Painting Kitchen Counter Tops

Q. We certainly enjoy your knowledge of home improvement and have a quick question. Our 9 year old white, standard kitchen countertops are becoming dingy and stained. Is there a way to apply a top coating or sealant to freshen up and protect this busy area of our home?

A. Counter tops can be epoxy & urethane painted to look much better through a process which is similar to re-glazing bath tubs and ceramic tile. This process is done by the same companies that re-glaze (paint) bath tubs and tile.

The longevity of the painted tops is not long-term and lasts 3 to 4 years with normal wear. Horizontal work surfaces like floors & tops usually require materials with a higher abrasion resistance than painted or acrylic coatings.

This painting is requested by those selling houses but not often by people expecting to live with these decisions long term. This is a relatively soft, painted surface. Top refinishing is available, but not usually advisable unless you are just "buying time" until the funds become available for long term counter top replacement work.

There are endless options for new countertops, and you will be able to choose from natural or engineered materials that match all budget ranges. I would recommend that you add a bit more money to the amount you're willing to spend on re-glazing and get a new countertop that will last decades as opposed to a few years.

Go Back