How to Refinish Kitchen & Bathroom Countertops

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

There are several items you will likely use during a countertop refinishing project:

• Protective gear (goggles, face mask, etc.)
• Strong fans
• Abrasive scrubbing pad
• A strong cleaning product
• Sandpaper
• Tack cloth
• Short nap paint roller
• Angled paint brush
• Countertop coating product

You may have to gather additional supplies if the countertop surface is damaged and needs to be repaired.

Step 2: Remove the Faucet & Drain

Using a strong cleaning product and abrasive scrubbing pad, clean the surface of the countertop to remove all dirt, grease, and stains. Make sure the countertop is as clean as possible.
Rinse the counter and let it dry completely.

Step 3: Clean the Countertop

Using a strong cleaning product and abrasive scrubbing pad, clean the surface of the countertop to remove all dirt, grease, and stains. Make sure the countertop is as clean as possible.

Rinse the counter and let it dry completely.

Step 4: Repair Surface Damage

If the countertop has minor cosmetic issues like nicks, scratches, scrapes, or gouges, repair the damage. Keep in mind that kitchen or bathroom countertops with severe damage may not be a good candidate for the refinishing process.

Step 5: Sand the Countertop

With the sandpaper, scrub the countertop all over until the surface feels a little rough. This roughening process makes it easier for the coating product to stick onto the surface.
Remove all the resulting dust with a tack cloth.

Step 6: Apply the Coating Product

First, ventilate the bathroom or kitchen by setting up strong fans to suck fumes outside.
Then, apply a thin layer of the coating product. Use the short nap roller to paint most of the surface and the angled brush to paint the edges and hard-to-reach spots. Don’t forget to take your time and use a small amount of product for each layer, because layers that are too thick will bubble up.
The countertop may require a few layers of coating product. Make sure the surface dries completely before you apply the next coat. It may take about one to two hours of drying time each round.

Step 7: Wait for the Surface to Cure

After you have applied the top protective coat, let the surface dry completely. The surface must cure for at least two or three days before it can be safely used.

Step 8: Replace the Faucet & Drain

When the countertop is cured, replace the faucet and drain and give the surface one last wipe-down. Then, it’s ready for the homeowners to use and enjoy.