Ok - Since my last blog about the bathroom counter in 2015, I've done plenty more!
Here's my sister's bathroom counter:
BEFORE
AFTER
I had to leave (out of town before the hardware was installed.
My mom's kitchen counters:
BEFORE
AFTER
And our bar area.
All were completed using the same process and paints, just in different quantities. Here's a close-up of the variety:
Since I've no idea how to do an attachment to this post, I'm copy/pasting instructions here. I will say that
I take no responsibility in the outcome of any countertops that are done following these instructions unless I actually do the countertops myself (or they look fabulous!) so use at your own risk!
How to Paint Countertops and
apply Envirotex coating
·
Countertops will be unusable for a minimum of
48 hours; longer is better for curing.
·
Plan to pour the Envirotex during the day with
sunlight so the product is easier to see when applied. You will be looking for
coverage and bubbles.
o
Prepping and painting the counters on Friday
night and pouring them on Saturday is a good plan!
·
No matter how careful you are, you will likely
get Envirotex on your clothing. Wear what you don’t mind ruining.
·
Envirotex runs and is weighty in quantity. It
will weigh down the plastic that it runs onto so you must protect everything
that you do not want it on – cabinetry, floors, etc. – with plastic, cardboard
and tape. (You cannot have TOO much!)
·
You must pour Envirotex on any continuous
countertop at one time. If you have a large area (6’ or greater), have more
than one person so you don't have to rush.
·
There is not a really bad smell from the
Envirotex, but opening a window would not be a bad idea. Be careful that
nothing will be blowing/sucked in on your pour though.
·
Envirotex will add about 1/8” height on
countertop.
Supply list
Cleaning:
Cleaning products, sandpaper
(optional)
Tools to remove sink:
Screwdriver, scraper
Prep:
3-4” masking tape
Large heavy-duty trash bags or plastic (MUST be
thick)
Cardboard
Paint:
Kilz
Small paint roller
Variety of paint colors – black, brown, beige,
cream, white (stay with neutrals)
1-2 small bottles of each
color (I used Walmart craft paint)
Keep in mind that the
Envirotex may ‘yellow’ the look slightly in a few years
Styrofoam plate for each paint color (plus a few extra)
Plastic bags to wad up and use as ‘sponges’;
turn inside out if they have ink printed on them so it doesn’t transfer
Plastic gloves to keep your hands paint free are handy
(pun intended!)
Paintbrush or actual sea
sponge for veining (optional)
Martha Stewart fine silver glitter (I have a
bottle that will last forever because it doesn’t take much but gives depth to
the countertop!)
Metallic flakes (I have a package that will last forever!
Again, doesn’t take much but looks great!)
Tweezers
Glue
Envirotex:
Envirotex
TWO buckets for EACH section of counter top
(get these at the dollar store)
Two paint sticks for each section of counter
Measuring cup for each section of counter (also
get from the dollar store)
4” foam brushes for each person and each
section
Timer (phone timer works)
Heat gun/blow torch/straws – fire is not really
needed. It is the carbon dioxide that pops bubbles so blowing in a straw works
fine.)
1.
Prep areas
a.
Sink area
i.
Remove everything under sinks
ii.
Turn off water
iii.
Remove sink
iv.
Clean any caulking off of sink edge
b.
Counter tops
i.
Remove everything sitting on counters
ii.
May lightly sand countertop then wipe (I only
did this the first countertop that I did)
iii.
Wash so they are clean and let dry
iv.
Roll on Kilz (or other primer) with sponge
roller. (I just poured some on the counter and rolled around – no tray)
c.
Cover the cabinets, floor and everything in
sight with heavy plastic, cardboard and tape including the front of all
counters, floor, under sink area
i.
Put masking tape on the wall at wall/counter
seam. Use beige on the wall and plan to apply paint up on it at least 1 inch –
it will become part of your counter. Recommend 3-4” wide on backsplash area for
extra protection
ii.
Tape plastic under the edge of all counters –
do this well. You do not want this to peel off in the middle of your project!
iii.
Tape seams to join plastic pieces
iv.
Cover everything well that you do not want
ruined or epoxied!
2.
‘Sponge’ on colors
a.
Determine what you want your “primary” color to
be – black, brown or white; this will be the majority of your color, but you
will use a variety of colors to give depth
b.
Ensure you apply paints to the entire counter,
counter facing and attached backsplash if it is all ‘one piece’. Also put paint
on the tape at the seam of the counter/backsplash as a bit of this will become
part of the finished product.
c.
When dabbing/sponging, it is difficult to mess
it up.
i.
Start with black paint and dab a variety of
other colors, then more of your “primary” some black over it parts of it. Keep layering the colors until you get the
look you want. At first it looks like a pre-schooler played in the paint, but
it changes looks as you add paint colors. Splotch colors partly on top of each
other as real marble blends some. Don’t stress over it - once you add the
glitter and Envirotex, you won't even notice it.
ii.
Look
at it from afar (2-3’ away) and angles from different parts of the room to see
if there is ‘balance’ among colors. You don’t want anything to really stick out
like a big missed area of color. It should look “blended”.
d.
If
you want large 'veins', make them with a little artist brush or sponge edge
after finished dabbing on all colors. Use whatever color you like for the
veining.
i.
Sponge
over a little so they looked recessed.
e.
If
you are doing more than one counter in an area, you will want to paint all of
them at one time so there is consistency and being able to use same supplies.
i.
Although
all counter pieces are painted at the same time, the Envirotex is mixed, poured
and manipulated for each section
separately.
3.
Add Glitter
a.
Sprinkle Martha Stewart silver glitter
everywhere while the paint is still a little tacky. Use as little or much as
you’d like.
b.
While some (guys) may not want glitter, it adds
depth and sparkle which brings the counter to life and there is not a lot of
shine/sparkle that comes through.
4.
Add few pieces of metallic foil
a.
Choose your foil pieces and place them where you
want to glue down
b.
Apply a small amount of glue to that area then
put the foil on top of it.
c.
You must glue it down or it will move and/or
float in the Envirotex
d.
Randomly place every foot or so
5.
Assemble everything for the pour while the
paint dries.
a.
Clean up extra supplies, etc. to get them out
of the way
b.
Have heat gun/lighter or straws available to
pop bubbles
Applying Envirotex
NOTE: If this is the first time you’ve done
this, complete the smallest section first so you can practice. You will need a
separate set of supplies for each counter top area. Do not reuse buckets, paint sticks, etc.
1.
Make sure everything still covered with
plastic.
2.
Follow the directions to mix Envirotex and pour
on first counter section starting about 2/3 of the way back on the counter. You
will be pulling/pushing the liquid around quickly.
a.
Use a 4” disposable craft sponge brush to move
Envirotex around to all the edges and corners of counter top.
i.
Make sure it is spread to cover all areas by getting
your eye down to counter level to see if there are any low spots or dry spots.
It is self-leveling and will start to set after about ten minutes.
b.
If you have an attached backsplash, keep
brushing up the excess onto the backsplash and less and less will pool as it begins
to dry. You don't need as thick a coat on the backsplash - you just need enough
to get the glossy look and make sure all of the backsplash is covered.
c.
Pull sparingly to the front edges and swipe the
front at least once to ensure there are no dry spots. There will be some
dripping and this may be slightly textured when dry.
ii.
You will randomly brush under the edges to minimize
dripping off. Put excess back onto the flat surface until it starts to set.
Once it starts to set, wipe brush into a bucket.
iii.
You will end up with dried drips on the
underside. These can be sanded off or knocked off with a chisel/hammer once
cured.
3.
RESIST the urge to fix a spot or level
something out if it has begun to set – about 7-10 minutes
Curing:
1.
After about 24 hours, you can remove plastic,
tape and other protective measures. However
it is not cured, so do not set anything on the counter.
2.
Let cure for three days.
a.
You will likely need a knife to cut the tape
under counter and along back splash.
a.
Reinstall sink
3.
Treat the countertop as you would laminate.
a.
Do not put hot dishes/pans on the counter; use
pot holders
b.
Don’t cut directly on the counter; use a
cutting board
c.
Pick dishes up rather than slide them across
the counter, especially if they have a rough bottom such as stoneware.
d.
If there is an indention left from a warm or
weighted container set on the counter, it should disappear in a day or two.
e.
You will get fine line scratches from normal
use. I’m not sure if they can be buffed out or not. (Can call the company to
ask if you want) Generally, you will be the only one to notice these anyway!
Good
luck!
