Hendersonville, TN · Member since 2017 · 5 posts · 9 votes
I'm looking to refinish an older countertop in a short term rental property. I'm not looking to refinish to anything fancy - it's currently an off-white and am wanting to convert to white. I've searched for paint and refinishing products, which all seem to be pretty expensive. Can someone tell me the best paint/kit to purchase that's not extremely high on price?
Crystal River, FL · Member since 2017 · 68 posts · 56 votes
7y
@Tabitha Wheeler I tried to paint my countertops with a Porter product called Breakthrough. It worked great for the cabinets but isnt holding up well after a couple months on the counters. It gets scratched up but worse it's just hard to clean the grease off. It's become sticky. So I went to home depot and bought black granite tile on sale for $3/sq ft. I also bought a $100 wet tile saw and some diamond abrasive pads to polish the edges. All in for about $400 should look great when I'm done and last for a while.
Flipper/Rehabber · Brandon, MS · Member since 2017 · 30 posts · 7 votes
7y
I haven’t been able to get those paint kits to look as advertised. I’m interested as to which kits people have used as well. Keep us posted how yours turns out
Architect · Papillion, NE · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 840 votes
7y
You are better off to replace the countertop with plastic laminate that any paints out there. You would want a food grade safe paint or epoxy and this is were it gets pricy.
Hendersonville, TN · Member since 2017 · 5 posts · 9 votes
7y
We decided to use Rust-oleum Countertop Coating and it turned out great! It was quick and only required about 2 coats (keep in mind this was for a rental). Here are the before/after photos.
Rental Property Investor · Jersey City, NJ · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 876 votes
7y
I'd use tile long before I'd consider painting, it's only a matter of time before it looks like crap again. And better than regular tile is granite tile, cheap and immortal.
Rental Property Investor · Upstate, NY · Member since 2012 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
7y
@Tabitha Wheeler I'd be interested in the paint used on the cabinets. We have been using a product that's running $35/quart. Amazing stuff but expensive for cheap cabinets.
We did have an older unit with rust-oleum counter tops but it hadn't weathered well.
They even painted the old white fridge with rust-oleum Stainless.
Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
7y
I would never paint a countertop. It takes too much contact for paint to hold up over time. Just bite the bullet and put in some granite. It won't cost that much and will be fully installed by pros in an hour. Then you won't have to worry about it for another 15 years.
Rental Property Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2018 · 189 posts · 141 votes
7y
@Tabitha Wheeler I hope it last. I did this once in my personal house. About a week later i just went ahead and replaced them, I used rustolium as well.
Smell was horrible, also everytime I throw my keys on the counter it made a small knick.
Real Estate Agent · Southington, CT · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
7y
Am I the only one who has never heard of painting a countertop before? I am curious how much cheaper this is than having a laminate or formica countertop installed from Lowe's or HD? Anyone have any experience with how long these painted countetops hold up time wise?
Crystal River, FL · Member since 2017 · 68 posts · 56 votes
7y
@Tabitha Wheeler I tried to paint my countertops with a Porter product called Breakthrough. It worked great for the cabinets but isnt holding up well after a couple months on the counters. It gets scratched up but worse it's just hard to clean the grease off. It's become sticky. So I went to home depot and bought black granite tile on sale for $3/sq ft. I also bought a $100 wet tile saw and some diamond abrasive pads to polish the edges. All in for about $400 should look great when I'm done and last for a while.
Real Estate Investor · Williamson County, TX · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 961 votes
7y
@Tabitha Wheeler Very nice! What is the recommended time to fully cure? I would-be tempted to provide a wooden chopping block for the first tenant at least.
Rental Property Investor · Charlotte · Member since 2019 · 70 posts · 34 votes
6y
@Tabitha Wheeler I'd love to hear how the painted countertops are holding up? They look great in the photos that you uploaded.
We are looking to upgrade our rental and I'm thinking of painting the countertops, they are in good condition, I just don't like the shade of green that they are :/
Hendersonville, TN · Member since 2017 · 5 posts · 9 votes
6y
The countertops are still doing great! We've had a renter in the home for a while now and have not had any negative feedback regarding the countertops. Unfortunately, I do not have a photo at this time to upload and show you guys.
Glad it's holding up. I have my doubts it will do very well long term. Even paint on cabinets only lasts 5 years or so before it starts to deteriorate. Less with water based paint. Doesn't mean people repaint them in five years, just doesn't look as nice.
Rental Property Investor · Upstate, NY · Member since 2012 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
6y
Saw one done several months ago by a fellow investor. But the tenant was prone to using spray chlorine & one of those green scrubbing pads to clean the counter tops & the use of a cutting board would have helped prevent compromising the surface. Needles to say it didn't last long. I would assume an epoxy finish would be the answer but that would still suffer from the lack of a cutting board.
Specialist · Plano, TX · Member since 2020 · 2k+ posts · 861 votes
6y
@Tabitha Wheeler they look great. Thank you for sharing your DIY project with us. It sounds like it was fairly simple, but the results are amazing. Great work.