How well does an epoxied kitchen counter hold up?

Emily: your counter tops appear to be in good shape. I would not mess with them! (Maybe paint cabinets for a new look.)

Personally, if I didn't like my countertops I would save money to replace them. In the long run, I don't think contact paper, even epoxied, would hold up that well.

I agree. I'd focus on cabinets I stead of counters. It's not easy and doesn't hold up like the original tops.

I have very similar countertops to your, and they are not in such good shape as yours. I have thought long and hard about epoxy, there have been many stellar examples that I would just love. Personally I do not think epoxy would not hold up with the things I put my stove through, I love to do home canning and need a countertop that up to that.

We plan to replace ours, sometime soon, I hope. Not sure with what yet, but not epoxy.

Your cabinets are on the pale side, a bit more stain would add more character, another thought would be to add to the backsplash.

If you are unhappy with the way your countertops look, save up and replace as Ann suggested, a good idea.

Best to you.

Hello there,

I personally would not use contact paper on worktops, but if you do - USE Surface surface Savers to cut on and stand pots on, or Trivets!!

Hi Emily, I would say use the contact paper but use, large clear glass cutting boards as work surfaces to preserve the finish, also for placing hot pots, etc. One thing you can do is paint the coutertops, I did that and it lasted 10 years! Here's how I did it.

Lightly sand to rough the countertop up

Go to your paint store, tell them what you are painting, they will pick the proper paint and primer for you, you can even get the primer tinted for a better coverage

Once you have sanded, clean with TSP, then rinse and dry thoroughly,

Apply your primer coat, let it dry according to the instructions

Once the primer coat is dry, apply your paint coat, I would apply 2 or 3 as it will be stronger and thicker

Once your coats dry, you can apply a matte clear coat, either by spry or roll on, keep a small container of it under your sink for touch ups, I had my counters like this for 12 years, until I could afford new ones.

I used a few uncolored glass cutting boards for protection. It held up very well. And only costs you the prices of the materials.

Good luck!

I think that it will get messed up from the heat eventually

I have heard it holds up well but haven't tried it.

I have heard mixed reviews but I don't have any info first hand.

I don't think it will be durable, but, if you want to try it, how about doing it on a piece of wood, first and use it as a trivet and see how it works for you. Good luck and stay well!

I can’t imagine that contact paper coated in epoxy would hold up. The paper could peel and the epoxy might wear. You’d have to find food safe epoxy as well. If you like the look of concrete counters, you can use a skim coat concrete over them. Far less arduous and expensive.

The epoxy won't hold up to warm or hot pans or plateware

You can paint the countertop with a paint kit.

https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=paint%20countertop

I agree with others who have noted that the countertops look to be in good shape.

You risk having a big mess if you try to transform them.

To inject some new life into the kitchen, my suggestions are to add some colourful knobs or handles to the cupboards, and paint the backsplash wall a brighter color. These changes are easy to redo if they do not meet with satisfaction.

Hello Emily,

Just to let you know I did use contacted paper on my counter tops, and yes it was a quick fix, it lasted 2 years. I did put 2 coats of blue can poly on it. It was wonderful, fyi I cook ever night I use my counters all the time . After the 2 years pulled the paper up. Now I have decided to paint them, I primed. Latex gray paint for the base, white, gray, tan, acrylic paint. A little glitter 3 coats of blue can poly, ready to go for another couple of years. To be honest the was cheaper painting the counter tops was cheaper than the contact paper. And looks beautiful. The look like marble. I love it. Good luck to you.

I've used epoxy on a bathroom countertop. Check out my projects to see how I did it. I didn't use contact paper, painted instead. The countertop is holding up just fine. Just keep in mind, expoxy yellows overtime. Epoxy is not food safe. As with any countertop, use trivets, hot plates and cutting boards.

I have painted 6 counter tops over the years and they hold up for years and years. Three years ago I painted kitchen counter top then "blew" those garage floor speckles into the wet paint. Though the top is somewhat textured it does not cause problems with anything you sit on it and looks great. I've also used a piece of plastic wrap and made a leather texture on a bathroom counter top. Recently I painted a bathroom counter top in an enamel cooper colored paint. Paint is an inexpensive way to redo counter tops. Here's how I did it:

1. clean counter tops well
2. two coats of primer (I used Sherwin Williams Extreme Bond)
3. coat of base color (I used Sherwin Williams Pro Classic)
4. second coat of base color (this is where I blew the speckles in or used my plastic wrap)
5. 4 coats of Helmsmans Spar Varnish
6. Lightly sand between coats
7. (Helmsmans is a waterproof varnish and even the clear will "amber" lighter colors so a good water base clear varnish could be used)