Which product should I use to seal painted counters?
by
Mia
+4
I'm getting ready to paint my kitchen counters with acrylic craft paints. My goal is to mimic gray multi-colored granite with a splash of blue. I have all my colors and my primer picked out, but I'm torn on which product to use as a sealer/top coat. I've read oodles of articles, and some say to always use water-based poly, some swear by oil-based for longevity and strength in a watery kitchen environment. I definitely do not want to go with resin/epoxy - I'm trying to keep it simple so I'm going to go with a poly of some sort. What are everyone's thoughts on oil-based vs. water-based poly as a top coat? Thanks in advance for your input and advice!
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Minimum of three coats of a water based polyurethane. More if you choose. Dries clear and does not yellow over time. Oil based has a yellow cast and does yellow over time. Both are equally durable.
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You could see if marine poly would yellow over time. It is made for moist conditions that boats, docks, etc. see all the time and lasts for years if you use multiple coats. My father refinished a number of pieces of furniture in the seventies and eighties that he and my mom inherited from numerous relatives. He put poly top coats on all of them, the number of coats depended on how much use and abuse the various pieces would get in real life. He probably did three or four coats on the claw foot table that was his mom's. I have had that piece for probably over twenty years and it still looks like he just refinished it. It cleans up easily with just water, is very durable, but as with anything you use as a top coat, care needs to be taken and not cut on it or put hot things directly on it. I have two bookcases, my great grandmothers desk, a knick-knack shelf, an old fashioned all wood kids school desk and a couple of other things he refinished and all but one short three legged stool look fantastic. The stool has been used and abused by my kids and now my grand kids, so it does look a little rough. Poly is great and my dads hard work shows that it is since almost all the pieces he did look so great after so many years of use.
I would use oil, but it does yellow,a bit. If working in warm or dark tones itvwont matter.
Hi Mia! I can tell you how to paint your counter tops with Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint :)
It is super easy to paint with Dixie Belle. You can seal with Gator Hide!
Step one: Clean with White Lightning
Step two: Apply two coats of Slick Stick
Step three: Paint one to two coats of Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint
Step four: Use Gator Hide for a water-repellent finish
No sanding required!
Here's a great blog about painting counter tops https://www.leahnoelldesignco.com/counter-top-update/
If you ever need help or have any questions you can feel free to call us at 813-909-1962 during business hours. We have a full staff here eager to help you!
We have an awesome group on FB that gives you all kinds of help if you are interested. click here to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FriendsWhoLikeDixieBellePaint/
Whatever you opt to use, make sure it’s food safe.
Oil based will yellow with time.