How to ensure counter top finish with Dulux renovation range

I've painted my counter tops 2 coats of Dulux Renovations Range -Domino. Im about the go to the Dulux Satin Top Coat varnish for renovation range however im seeing some bad reviews for this product stating that it wastes job and leaves streaks / marks. Has anyone used the clear top coat how long should I leave countertop to cure before applying top coat varnish or are there better spray products to use that won’t leave roller marks

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MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Lorraine1. It's great to have you join us and many thanks for your questions.

You'll find streaks and marks in the topcoat varnish occur for a few reasons. A new roller needs to be used for the varnish. An adequate amount of product needs to be loaded onto the roller. The varnish is then applied in a single coat and can not be re-worked with the roller once it has been laid. The product is self-levelling and if you try to add more or go over the area once the coating has started to cure this is when you will start to see streaking.

In summary, load a new roller with plenty of topcoat, apply the topcoat to the bench in even passes with consistent light pressure and then leave it to cure. Do not go back over the area once you have laid a coating on it.

You should wait until the next day after painting the benchtop before applying the clear topcoat. Personally, I'm not aware of any other clear topcoats that would be suitable.

You might be interested in these previous discussions:

Dulux Renovation range by @Caron

Painting kitchen cabinet doors - Dulux Renovator range by @VanessaL

Kitchen makeover - I went dark by @Former Workshop member

You should find this step-by-step tutorial helpful: How to paint a kitchen benchtop

Please let me know if you need further assistance or had other questions.

Mitchell

Kmegan80

Hi @MitchellMc - thank you for this advice. It makes sense and I know understand what I’ve done wrong. I’ve only applied a second coat to a section of my bench, is there a way I can remove the top coat without removing the paint?

EricL

Hello @Kmegan80

I'm sorry, but once the clear coat has been applied and has cured there is no way to remove it without damaging the base coat. Did your clear coat form streaks or runs? Would it be possible for you to post a photo of your progress so far?

I can ask the Dulux technical team if there is a way to remedy the clear coat surface. But they'll need to see the condition of your benchtop.

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

Eric

Kmegan80

@EricL I have now attempted to coat my entire bench top and on all occasions, this has been the result. I used the advice given to complete the remaining section last night with the same result. Whilst I appreciate the advice, I wonder why the instructions from dulux differ so much. Neither method though has given me a different result. I have also sanded it back and reapplied, same result.

MitchellMc

I'm so sorry to hear you've continued to have this issue @Kmegan80. What type of roller are you using? If you can link me to the exact product, that will help immensely with troubleshooting.

I suspect there could be a few things going on that would introduce bubbles:

If an incorrect roller, like a foam roller, instead of the 4mm fine-napped roller was used

If the product was shaken to mix instead of stirring or if it was not mixed with a flat-bladed stirrer

If the coat was applied over the previous without it being fully cured

If the humidity was too high, the surface was too hot or the product was applied in direct sunlight

If areas that have begun to cure have been touched

If the two parts of the product were mixed more than 10 days ago.

If none of the possible causes I've listed above sounds like the issue, then I'd suggest you speak with the Dulux technical team directly, as this certainly seems like a bit of a complex case. Personally, I've never seen that quantity of bubbles in one of their clearcoats, whether it was applied as per directions or not.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Kmegan80

Hi @MitchellMc

Please find the link to the roller we used. Monarch 130mm Doors Trims And Cupboards Ultra Microfibre Roller Cover - Bunnings Australia

Each time we have stirred the paint for 5 mins or more as per the instructions before use.

The photos included, only have one coat, so there is no other coat to cure. In the areas where we have applied a second coat, the final result is the same. We also did not touch it after applying it as per your instructions.

We used air conditioning throughout the house to ensure the temperature was controlled at 23 degrees.

The tin was only open 3 days ago.

Hopefully I have answered all your questions. I appreciate any assistance you can give. We have spent alot time and money to have to start from scratch again.

MitchellMc

Hi @Kmegan80,

Thanks for that info.

How long did you leave the colour paint coating before applying the clearcoat? Did you use a flat-bladed stirrer by hand?

Mitchell

Kmegan80

Hi @MitchellMc

We left it for 2 days.

Yes, we did - one we recommended to purchase by the Bunnings team.

MitchellMc

Hi @Kmegan80,

I've reached out to the Dulux technical team again and they'd like you to contact them directly if that's at all possible so they can open a ticket for you and get this issue resolved. If you could please go ahead and either call, start a live chat or use their enquiry form I trust they'll be of great assistance.

I do apologise for this inconvenience.

Mitchell

Kmegan80

Thank you. Will do.

alanericbarker

I have done several showers ok but had very similar streaky results on benchtop.

Read all the instructions, tried many times using different techniques, always streaky.

Very unhappy with this product on benchtops, waste of money and time

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @alanericbarker.

Thank you for reaching out. I'm sorry to hear about the frustrating experience you've had. I understand how disappointing it can be when you’ve put in the effort and aren't getting the desired results.

Streakiness is most often caused by reworking areas that have already started curing, sometimes in less than five minutes, which interrupts the self-levelling process. However, I’d be more than happy to assist you further in troubleshooting or, if you prefer, I can help connect you with the Dulux technical team for more detailed support.

If you could kindly provide photos of the benchtop and a bit more information about the techniques you’ve used, I’d be glad to assist in working through this issue. We're here to help.

Let me know if you need a hand uploading images.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

bowiemum2021

Hello- I’ve followed the instructions perfectly and have found I have a couple roller marks from my satin top coat. It says to do in sections and lay off, however I’m finding even doing the shorter width of the bench after about 4 ups and downs you can’t lay off without leaving a line somewhere- I’ve managed to work extremely quickly too but it dries so fast. Perhaps it is not worth laying off?

secondly, what would happen if I lightly sanded a roller mark (only 1 down one end) and applied clear coat only to the end of the bench instead of going over the whole thing again and risking more marks?

thanks

EricL

Hello @bowiemum2021

I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing the same streak mark issues when rolling the paint roller. Streakiness is most often caused by reworking areas that have already started curing, sometimes in less than five minutes, which interrupts the self-levelling process as explained by Mitch earlier in the post. I propose reducing the number of rolls of up and downs to a minimum in order to avoid lines forming.

In regards to your second questions, I'll have to forward it to the Dulux technical team. You can contact them directly if you wish as they will be able to provide you with more detailed answers. You can also use "Live Chat" to get immediate answers with a minimum waiting time. Allow me to get in contact with the Dulux team tomorrow to try and get some answers for you.

Thank you for your patience.

Eric

bowiemum2021

Thanks- I did the bench top in 5 mins altogether, it starts drying immediately you don’t have 5 mins of leeway. Working in 3 sections I did up and down x 4 then quick lay off and so on always working the wet edge

EricL

Hello @bowiemum2021

Thank you for your patience. I've contacted Dulux technical, and they have requested that you please contact them directly. They have some questions that I don't have the answers to, and they have suggested to speak to you directly. Your ticket number is 1056759 and just mention that you have been speaking to me in regards to the Dulux Benchtop paint. Please call them on 132525 and look for Kaaren.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

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