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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
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
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
