Countertops and Dust Rhinos

 

After a week of 80 degree days all week, we got a yuk weekend of drizzle, clouds and cold temperatures. Sounds like a drag, right? No way! How do you create your own fun at home with the DH? You paint your kitchen counters. You KNOW he was excited. 

You may remember the green countertops bane of my existence that are on every vanity and kitchen surface in my home. Well, I’ve been here for almost 7 years and it is time to banish the Leprechaun from Casa Dharma. Don’t you just love the scroll design on the green? Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh.

I also had been drooling over the tutorial from Jenna at SAS Interiors. Her tips came in mighty handy!! Her product kit and mine differ because we have a different option up here in Canada but the tips and tricks were priceless. Here is my kit, the Countertop Refinishing Kit. The one Jenna used was a Countertop Transformations Kit. That kit costs $249 CAD.So when I saw a deal on at my local Home Hardware from $199 to $149 CAD, I said “Self, get thee to HH.” This kit is enough to cover 50 sq ft. My kitchen counters measured 43 sq ft. Here is where you hope the manufacturer
is not pulling your chain!

I chose to use the black finish to match the almost-stainless appliances and my new greige hoodfan. Here is
where we started on Saturday at 9 a.m.

No one could have prepared me for the ICK-Factor during the removal of my appliances. Um, note to self. Do that more than once every couple years, yo! Bunnies, meet dust-rhinos.

There is a major investment of time and inconvenience involved in this project. I don’t suggest this one for anyone with little patience or little kids. Kidding….but not about the patience part. Oy vey. There are a lot of steps, mucho drying time stops and starts and it is picky-picky. However, that being said, if I can do it. You can do it.

First up, clean, tape, protect cabinets and sinks etc.  Then onto scuff/sand your surface area.

Then it is on to the base coat. Dry. Second base coat. Dry. Now 3pm.

Then it is time to put on your stonecoat finish. This is messy and does not look so hot. Hang in there.

Second coat on at 7pm. That’s looking better, right?

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnddddddddddddddd…………………….now we dry. Overnight.

Wake up at 8:10 a.m. and stumble downstairs. Thank all that is holy for a man who makes coffee in the morning. Get yourself together, Dharma and start sanding the surface of your new stonecoated countertops, cause that sounds fun on a Sunday before noon, right? Right? This was my idea. Sand.

The stone flecks in the paint are exposed and they range in colour and size. The effect is pretty realistic really. I was a bit surprised how good it looked.

Now the fun part. Clear coat, dry, clear coat and leave it alone for 24 hours. Order Chinese food

We decided to put the appliances back before the end of the day. Here is a bit of a sneak peek. We have paint touchups and silicone to complete tomorrow. Then back to reloading my kitchen with crap.

A reminder of our Before and After:

And I’m dust rhino free to boot, I won’t have to clean under the appliances for another 4 years.