Refinished Counter Tops With Paper

5 Days
Remove edging of Formica counters...it they are preformed androunded you will have to paper over the edge and smooth it to the bottom edge. Cleancounter tops thoroughly and fill any divots or holes. Take craft paper(scrunched and torn or cut into pieces depending on your style) soaked it in 2parts water 1 part while glue...smoothed onto counters and over the edge. (Don'tsmooth so much you lose the scrunched look unless you want a more or a smoothlook). Cut paper along the wall if it needs it and along the bottom edge. Layeruntil you get the look you want. Once it is dried stain to your color choosing.Put a couple of layers of poly and then sand lightly to smooth and place a1" stained edge piece and add a couple more layer of poly. Be careful notto place hot pot on counter...I put a large decorative trivet where I usuallyput hop pots. You can try this on a piece of wood first until you get the hangof it and the color of stain you want...the paper takes stain differently thanwood... you could also color wash it with paint. It does take about a week, just because of the drying time between coats of poly.
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  • Angi Angi on Jan 11, 2019

    Still waiting for more details instructions? Or did I miss them?

  • Nan Skipper Nan Skipper on Jan 24, 2019

    Not all of the instructions are listed...could you please post the rest?

    My countertops are waiting

  • Alex Alex on Apr 04, 2019

    very nice job! Did you use polycrylic or polyurethane?

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  • Paula Bois-Brady Paula Bois-Brady on Feb 13, 2017
    You can use white paper bags or blank news paper to get a lighter color.
  • Mary Cali Wood Mary Cali Wood on Jan 04, 2019

    I did this on a old, small table using ripped book pages and sealed with three coats of polyurethane and on kitchen counters using classical and classic rock sheet music and also sealed with three coats of polyurethane. That was three years ago and the counter top is still in good shape. Might put another sealing coat on when I get the urge. The polyurethane did change the color a bit but I wasn't bothered by that.

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    • Jessica Blackwell Lewis Jessica Blackwell Lewis on Mar 22, 2020

      I am trying to do this with my kids artwork but I’m having trouble getting the paper to stick. Do I soak the paper with 2 part water and 1 part glue (what type glue)? Then lay on countertop and cover with poly? Thanks for your time

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