How to Paint Formica Countertops

Co-authored by James Guth

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 References Approved

Formica is a brand name laminate material made from hard plastic. Because it's durable and easy to care for, Formica is often used for floors, tables, countertops, cupboards, and other surfaces that get a lot of wear. While replacing countertops may not be in your budget, if you're looking to do some remodelling in your kitchen or bathroom, you can actually paint your Formica counters to give them a brand new look.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Cleaning the Countertop

1
Gather your cleaning supplies. There are several things you'll need to clean a Formica countertop before painting, because you have to remove grease and sand the surface before you can paint. To clean and prepare the counter, you'll need:
- Bucket
- Grease-cutting cleanser
- Sponge or scrub pad
- 150-grit sandpaper
- Vacuum
- Damp rag or cloth
- Dry rag or cloth
2
Clear everything off the counter. In order to paint your counter properly, you need to completely clear the surface.^{[1]
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Research source} Remove any appliances, dinnerware, food, storage containers, plants, and decorations that are on the counter and store them elsewhere.
- You can store items in cupboards, pantries, on the kitchen table, or in the basement or garage.
- Do not store items on the floor around where you'll be working.
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3
Remove the sink. To protect the sink from paint and cleaning products, it's best to remove the sink from the counter. Start by shutting off the water supply to the sink. Before you remove the sink, you'll also have to remove the faucet.^{[2]
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- Use a wrench to unscrew the nuts attaching the faucet to the water supply. Remove the pipe, unscrew the nuts holding the faucet in place, and remove the faucet.
- Use a screwdriver to remove the long screws attaching the sink to the counter.
- Disconnect the sink from the water supply and drain pipes.
- Loosen the sink from the counter with a screwdriver if necessary, and remove the sink.
- If removing the sink isn't an option, cover the basin and sides of the sink with plastic, and tape the plastic in place.
4
Wipe down the counter with a degreasing cleanser. With a sponge or scrubbing pad, clean the entire surface of your counter with a grease-fighting cleanser.^{[3]
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Research source} When you're done, wipe the counter down with a clean, damp rag to remove leftover dirt, grease, and cleanser. Then wipe the counter with a dry rag and let it air dry for 30 minutes. Good grease-fighting cleansers for this job include:
- Trisodium phosphate: In a bucket, mix ½ cup (4 ounces) of TSP with ½ gallon (1.9 L) of water
- Denatured alcohol
- Ammonia-based cleaners, such as oven, all-purpose, and glass and window cleaners
5
Sand the counter.^{[4]
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Expert Source

James Guth
Painting Specialist
Expert Interview. 21 July 2020.} One problem with painting Formica is that it's smooth and slippery, so the best way to get paint to adhere is to make the surface rougher.^{[5]
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Expert Source

James Guth
Painting Specialist
Expert Interview. 21 July 2020.} You can do this easily with sandpaper. Use a piece of 150-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge.^{[6]
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- Rub the entire surface with the sandpaper or sponge. Apply even pressure with the sandpaper. Don't forget corners, edges, and crevices.
6
Vacuum and clean the area. Once you've gone over the entire counter with sandpaper, vacuum the area to pick up dust and dirt that was left behind by the sanding. Then, wipe the whole surface down with a damp cloth.
- Dry the surface with a dry cloth, and then allow the counter to sit for at least 30 minutes to air dry completely.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Painting the Formica

1
Gather your painting supplies. To paint the countertop, you will need primer, paint, and a few tools to help you apply the paint and protect surrounding surfaces. The tools you'll need include:
- Paint tray
- Paint roller
- Medium paint brush
- Two foam roller brushes
- Painter's tape
2
Choose the right paint. Painting a Formica countertop isn't like painting other surfaces. The main problem is that countertops get a lot of use and endure tons of abuse. Because of this, you need an incredibly durable paint. You can choose any color or style that you like, but look for a durable paint that's suitable for Formica, such as:
- Two-part epoxy paints that are water-based^{[7]
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- Laminate paint kits
- Interior acrylic paint
- Interior oil-based alkyd paints
3
Tape and cover adjacent surfaces. To protect nearby surfaces from paint and splatter, tape off anything touching the surface you'll be painting. This could include walls, cabinets, and the backsplash.
- Good painting tapes include green tape, blue tape, and masking tape.^{[8]
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4
Ventilate the room. Before you start priming or painting, open a window and set up a fan to blow air around the room. The fumes from the primer and paint can be dangerous, so keep the room well-ventilated throughout the entire painting project.^{[9]
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5
Apply two coats of primer. If you're not using a two-part paint with a built-in primer, it's important to prime the surface of the counter top before painting. The best kind of primer for your counter is a shellac.^{[10]
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Expert Source

James Guth
Painting Specialist
Expert Interview. 21 July 2020.} Try to match the color of the primer with the color you've chosen for the countertop.^{[11]
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- Pour your primer into the paint tray. Fit a roller with a clean roller brush and roll it in the primer. Wipe off excess primer on the tray.
- Cover the entire surface of the counter with a thin layer of primer. Use the brush to get into cracks and to manoeuvre around edges.
- Wait about three hours for the paint to dry, then repeat. Check the manufacturer's instructions on the paint can for precise drying times.
6
Apply the paint. When the primer has fully dried, you can apply the paint. Pour the paint into a clean paint tray. Fit a roller with a clean, dry roller brush. Dip the brush into the paint and saturate it completely. Roll off excess paint onto the tray.
- Go over the entire surface of the counter with a thin layer of paint. Use the brush to paint around edges, in cracks, and in hard-to-reach areas.
- Allow the paint to dry, according to the manufacturer's instructions. This is usually about three hours.
- Once the first layer is dry, apply a second and third coat if necessary.
7
Remove the tape. As soon as you've painted the final coat, remove the painter's tape. By removing the tape when the paint is still wet, you'll prevent paint from drying onto the tape and peeling off with the tape.^{[12]
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- To remove the tape, gently pull it toward yourself at a 45-degree angle.
8
Replace the sink when the paint is dry. Once the paint has dried, after 24 to 72 hours (check the manufacturer's instructions), replace the sink. Fit the sink back into it's basin, reconnect the plumbing, screw the clamp screws back in place, and reconnect the faucet.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Caring for a Painted Countertop

1
Give the paint time to cure. Depending on the type of paint you used for your countertop, curing time could take anywhere from a couple hours to several days or even longer than a week. During this time, it's important that you don't put anything heavy on the counter, don't get it wet, don't have food near or on it, and avoid disturbing it as much as possible.
- If you don't give the paint time to cure, it could smudge, get dented or marked, or not adhere properly to the surface.
- Check the paint can for the manufacturer's instructions regarding curing time for the paint you used.
2
Don't cut directly on the counter. Whenever your cutting or chopping, always use a cutting board to protect the paint and the counter surface. This will prevent scratches, chipping paint, and other dings and marks.
- To protect your knives and keep them sharper for longer, use wood cutting boards instead of plastic, bamboo, or glass.^{[13]
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3
Use heat mats. Heat mats will protect both the paint and the laminate from damage. Never put a hot pot or item directly on the counter, and always place a trivet or heat mat on the counter first. The same applies in the bathroom, and you should never put hot styling tools directly on the painted counter.
- Hot items can burn or melt the paint, leave scorch marks on the laminate, warp the counter, and separate components within the Formica.^{[14]
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4
Avoid abrasive cleaning products. Use sponges and cloths, and clean the counter with liquid cleaners and soaps when necessary. Avoid scrubbing pads and harsh powder cleansers that could strip the paint from the surface.^{[15]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

What paint will stick to formica?

James Guth
Painting Specialist
James Guth is the co-owner and founder of Chesapeake Painting Services LLC. With over 20 years of experience, James specializes in exterior and interior painting, drywall, powerwashing, wallpaper, staining, sealing, and carpentry. James holds a BS in Economics and Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Towson University

James Guth

Painting Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Yes, but you'll need to thoroughly sand the surface and use a shellac primer before painting to help it stick.
Question

We painted our old harvest gold formica countertops white followed by a polyurethane sealer, and three days later they are yellow. Could it be from a chemical reaction between the latex paint and the sealer we used?

Community Answer

Polyurethane has a yellow hue to it because I think it is mainly meant for wood. I learned this the hard way, painting it over 2 beautifully painted end tables. I have found one polyurethane that is clear, but water-based, and not as durable. I would not use it on a countertop.
Question

Will this work on cabinets too?

Community Answer

Yes, it will. The steps described above will work for painting any Formica or laminate surface, including cupboards and floors. The important things are to clean the surface, sand, apply a primer, and use the right paint.