Scratch-Resistant Paint for Countertops

Paint Choices

• Rust-Oleum makes its own paint for countertops, called Rust-Oleum Countertop coating, which comes in 16 colors. The product contains an antimicrobial protection layer that prevents mildew from settling on the counters and reduces odors caused by those microbes. Danny Lipford recommends a polymer resin designed for automobile painting. When combined with a primer and a topcoat, the colors give your counters the look of marble. Lipford uses a kit from Giani that includes the paint and tools needed for the job.

Conditions

• The amount of time it takes for the paint to cure and finish drying depends on the type of paint. The Rust-Oleum product, for example, requires three days of drying time. If there's high humidity where the counter is, drying may take even longer. You must also keep any pets or children out of the room until the paint dries because of the harsh fumes. This Old House recommends turning off the pilot light in your home and wearing a mask or respirator for protection against the fumes.

Considerations

• Before painting, clean the counters with a degreasing product. When you wipe the counters with this product, it removes any grease, dirt and debris from the surface. Buff dry the counters with a soft cloth or let them air-dry completely. This Old House recommends sanding the counters with 150-grit sandpaper and cleaning again after sanding. Use the same degreasing solution, which will remove any oil and grease, as well as the residue of the sanding.

Painting

• Apply a coat of primer to the countertops, using a brush-on or spray primer. After the primer dries, use 220-grit sandpaper and buff the surface. The sandpaper scratches and roughens the surface, which makes the paint stick to it better. After your first coat dries, examine the counter and apply additional coats as needed. It may take three coats or more before you cover the primer and the original color of the counters. Let the paint dry completely before using the counters.