints for countertops and how to apply them yourself
Table tops are traditionally varnished or waxed. These materials give the surface an attractive shine and protect against environmental influences. However, the same effect can be achieved with countertop paints. Such compositions prevent swelling of wood caused by high humidity, exclude insect damage and deformation.
Countertop Painting Requirements
Counters, due to the peculiarities of their operation, are constantly exposed to the negative influence of the environment. In this regard, finishing materials, including paints, must meet the following selection criteria:
- form a water-repellent layer;
- tolerate contact with household chemicals;
- strong and durable;
- resistant to mechanical stress;
- will not fade with constant exposure to sunlight.
Because hot dishes are often placed on worktops during operation, paints must be heat resistant.
When choosing a finishing material, you should also take into account the peculiarities of interior design. The painted worktop must be in harmony with the environment.Also, for finishing in this case, it is recommended to purchase compounds that, after drying, form a glossy surface layer. This is due to the fact that pathogenic micro-organisms accumulate over time on “loose” countertops in natural recesses.
Paints suitable for worktops
When processing countertops, the following types of coloring compositions are mainly used:
- water-based acrylic;
- oil;
- E-mail.
Acrylic paints are characterized by the following characteristics:
- dry quickly;
- easy to use;
- nontoxic;
- form a uniform surface layer;
- after drying, they are resistant to temperature variations, humidity and sunlight.
The popularity of acrylic paints is facilitated by the fact that these materials can be washed off with cold water after application. This allows you to immediately eliminate the inconvenience resulting from improper surface treatment. But you need to wash off this composition immediately, since this material dries quickly.
Oil formulations are rarely used. This is due to the fact that such paints dry for a long time and do not tolerate mechanical stress. And with regular washing, the surface layer thins and fades. Instead of oil paints, it is recommended to use nitro enamel, since this material has the following characteristics:
- dries quickly;
- affordable;
- resistant to mechanical stress and ultraviolet light;
- forms an anti-corrosion coating.
At the same time, worktops that do not come into direct contact with sunlight can be treated with nitro enamel. In addition, this material is toxic.Therefore, when painting the surface, it is necessary to wear a respirator, and the work should be carried out in the open air.
For finishing laminated surfaces, polyurethane mixtures are used. These products are characterized by the following characteristics:
- elastic;
- do not crack;
- do not require preliminary priming of the surface;
- withstand shocks, static and dynamic loads;
- dry quickly;
- nontoxic.
Polyurethane paints do not yellow over time and retain their original transparency. At the same time, surfaces covered with such mixtures do not tolerate contact with moisture.
Surface preparation for painting
The procedure for preparing the surface for painting directly depends on the type of finishing material used previously. It also determines the method of cleaning the counter.
Remove the old coating
If polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was used as the primary coating, chemicals or reagents are used to remove this film. The special washes used in such cases must be adapted to the type of material with which the worktop is finished. These products are suitable for removing old paint.
How to prepare the base
After removing the old coating together with the base, the following operations must be carried out:
- Sand it down. If the table top is large, a sander should be used. In this case, it is recommended not to change the pressure force on the device and periodically wet the surface. If you are using sandpaper, you should take a coarse grit.
- Degrease. To do this, you can use alcohol or dishwashing detergent. After this procedure, the surface must be dried.
- Fill in the irregularities.To seal the cracks on the countertop, epoxy resin is used, which, after hardening, must be leveled by grinding. You can also use a latex sealant.
- First. Like sanding, this procedure is intended to increase paint adhesion.
It is recommended to carry out the operations described with a mask and gloves.
How to paint a wooden countertop with your own hands
Before starting the procedure, it is necessary to remove all fittings and seal the areas with masking tape where the paint should not get. It is recommended to treat the worktop with a brush and roller. In this case, the latter should not be foam rubber, since after staining with such material, visible defects remain on the surface. The brush should have medium bristles.
The worktop should be painted in a well-ventilated area. If a more saturated color is required or the procedure is carried out using white or gray mixtures, the material should be applied in two layers with an interval of 2 hours. To speed up the procedure, you can use a spray gun.
Finishing
At the end of the staining process, the worktop takes on a matte shade. To restore the original shine, it is recommended to apply a water-soluble varnish to the surface after the end of the procedure. This material will increase the resistance to mechanical stress.
Instead of a water-soluble varnish, you can take a self-polishing with a fine abrasiveness. This material does not spread after application and is able to hide minor defects. Before purchasing a finishing coat, it is recommended to check the paint compatibility of the selected mixture.Some products cannot be used together.