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New bench tops or laminate paint?

This is my first major DIY project. I'm wanting to update the kitchen, and after lots of research I plan to paint the kitchen cabinetry and carcases with Dulux Renovation range, however I'm not sure how to tackle the bench tops given their "unique" design

I'm wanting to keep this project as low cost as possible (unfortunately this house was a rental and has been handed back to me in poor condition, so many other maintenance projects have set my budget back a bit)

The sink and tap-wear we're replaced beginning of last year with Chrome fittings, and a stainless steel dishwasher to the right of the sink (sorry about old photos)

Do Bunnings make custom benchtops to suit this style, or am I better off painting the laminate?

Has anyone used a spray gun to get a glossier finish?

All advice welcome, I'd really love to start sanding in the next few days once I know how to approach the benchtops

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Jason

@SaraKearney,

A very warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. We're really happy to have you join us and look forward to seeing how you can transform your kitchen. We hope you also share other projects and plans for around the house and garden with us in the future. We're sure you will get plenty of helpful information, advice and inspiration from our amazing community members - please don't hesitate to post anytime.

The Dulux Renovation range has proved very popular with Workshop members. Here's some previous projects and discussions that you might like to check out:

Dulux Renovation Range kitchen paint before and after by @stelz

How to ensure counter top finish with Dulux renovation range by @Lorraine1

Painting kitchen cabinet doors - Dulux Renovator range by @VanessaL (includes a great example from @stevem)

Dulux Renovation range by @Caron

Kitchen makeover - I went dark

Kitchen benchtop advice by @Ang_flange

How to replace the countertop / island bench? by @firsttimereno

I hope those projects prove useful resources to you.

Our resident Bunnings D.I.Y. expert @MitchellMc will be more than happy to assist you with your benchtop questions but he is taking a well-earned break this week. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. In the meantime, let me tag some other experienced kitchen renovators in @2Belindas, @ProjectPete, @redracer01 and @JDE to see if they might like to share their thoughts.

Thanks for sharing your project with us, and please let me know if you ever need a hand getting the most from the Workshop site, or have any feedback about how we can make Workshop even more useful to you.

Jason

redracer01

Hello @SaraKearney

In order to get the most bling out of your budget I agree with your decision to use the Dulux renovator range! You can use the same range for your bench top. Using a spray gun is a good idea, but if this is your first attempt, I suggest getting some practice first with the house fence and some exterior paint. A few projects under your belt will give you the confidence and knowledge to attempt to spray not only your bench top but your entire kitchen! Investing in a spray gun will open a whole new world of possible renovation projects. However if time is of the essence then use a high quality paint roller for your project for a superior finish on the paint. However if you invest in a spray gun go for a mid range unit such as the Wagner W100. A good starter unit for you and will pay for itself when you do your first furniture renovation! Good luck and please post when you have finished your project I look forward to the reveal!

Red

MitchellMc

Hi @SaraKearney,

It's great to see you've already received a helpful response from the knowledgeable @redracer01.

How are you going with your project? It would be worth popping into one of our stores and discussing your custom bench top needs with one of our special order or kitchen experts. I don't believe we have a service which will assemble the entire benchtop and deliver it to site. However, they might be able to do some of the angular cuts you'd need to join the rectangular benchtops.

Please let me know if you need further information or had questions. We're here to help.

Mitchell

SaraKearney

Thanks for your reply Jason! I have read many posts of similar projects on Workshop forum and I'm excited to see the results!

In the end a friend is respraying the cabinetry for me (french polisher by trade) so far the results have been great, I'm excited to see the finished project!

Bench top will end up being sprayed eventually also, we just have to configure how to do so inside the house.

Thanks for your help!

Jason

Thanks for the update @SaraKearney.

Looking forward to seeing the resprayed cabinetry and what you do with your benchtops.

Jason

SaraKearney

Hey Everyone

Just wanted to share an update!

I still need to attach the new door handles, I went with Ikonic T Bar 128mm brushed nickel, and you'll see a cupboard door and a couple of drawers aren't on yet, they need a little adjusting.

Anywho, my friends resprayed the doors using an etch primer and enamel paint, not sure of brands.

For the carcasses and other colour board areas I used white knight tile and laminate primer, and Dulux Aqua enamel in Antique White USA, as I've used that throughout the house.

A few areas peeled as I removed the masking tape around the floor, so I'm not sure I'm confident using white knight primer again, however I'm overall happy with the outcome!

Bench tops, well I still haven't decided how to proceed, but when I get the opportunity I will talk to special orders desk and see how to go about ordering a new one, or decide to paint it with Dulux Renovation Range instead

JaneK

What a great result @SaraKearney. It's always so great to get an update on how things are going.

Jane

redracer01

Hello @SaraKearney

This is an excellent finish! Well worth the money spent on re-spraying the doors and you saved heaps in cabinet re-fitting. I encourage you to explore the possibilities of both options on your bench tops. Ask the kitchen specialist at your store local store for a quote on the bench tops and then compare the amount of bench top paint you will need from the paint department and see which one is more viable for you. Good luck and stay safe.

Red

MitchellMc

That has turned out amazingly well @SaraKearney! I can hardly believe those are the same cupboards. Well done, you must be extremely impressed with your efforts.

Many years ago, a tip I picked up about painting and masking tapes is that the tape needs to be removed before the paint dries. Once the paint forms a skin over and onto the tape, it can peel off no matter what type of primer or paint you use. When you need to apply an undercoat and a topcoat, the tape really needs to be removed after the undercoat is applied and is still wet. Before painting your topcoat, you'll replace the tape once again. Paint can only peel once it is dry and removing the tape as soon as you have finished a section prevents this.

We look forward to the completion of your kitchen, as you've been doing a fabulous job so far.

Mitchell

Caron

What a difference! Looks amazing - look forward to seeing the final results. Well done.

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