How do I purposely stain my laminate countertops?
by
Michelle J
+11
I know that strawberries will stain it; curry spice will stain it too. The current color is green, the cabinets are white. I am looking for ways to stain the surface and change it to a darker tone - black/brown/grey ish. I know most people don't want to stain their countertops but I would like to use like tea or coffee in concentrated amounts, or maybe go much lighter with just bleach....any ideas? And yes, I have considered just replacing them but this is DIY heaven and I have had so many good ideas from here that I thought someone might have an awesome idea or two about how to purposely and permanently stain the laminate. Thanks.
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The stains on laminate really aren't permanent. They don't soak in. Any stains that appear to be permanent purposely would be splotchy and not last. Painting the countertops is the only solution for something permanent.
https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=%20Laminate%20Countertop
Hi Michelle
Are your counter tops wood or laminate? Since they are green I assume they are not wood. So here is info on how to stain laminate counter tops.
https://www.hunker.com/13415210/how-to-stain-formica-kitchen-countertops
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/stain-formica-kitchen-countertops-24185.html
Roughening up the surface is preparation for paint. Stains need to soak into the substrate. Laminate is heat compressed recycled paper pulp with resins as binders. The only stains that would work would be gel stains since the stay on the surface. Still the laminate would need to be primed.
Why don't you paint them?
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/spray-paint-glaze-kitchen-counter-make-over-31363097
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/q-painting-old-formica-countertops-1822224
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/furniture/faux-granite-painted-counters-with-craft-paint-3068533?expand_all_questions=1
Spray Paint & Glaze Kitchen Counter Make Over
Faux Granite Painted Counters, With Craft Paint!
Painting Old Formica Countertops
Yeah I would paint them. We did ours a while ago...I used ENVIROTEX resin. Totally ok around food and they use it on bar tops. I painted my kitchen countertops with stone spray and made it look granite like. Then poured envirotex resin on top of it. You might want to make a frame for the sides of the countertop because the edges are tricky to get a smooth finish. But whatever you do, cover the lower cabinets with plastic because when it gets poured, it will drip down off the sides. Follow the directions on the box and you will love the result. For a few years after we did it, people thought it was granite. Good Luck! Then you use a blow torch to get all the bubbles out. Follow the envirotex directions on the box. Google tutorials. It's a great product and our countertops have held up for years now. I think we used 5-6 boxes of envirotex for our countertops. Totalling around $300. hope this helps. It definitely has extended our old pink laminate countertops for another 5-6 years before we can afford real granite or quartz. Good Luck!
Paint would be the way to go. Staining it with food won't give good results as the laminate might stain a bit but not with the coverage you want. It also won't last very long and will fade patchy,
Please post your project when you do it.
We changed our laminate with Ardex: https://www.alifeunfolding.com/blog-1/2019/5/28/how-to-diy-a-concrete-bar-top-in-a-weekend
Yes, there are laminate painting kits at DIY big box stores and full line paint stores will sell you the proper primer & epoxy paint.
I would do a two tone effect with a sponge.
What did you decide on? I wanted to do the same thing. I have a very stained and rough small (used to be) white laminate countertop in my bathroom. I had fantasies of further roughing it up then pouring coffee/tea/turmeric on it. Heck, it's kinda beige now so I wouldn't have far to go! Thanks for any suggestions.