Our 30yo Cal 34 has pretty lousy looking countertops in the galley. There are only a few square feet of laminate, so I really am just looking for a quick fix to pretty them up a bit. Cleaning didn't help at all. I don't want to relaminate them, but was hoping someone can tell me if they've ever tried to paint them and how well did it hold up? I'm thinking I can sand, prime and paint with a gloss enamel, but would like some advice before I attempt to do this. I'm open to any other inexpensive suggestions, too.
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Painting
Marcia, I was thinking of doing the same on my 1976 Islander 28. I've painted some fiberglass and plywood inside the cabin but have not painted the laminate surfaces yet. Please post your results so I can learn too. Phil
Marcia, I was thinking of doing the same on my 1976 Islander 28. I've painted some fiberglass and plywood inside the cabin but have not painted the laminate surfaces yet. Please post your results so I can learn too. Phil
try krylon "fusion" spray
on our past boat, (' 76 hunter 30) we had verticle laminates (yellow) which my wife used this product with fine results. good luck mike
on our past boat, (' 76 hunter 30) we had verticle laminates (yellow) which my wife used this product with fine results. good luck mike
I have painted quite a bit of laminate
and the secret to a successful job is degreasing, using a proper primer, and a good tough top coat. Talk to your local paint supplier (NOT in a big box store) The commercial painters do this frequently.
and the secret to a successful job is degreasing, using a proper primer, and a good tough top coat. Talk to your local paint supplier (NOT in a big box store) The commercial painters do this frequently.
painting
We painted our 70's faux teak countertops several years ago with melamine paint from HD. We sanded, TSP'd and painted (no primer). Looks great and has stuck really really well. Not a chip and I've dropped tools on it. Best $10 I've spent on the boat. Peter
We painted our 70's faux teak countertops several years ago with melamine paint from HD. We sanded, TSP'd and painted (no primer). Looks great and has stuck really really well. Not a chip and I've dropped tools on it. Best $10 I've spent on the boat. Peter
You may not be aware...
There are formica "veneers" that are meant to go over existing countertops. They're thin, so easy to cut with a box knife. It's what I used on my own boat, and it was impossible to tell it wasn't original. It think it would last longer than paint, and be a lot more resistant to scratching too. Check out Lowes, Home Depot and anywhere else that does kitchen remodeling. Since you don't need much, you might even be able to get a remnant at real bargain price. The dealer can tell you how to put it down.
There are formica "veneers" that are meant to go over existing countertops. They're thin, so easy to cut with a box knife. It's what I used on my own boat, and it was impossible to tell it wasn't original. It think it would last longer than paint, and be a lot more resistant to scratching too. Check out Lowes, Home Depot and anywhere else that does kitchen remodeling. Since you don't need much, you might even be able to get a remnant at real bargain price. The dealer can tell you how to put it down.
from a paint expert
Is it possible to paint regular laminate countertops? If so how and how durable is it? — Joanne Dear Joanne, Painting regular laminate is really one of the easiest surfaces to cover. All you will require is some sandpaper (about 80 to 120 grit), trisodiumphosphate (TSP), a high-density foam roller and tray and Melamine Paint. First, you need to sand the laminate surface. This may require a little elbow grease to really remove the gloss of the laminate but it is worth the time it takes to do this as it is integral to long term paint adhesion. Once the surface has been well sanded, wash with TSP, which is a detergent that you mix with water and is good for removing gloss and grease from surfaces (be sure to where gloves when handling TSP). Once you have washed the surface rinse thoroughly with clear water and allow the laminate surface to dry completely. Melamine Paint is a relatively new paint product designed to cover laminate surfaces. It is an oil paint with urethane reinforcement so it does not need a coat of urethane applied on top once it is dry. Melamine creates a hard and durable paint surface but it best to be applied in three thin coats rather than one thick coat. The high-density foam roller is an ideal way to apply Melamine as it will not roll bubbles into the paint so the surface appears smooth and even. For vertical surfaces like cabinet doors, it is best if you remove them and place them on a horizontal surface while painting. For high-traffic counter tops I recommend creating a granite or speckled look with several colours of Melamine applied using a sea sponge. This will help hide any marks or dings that end up on the surface. Be sure to allow the Melamine to completely cure before you put anything heavy on it as this may mark your painted finish. Curing takes around six days. Melamine Paints come in a huge range of colours and are equal in cost to a high quality brand of regular paint. Not all Melamine Paints are created equally, however. Melamine Paint can only be effective with small levels of tint in it as the more tint added to the product the softer the painted surface will be. Purchase only Melamine Paints that are tinted in light or medium colours or that are factory produced as this provides extra hardness due to the manufacturing process. A Melamine Painted finish will last up to several years depending on how hard you are on the painted surface. For roughly fifty dollars you can completely re-colour any laminate surface, which in my mind is an excellent deal!
Is it possible to paint regular laminate countertops? If so how and how durable is it? — Joanne Dear Joanne, Painting regular laminate is really one of the easiest surfaces to cover. All you will require is some sandpaper (about 80 to 120 grit), trisodiumphosphate (TSP), a high-density foam roller and tray and Melamine Paint. First, you need to sand the laminate surface. This may require a little elbow grease to really remove the gloss of the laminate but it is worth the time it takes to do this as it is integral to long term paint adhesion. Once the surface has been well sanded, wash with TSP, which is a detergent that you mix with water and is good for removing gloss and grease from surfaces (be sure to where gloves when handling TSP). Once you have washed the surface rinse thoroughly with clear water and allow the laminate surface to dry completely. Melamine Paint is a relatively new paint product designed to cover laminate surfaces. It is an oil paint with urethane reinforcement so it does not need a coat of urethane applied on top once it is dry. Melamine creates a hard and durable paint surface but it best to be applied in three thin coats rather than one thick coat. The high-density foam roller is an ideal way to apply Melamine as it will not roll bubbles into the paint so the surface appears smooth and even. For vertical surfaces like cabinet doors, it is best if you remove them and place them on a horizontal surface while painting. For high-traffic counter tops I recommend creating a granite or speckled look with several colours of Melamine applied using a sea sponge. This will help hide any marks or dings that end up on the surface. Be sure to allow the Melamine to completely cure before you put anything heavy on it as this may mark your painted finish. Curing takes around six days. Melamine Paints come in a huge range of colours and are equal in cost to a high quality brand of regular paint. Not all Melamine Paints are created equally, however. Melamine Paint can only be effective with small levels of tint in it as the more tint added to the product the softer the painted surface will be. Purchase only Melamine Paints that are tinted in light or medium colours or that are factory produced as this provides extra hardness due to the manufacturing process. A Melamine Painted finish will last up to several years depending on how hard you are on the painted surface. For roughly fifty dollars you can completely re-colour any laminate surface, which in my mind is an excellent deal!
I Used Brightside ...
single part epoxy (left over from another job) and it looks like new after three years. I cleaned it good and wiped it with paint thinner then applied the paint with a chinese brush from Harbor Freight
single part epoxy (left over from another job) and it looks like new after three years. I cleaned it good and wiped it with paint thinner then applied the paint with a chinese brush from Harbor Freight
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