Asked on Aug 17, 2016

Have any of you ever painted formica counter tops?

Linda Cabler
by Linda Cabler
I am working on a client's kitchen. She wants to paint the formica cabinet tops. Have any of you ever done this? I have seen pictures of where it is done but have not tried to do it yet.
  10 answers
  • Judy Maranger Judy Maranger on Aug 18, 2016
    I was told by the owner of ReThunk Junk, a paint company, like chalk, but not chalk paint, that she does not recommend painting countertops. She said they get too much use. Having said that, I am contemplating painting mine using Rust-Oleum's Countertop Transformations. It is three-step process and they claim it is durable. My daughter painted her countertops and said they turned out beautiful. She lives several states away, so I have not seen them in person, but the pictures look nice. Hope this helps.
  • Judy Maki Judy Maki on Aug 18, 2016
    I did see a countertop at a store that was painted with Rustoleum and it was still in very good condition. They told me it had been there for 10 years. I did toy with using the paint for my countertops but the colors are limited so I decided to go with laminate. We glued the laminate over the existing and it turned out pretty well. The hardest parts are taking out the sink and the edges which needs decent cutting skills. I have about 30 feet of counterspace and the cost was about $300.
  • Ann Smith Ann Smith on Aug 18, 2016
    Don't think I'd use the $ or time to find out....JMO. I have tiled over Formica with excellent results.....
  • Patty McDonald Haas Patty McDonald Haas on Aug 18, 2016
    I used a kit I purchased online to change out our countertop last October and it looks wonderful.
  • Kmk7689753 Kmk7689753 on Aug 18, 2016
    I paid for mine to be done and you have to be very careful if you scratch it its all over its not worth it. Lot of time and money gone.
  • Linda Cabler Linda Cabler on Aug 18, 2016
    Thanks everyone for the replies. I did find out there is a special paint to do this with. He didn't want to tile over it. Trying to get by as light as he can so he can sell the house. I think he needs to paint the cabinets and add new tops but that is out it seems.
  • Sandra Smith Sandra Smith on Aug 19, 2016
    there is a post on here somewhere where someone painted theirs to look like granite I followed the instructions and did my spare bathroom vanity top & I love it ,basically rough it up paint a primer on it then use acrylic paint sponge it on I used 6 colors then put several coats of poly acrylic over it drying between coats it turned out great
  • Linda Cabler Linda Cabler on Aug 19, 2016
    My friend did hers with a gray paint and then blotted it with black and dipped a piece of small rope into the black paint and just threw it onto the cabinet top. It wound up looking like marble. Cant see myself trying that tho. I'm not that articulate.