If you’re thinking about changing the look of your kitchen or bathroom without a costly renovation, painting your laminate countertops is an excellent DIY solution. However, it’s essential to choose the right paint and primer to ensure your project is successful.
Laminate countertops are best painted with water-based paint. Water-based paints dry quickly and are resistant to fading and staining. A bonding primer is also recommended for best results. A bonding primer helps create a strong bond between the laminate surface and your chosen paint, preventing peeling and chipping.
In this article, you will learn:
- The 6 factors to consider when choosing paint for laminate countertops
- What type of paint to use
- What finish is best
- My top picks for the best paint, primer, and sealer for laminate countertops
The 6 Factors to Consider When Choosing Paint for Laminate Countertops
1. Type of Paint
The first factor to consider is the type of paint you should use. Not all paints are suitable for laminate countertops as they may not adhere well or withstand daily wear and tear.
You should opt for a paint specifically meant for countertops. These types of paints are durable and resistant to chipping, staining, and discoloration.
2. Durability
When choosing paint for your laminate countertops, it’s essential to consider the durability of the paint. Laminate countertops are exposed to a lot of wear and tear, so you need paint that can withstand daily use. Look for a paint that is scratch-resistant and easy to clean.
3. Color and Finish
The color and finish of the paint you choose for your laminate countertops will depend on your personal preference and the style of your kitchen.
Matte and satin finishes are popular for laminate countertops as they hide imperfections better than high gloss finishes.
When it comes to color, you should choose a color that compliments your kitchen decor. Neutral colors like white, gray, or beige are popular choices for laminate countertops.
4. Application Method
Choose an application method that best suits your project. You can opt for a brush, roller, or spray can of paint, depending on the size of your project. Brushes and rollers are good for small projects while a spray can may be more suitable for larger surfaces.
5. Condition of the Surface
The condition of the surface is one factor to consider when choosing paint for laminate countertops. If your countertop is cracked or otherwise damaged, it’s best to repair it before you begin painting.
A smooth surface is essential to ensure the paint has an even finish. Then choose a paint that can hide any imperfections.
6. Cost
The cost of the paint is also an essential factor to consider when painting laminate countertops. High-quality paints tend to be more expensive, but they are also more durable and will last longer.
However, if you’re on a tight budget, you can opt for affordable paint options that are still of good quality.
What Type of Paint Is Best?
Acrylic
Acrylic paint is a type of paint made from pigment suspended in acrylic polymer emulsion. It is water-soluble but becomes water-resistant when dry.
Pros
- Water-Based: Being a water-based paint, it’s easy to clean up with soap and water.
- Dries Quickly: It dries fast, which can speed up your project timeline.
- Versatile: It can be thinned with water or thickened with mediums, offering a range of finishes from matte to gloss.
- Vibrant Colors: Known for their bright, vibrant colors.
- Low VOCs: They generally have fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making them safer for indoor air quality.
Cons
- Durability: While quite durable, acrylic paint may not hold up as well as other types of paint on a high-use surface like a countertop.
- Adhesion: Without proper preparation, acrylic paint might not adhere well to slick surfaces like laminate.
- Not Heat Resistant: Isn’t heat resistant. Placing hot pots or pans on the surface could cause damage.
- Surface Preparation: Proper surface preparation such as cleaning, sanding, and priming is necessary for good adhesion on laminate surfaces.
Latex
Latex paint is a type of water-based paint made from acrylic resin. It’s often used for interior applications.
Pros
- Easy Clean-up: Latex paint cleans up easily with soap and water.
- Quick Drying: It dries faster than oil-based paints.
- Low VOCs: Usually have fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making them safer for indoor use.
- Flexibility: More flexible than oil-based paint, which means it’s less likely to crack over time.
- Color Retention: Tends to resist yellowing with age in areas protected from sunlight.
Cons
- Durability: While durable, latex paint may not hold up as well as other types of paint on a high-use surface like a countertop.
- Adhesion: May not adhere well to slick surfaces like laminate without proper preparation.
- Multiple Coats Needed: You may need multiple coats to achieve an opaque and even finish.
- Not Heat Resistant: Isn’t heat resistant. Placing hot pots or pans on the surface could cause damage.
- Sealing Required: A sealer will need to be applied after painting to make it water and stain resistant.
- Surface Preparation: Proper surface preparation such as cleaning, sanding, and priming is necessary for good adhesion on laminate surfaces.
What Paint Finish Is Best?
When it comes to durability, easy maintenance, and overall appearance, two sheens stand out as excellent options: satin and semi-gloss.
Satin finish, which sits somewhere between matte and gloss, strikes an ideal balance between aesthetic appeal and practicality.
With its mild shine, a satin finish doesn’t draw too much attention to itself but still reflects enough light to brighten up a kitchen or bathroom.
What’s more, the satin finish is easy to clean and able to mask minor blemishes or scratches on the surface of a countertop.
On the other hand, semi-gloss paints offer even more durability and reflective properties than satin finishes, making them a great fit for high-use, high-moisture areas such as countertops.
With their increased shine, semi-gloss paints are even easier to keep clean than satin versions, making them well-suited to the demands of daily wear and tear.
It’s worth noting that regardless of which sheen you choose, taking expert care of your painted countertop is essential for preserving its condition and appearance.
For example, sealing a painted countertop with a non-yellowing, water-based polyurethane is crucial for protecting it from damage caused by stains and scratches.
By implementing this finishing touch, you can add sheen to your countertop’s appearance, so keep this in mind when selecting your paint’s sheen.
The Best Paint, Primer, and Sealer for Laminate Countertops
Best Brush-on Paint
Valspar Signature Interior Paint + Primer is not only an outstanding paint option for interior walls and ceilings, but it is also the recommended brush-on paint for laminate countertops.
With its advanced ScuffShield Technology, this paint and primer has exceptional durability that can resist scratches and stains, making it perfect for countertops that undergo daily use.
The high-hiding paint and primer combination of Valspar Signature® Interior Paint + Primer offers excellent coverage, ensuring that your laminate countertops will look beautifully refreshed and essentially new.
The specially formulated 100% acrylic latex is designed to withstand wear and tear from daily use, ensuring that your investment will last for years to come. Additionally, the paint provides a lifetime warranty, which is a testament to its high quality.
The finish of Valspar Signature Interior Paint + Primer is smooth and high hiding, creating an elegant finish that can enhance the overall look of your kitchen or bathroom.
The fade and mildew-resistant finish can also maintain the richness and vibrancy of the color, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a long-lasting and low-maintenance countertop paint solution.
This brush-on paint is easy to apply and dries quickly, ensuring little to no downtime for your kitchen or bathroom.
The paint is available in a wide range of sheens, including eggshell, flat, satin, and semi-gloss options, giving you the flexibility to choose the right sheen that best meets your personal preference.
With this type of paint and primer combination, you can get the perfect finish that looks great on your laminate countertops.
Best Spray Paint
Behr Premium Spray Paint is the ultimate solution for spray painting laminate countertops. With its unique formulation that combines paint and primer in a single can, this spray-on paint delivers exceptional performance and durability that you can count on.
Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, it can adhere effectively to a wide range of surfaces, including wood, metal, plastic, cast stone, wicker, and of course, laminate.
One of its standout features is its weather and corrosion-resistant qualities that make it ideal for use in harsh environments.
It delivers a reliable and long-lasting finish that can withstand the test of time, as well as everyday wear and tear. This means that you can use this spray paint to keep your countertops looking fresh and new for years to come.
In addition, the unique, ergonomic shape of the can, and its comfort tip, provide an added advantage over other spray paint options.
It delivers a superior spray experience that fights hand fatigue, ensuring that you can create a smooth finish every time. With its precise and even spray, it lets you achieve a professional-looking finish that is hard to beat.
Best Countertop Kit
Rust-Oleum Laminate Countertop Transformations Paint Kit is undoubtedly the top-rated product when it comes to transforming your old and tired-looking laminate countertops into beautiful and long-lasting surfaces.
This DIY coating system is incredibly easy to use, and with a straightforward application process, you’ll be able to give your countertops a complete transformation within no time.
The kit is ideal for anyone on the lookout for new kitchen or bathroom countertops without the hefty price tag.
With its innovative formulation, this paint kit can provide a natural-looking finish to your laminate countertops, giving them the effect of natural stone at a fraction of the cost of granite countertops.
One of the most significant advantages of this painting kit is its excellent versatility, which allows it to be used on several surfaces and is perfect for both bathroom and kitchen countertops.
The kit is designed to be all-inclusive, featuring decorative chips that can give your countertops a more elegant and stylish look that matches your interior decor.
Moreover, this countertop kit’s durable finish will provide long-lasting results that won’t fade or dull out, ensuring that you get the most value out of your investment.
The advanced coating system ensures your kitchen or bathroom countertops remain sturdy and resilient against any wear and tear.
Best Primer
INSL-X Stix Acrylic Waterborne Bonding Primer is an exceptional primer that has been designed to provide a flawless and durable finish to laminate countertops.
This remarkable primer offers a strong foundation for a perfect finish, thanks to its innovative formulation that enhances adhesion to most surfaces, including vinyl cabs.
Its exceptional adhesion properties help to prevent peeling or chipping of the paint, ensuring that your countertops remain beautiful for years to come.
One of the distinguishing features of it is its ability to hold up well to heat and steam, making it ideal for use in kitchens and other high-moisture areas.
With this primer, you can rest easy knowing that your laminate countertops are protected from the damaging effects of excessive heat and moisture, which could lead to the formation of unsightly stains and discolorations.
This primer goes on smoothly and covers the laminate surface evenly, leaving no streaks or blemishes. Furthermore, it is incredibly easy to use, even for beginners, with no bad odor that could potentially cause respiratory problems.
Another noteworthy feature is its durability and chip resistance. This primer forms a tough and durable layer on top of the laminate surface that can withstand the daily wear and tear of kitchen usage.
Even when subjected to physical impact or scratches, the primer remains intact, ensuring that your countertops look as good as new.
Lastly, it is worth noting that INSL-X Stix Acrylic Waterborne Bonding Primer is also an excellent cost-effective solution. This one-quart bottle goes a long way, making it an affordable option for homeowners looking to give their laminate countertops an instant makeover.
Best Sealer
For those looking for a reliable and efficient sealer for their laminate countertops, Minwax 356100000 One Coat Polyurethane Gloss Paint is the ideal choice.
Its advanced formulation provides a crystal-clear gloss finish that is both long-lasting and resistant to yellowing, ensuring that your countertops remain beautiful for years to come.
Not only does this protective top coat dry quickly in just two hours, but it also saves you time with its water-based formula, making clean-up easy and hassle-free.
Its advanced formulation also offers exceptional durability, providing the same level of protection in one coat that would normally require three coats of conventional polyurethane.
In addition to its impressive protective features, this gloss clear varnish offers a sleek and modern sheen that enhances the natural beauty of your countertops.
With its ultra-fast-drying formula and non-ambering properties, it is sure to become a go-to choice for those who want to achieve a professional-looking finish on their laminate countertops.
As a brand that has been trusted by woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts since 1904, Minwax has earned a reputation for innovation, quality, and reliability.
Their complete line of products is designed to meet the unique needs of every wood finishing project, and their One Coat Polyurethane Gloss Paint is no exception.
With its superior protection and stunning gloss finish, it is undoubtedly the recommended sealer for those who want long-lasting and beautiful laminate countertops.