Painting a Laminate Countertop

How to make a laminate countertop look like marble using oil-based paint and some faux finish techniques.

Make a laminate countertop look like marble using oil-based paint and some faux finish techniques.

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The process to paint a laminate top is fairly involved, but it does work. But first, ask yourself if this is really what you want to do. Once you paint it you can't go back!

Materials and Tools:

soap
bucket
sponge
oil-based primer (tinted to base coat color)
oil-based paint (white, three beige tones)
220-grit sandpaper
small paint roller/cover
natural bristle paintbrush
small artist's paintbrush
painter's blue tape
oil-based polyurethane

Steps:

1. Wash the countertop thoroughly with soap and warm water. Let dry.

2. Sand the countertop thoroughly and remove the dust with a clear-water rinse. Let dry.

3. Roll the primer on and let dry overnight. Be sure to ventilate the area well throughout the technique.

4. After the primer has dried--and I mean dried--give it at least overnight. You can apply an oil-based topcoat. I like to cut in ("cut in" means to paint around edges with a brush) with a natural bristle brush, then apply the paint with a 7-inch roller cover that has a 1/4-inch nap. Most paint-roller frames are 9 inches in length, but the smaller frame is easier to maneuver around countertops and cabinets. The 1/4-inch nap is perfect for oil-based products, just enough paint is held in the nap and it rolls on a nice, smooth finish.

Figure A

5. Tape-off the desired design. Working from the center out, use a pouncing technique and a small brush to apply the lighter color, filling in a small area. Blend the medium color, and then the dark paint, overlapping the colors while also loading the brush as you go (figure A). The paint will build a fairly heavy film, but as the colors start to level, it will give you the desired marble look. Oil provides a little more working time since is dries slower than latex paint.

Figure B

6. While the paint is still wet, start adding the veins that give marble its distinguishing feature. Using a small artist's brush, and white paint, push the brush forward, with a very gentle touch; let the brush work for you. Sometimes the vein will be thick and sometimes it will break off and start again (figure B). Sometimes the vein will be thick and sometimes it will break off and start again. Have fun with this step

7. Let the paint completely dry (at least overnight), and then apply several coats of polyurethane for protection.