Painting Techniques for Countertops With Epoxy

Thoroughly clean your counter tops. Because kitchen counters get used so heavily, they may have a buildup of grease and grime, which must be removed for paint to properly adhere to them. Use a grease-cutting detergent to scrub the counter tops. After you've wiped the detergent off, follow up with an application of rubbing alcohol to ensure that all contaminants have been removed.

Roughen up the counter tops to give the paint a variable surface to adhere to. The easiest way to do this is to use a power sander with a fine-grit (220) sandpaper. If you don't have a power sander, however, you can still complete this step with a piece of sand paper and your own elbow grease.

Apply primer to the counter tops. When you purchase your primer, ask the store to tint it to the color you will be using for your epoxy topcoat. When the primer is tinted, the end result is a deeper, richer color. After applying the first coat of primer, allow it to dry for an hour and then apply one more coat. Wait for the primer to dry completely before proceeding with the next step.

Mix the epoxy paint just before you intend to use it. Epoxy paint cannot be mixed at the store because the chemical reactions are time-sensitive. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for mixing the epoxy. In most cases, mix Part B with Part A and stir until the two parts are thoroughly combined.

Apply the epoxy to the primed counter tops. Synthetic brushes and foam rollers work best for applying epoxy to counter tops. Work quickly because epoxy dries quickly. Once you have finished the first coat, wait one hour before applying the next coat. If you want to add durability to your counter tops, add a third coat.

Allow the epoxy to cure for 1 week before you begin using your counter tops. During the curing week, keep the counter tops free from objects such as dishes, appliances and papers. Also, don't allow the counter tops to be wet during the curing week. After the week is over, seal the counter tops with a food safe sealer. Allow the sealer to dry overnight before using your counter tops as normal.