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How to paint kitchen countertops?

I was planning to paint the kitchen countertops and follow the Dulux example on the Bunnings Website, but I’m on a bit of tighter budget. My questions are:

- do I have to use the dulux renovation ranger? Or is there a cheaper alternative?

- do I need the primer and clear coat?
- how do I tell if I have vinyl or laminate kitchen tops?

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EricL

Hello @KieranHarbinson

The Dulux Renovation range is the only paint system I know that has a dedicated benchtop paint. This paint system has been designed to be used on benchtops and will provide a superior finish. You'll need to use both the primer and Dulux Renovation clear coat when painting benchtops.

A laminate benchtop is made from multiple layers of paper or fabric bonded together with resins and heat, then applied to a core material like MDF or particleboard. The top layer is decorative and protected by a hard, clear coating. A vinyl benchtop typically involves a self-adhesive, flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film (essentially a thick sticker) that is applied to an existing benchtop.

The vinyl surface is generally not as strong or durable as a purpose-built laminate benchtop surface. It is more susceptible to cuts, scratches, and heat damage, and may not handle very high temperatures well.

My best advice is to wait until you have the resources to use the complete system. Cost cutting by not using the full set will result in early deterioration of the surface, poor adhesion and damage to the topcoat is more likely to occur.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

KieranHarbinson

Hey Eric thanks for the help! I’ll definitely save up then for the proper ranger. I was wondering if you can pick your brain about some specifics when it comes to painting.

since I have 2 young kids at home I can’t have wet paint as they’ll destroy it. I had a mental plan of starting one evening 1 by preparing surface (cleaning, removing silicon) and adding primer layer

evening 2 starting at 4pm I’ll do paint layer 1 then 8hr later painter layer 2

finally evening 3 add top coat and resillicone edges.

Also I believe I have laminate bench tops based on what you mentioned above.
finally how many litres would I even need with a bench size of approximately 2.82m2 this includes a bit of over lap of each section and I haven’t removed stove top or sink from calculations (I have a U shaped counter top)

MitchellMc

Hi @KieranHarbinson,

That plan is actually very sensible, especially with young kids in the house. Breaking it up over a few evenings is the right way to manage it, and your sequencing is pretty much spot on.

Night one for prep and priming is ideal. Thorough cleaning and degreasing is important, as benchtops tend to hold onto oils you don’t realise are there. Removing the silicone beforehand is important too, as paint will not adhere to it at all. Once the primer is on, it will generally be touch-dry within a few hours, but it’s best left overnight to properly cure before you start applying the topcoat.

Your second evening plan of applying the first coat at around 4 pm and then the second coat roughly eight hours later aligns well with the Dulux Renovation system. Just make sure you’re checking the recoat window on the tin, as temperature and humidity can slightly affect timing. Light, even coats will help it level out and reduce the risk of marks if someone accidentally brushes past it later on.

Doing the clear coat on the third evening is also a good approach. The clear coat is what really gives the surface its durability, so once that’s on, you’ll want to keep the benchtop protected for as long as you can. Even though it will feel dry fairly quickly, I’d strongly recommend avoiding use for at least 48 hours, and ideally up to 7 days before putting heavy items back on or doing any cleaning. Reapplying silicone at the very end, once everything has cured, is exactly what you should be doing.

In terms of quantities, for approximately 2.82 square metres including overlap, one litre of primer will be more than enough. For the Renovation Benchtop Paint, one litre should comfortably cover two coats at that size. For the clear coat, one litre will also be sufficient and gives you a bit of margin. Even though the tins often quote higher coverage, benchtops are an area where it’s better to have a little spare than run short halfway through a coat.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

KieranHarbinson

Thanks so much for the feedback!

I was wondering during those few days when I have exposed primer(day 1), exposed paint (day 2) and when the top coat is curing (day 3&4) am I able to put items like kettles and microwaves on top and im I still able to minimally use the counter tops i.e. make basic foods, wipe down with water and use the sink?

MitchellMc

@KieranHarbinson,

For the primer, I would not use the benchtop at all until you move on to the paint coating.

For the paint coat and the clear coat: Return to use Light use after 2 days (do not leave any objects sitting on the surface – take care not to expose to water or detergent). Medium use after 3 days (can clean with mild detergent and water). General use after 7 days (placement of objects on the surface).

So, really, you can't use the benchtop for the entire time it is being coated and then for another 2 days after applying the clear coat. Even then, you'd need to wait 7 days after the clear to leave items like kettles and microwaves on the surface. You might like to pick up a folding blow mould table and set up a mini benchtop in the interim.

Mitchell

KieranHarbinson

Thank you so much! One final question after the top coat is touch dry am I able to use the sink provided I continuously wipe the counter from any slashes?

MitchellMc

According to the above, I would read that as the benchtop should not be exposed to any water until day three @KieranHarbinson. If you need to use the sink, I would do so carefully and lay tea towels on the surface (only after allowing 24hours to cure) to prevent splashes.

Mitchell

KieranHarbinson

Hey, just checking something as i got conflicting information. I asked the paint shop worker if the Dulux renovation benchtop paints can be mixed into different colours for example a brown. To which he said it’s possible to mix into any colours.

i just wanted to check if this is true before I go and purchase the paints tonight

MitchellMc

Hi @KieranHarbinson,

The Renovation range can have colours mixed into it that require a white or deep base. So, it is not possible to mix any colour into them, though there is a great selection to choose from. You can certainly get into the browns, but more mid to lighter browns, not like a mission brown. If you head to the Renovation range page and tap 'Select colour', you'll be shown what's available. There might be other colours available that aren't shown on the page, but they must come from the white or deep base.

Mitchell

KieranHarbinson

That makes sense. So in this case would I speak with the paint shop worker to make sure we get the right base to go with the respective colour?

JacobZ

Hi @KieranHarbinson,

Yes, that is correct. The paint shop team have the formulas in their computer that show the base that they require for each specific colour. If you let them know the colour you would like, they will grab the correct base for it.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

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