Formica countertops are mostly found in kitchens and bathrooms as they are good with heat and are also relatively inexpensive to install. Formica which is a type of plastic laminate that can be rather tricky to get paint to stick to if you choose to paint over it. Painting Formica can be an inexpensive and easy way to update a countertop. This article is going to look at how to paint Formica, and some common mistakes to avoid.
Materials needed to paint Formica
Fine grit sandpaper
Oil based paint, spray paint, or epoxy paint
Liquid detergent
Small and large size paintbrush (depending on preference)
Killz primer (optional)
How to paint Formica
1. Before you begin to paint Formica you have to gather the required materials listed above and prep the surface. Also this should go without saying but remember to clear the surface before proceeding.
2. Formica countertops are very smooth, and like most plastic surfaces, are hard to paint. You have to first sand the surface with fine grit sandpaper. This step cannot be skipped as you need to make grooves and rough up the material in order to get the paint to stick.
3. After you sand down the Formica countertop you will have to get ALL the dust off the surface, you can do this with either a Shop Vac or even a powerful handheld vacuum. After the bulk of the dust is removed proceed to use a damp cloth with a mild liquid detergent to clean the surface. You do not want to use too much water so stick to a damp cloth instead of a soaked one.
4. Use painters tape to tape off any area you do not wish to paint; this step is optional but highly recommended as just one mistake can ruin the look of the surface.
5. Priming a Formica countertop is an option, and unfortunately you cannot skip the sanding step if you use a primer. Using a primer such as Killz to primer for best results; the primer will help the paint stick and make it less likely to chip or crack, however you can get away with skipping this step if you choose. Keep in mind you want to use like based primers to the paint you are using; i.e. not oil primer and latex paint.
6. Paint- You have options for the actual painting job, I will lay out the options with what will last the longest and which is easiest to apply. You can use a spray paint, Rustoleum or Krylon brands make a spray paint for the Formica surface; however they do come in different textures as well and can be found at almost any hardware store. Spray painting is the easiest way to paint Formica. You can use an epoxy paint which is the strongest for wear and tear or an oil based paint. The oil based paint is the least resistant to wear and tear. For all three options two coats of paint is the best amount to apply. Two thin coats are better than one thick coat, and you will get your desired color with the two coats.
7. Let the paint dry and you have finished your project, you updated a dated Formica countertop without breaking the bank!
Sources:
http://forum.doityourself.com/archive/index.php/t-86344.html
http://www.houserepairtalk.com/f2/can-i-paint-formica-countertop-899/
Personal experience working at a hardware store for multiple years
