This is my #1 most popular post of all time! Everyone wants to know How to Spray Paint Countertops!
Recently I painted our bathroom cabinets a bright white, which made the cream laminate countertops look really sad. We weren’t in the market for new countertops, which meant I turned to my favorite home improvement tool… spray paint! I had to share my simple tutorial with you on how to spray paint countertops!
This is what the countertops looked like before:
I completely taped and tarped the tile, sink, and cabinets around the counters since there is definitely some over-spray.
**Post contains affiliate links** I chose this Rust-oleum “American Accents” stone spray paint. I used exactly one can. I had to shake it up super well or the “stone” particles would start to settle.
This stuff has some STRONG fumes so I had the fan on and the window open. I sprayed about 4 light coats, ensuring to hit the sides and front of the countertop.
Sorry about the crazy dark pics, I did do this project around midnight (when I do all my best work). I waited until the next morning to take the tape off. I’m pretty psyched about how good these turned out.
Here’s a close up of the finished edge so that you can see it in more detail:
All together this project cost me under $10 for the spray paint and plastic sheeting. Not too shabby for a completely transformed countertop! These counters just a small part of the major reno we did in this bathroom on a major budget, here’s some of the other projects we accomplished in here:
- We laid peel and stick tile after tearing out the old linoleum
- We re-glazed the tub rather than replacing it.
- I painted the cabinets with my own DIY Cabinet Transformations kit.
- We replaced all fluorescent lighting
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- Before
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- After
*** Edit*** We ended up selling this house to move on to our auction house adventure shortly after completing this project. So, I’m not sure if they held up or not. If we hadn’t have moved I was planning on sealing this counters with this product, which is a pour on High Gloss Sealer, specifically for countertop applications. I think if it was left unsealed it wouldn’t hold up to cleanings and spills. With a proper sealer though it could last a long time!
Since this project I’ve shared quite a few methods for covering ugly countertops! Here’s a few of your other options if you’re not interested in spray painting counters!
- Cover them with a faux marble sticker
- Paint them with Tile Paint
- Replace with with butcher block
- Replace them with quartz
If you’re looking to transform your bathroom, make sure you also check out these posts!
Modern Master Bathroom Transformation with Painted Shower
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- Before
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- After
Powder Bathroom Transformation with Paint
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- Before
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- After
Blue Bathroom with Painted Countertops
Modern Bathroom with Plank Tile Floor for Under $1000
Modern Black and White Bathroom
looks great – did you do any prep to the counter first…like sanding it? Please keep us updated on how the finish holds up
Cheryl @ The Creative Me and My McG
It’s only been about a week since I sprayed it, but I did a bunch of drywall work above it and was able to scrub off all the dust no problem. Also while we were working we dropped a pry bar on it and laid all of our tools out and nothing did any damage. I also think if it ever did get nicked or chipped it would be super easy to touch up.
What kind of prep was needed for the counter before painting?
I didn’t prep it at all, but if I was being extra thorough I probably would have roughed it up a bit with some sandpaper first. Thanks for stopping!
How has it held up? I would like to try this, but I am worried that it would possibly chip or peel.
I painted mine several years ago and lasted very well. However that special product is not available anymore. I need another change so I am going to try your way plus sealer Wish me luck.
Awesome! What did you paint yours with? Mine looked awesome so I’m sure yours will too! Good Luck!
I did just as you did on mine in bathroom. 3 days later I laid a wet rag on it for about 2 min. and it was like I could of just wiped it right off. the counter top will get wet sometimes and this is just like I just painted it and not dried good. what went wrong?
Oh no! I had wet stuff on mine frequently and never had this happen. I wonder if difference surfaces handle the paint differently? Or if you sealed it how it would hold up? I’m sorry that happened. We only lived there about 4 months after I painted ours, but we never had an issue.
Did you deal it?
I think you mean seal? I used a polycrilic spray sealer, but would recommend something heavier like a Bar top sealer.
Did you paint the inside of your sink to ours is the same as the top counter an do you have to seal it with what
I didn’t paint the inside of my sink. I don’t think it would hold up though to prolonged water on it. One method of doing a sink that is all the same is this one: https://www.designertrapped.com/diy-vanity-concrete-overlay/
Hi, I know this is an post, but did you put anything on top of the spray paint? Such as polyurethane?? Thank you
I didn’t but I think if I would have it would have held up better! I think a pour on epoxy would work best.
It looks fantastic! I’m wondering if it scratches at all? I’d love to do this to mine!
It’s only been about a week since I sprayed it, but I did a bunch of drywall work above it and was able to scrub off all the dust no problem. Also while we were working we dropped a pry bar on it and layed all of our tools out and nothing did any damage. I also think if it ever did get nicked or chipped it would be super easy to touch up.
Let me know if you end up doing yours. For a stronger finish you may want to prime it first and maybe put some sort of top coat on it?
How well does this hold up?
Only time will tell because we’ve had it done for just over a week. Hopefully really well though! I guess even if it doesn’t hold up it will hold us over until we can put in new countertops, but I sure hope we don’t have to!
Do you still have the same countertop? And how did it hold up?
Looks so awesome, I wish I would have known about this before I used the sponge method on my counters! Did you have to put polyacrelic or anything over the top to keep it from getting wet?
I probably should find something to protect it, but I haven’t yet. Everything really glossy and thick looks awesome, but I’m not sure how I would do the edges if I did that. Until I figure it out I’m hoping they hold up!
Does it feel rough and gritty like stone or smooth?
I guess I’d say somewhere in the middle. It’s not smooth like granite, but not so bumpy that I can’t just wipe makeup powder right off of it. It actually feels just like it does on the cap of the spray paint can.
How dose it look now ???
Actually we sold that house right after this project, so I’m not sure! I think with a good sealer they’d hold up for a long time though!
I have been waiting to color my sink in my bathroom is that possible?
So far with 409 and a paper towel, but I didn’t let it sit on there for long.
The content of your blog is just what I needed; I like your blog. I was very pleased to find this site. I wanted to thank you for this great read.
countertops wy
I’ve never even thought about spray painting countertops but you have me intrigued! Is the paint holding up well?
So far it is holding up great! I haven’t scrubbed it with a lot of muscle though and we’re moving in a month so I’m trying to be cautious with it! I think if I was going for a really long term coating I would need some type of thick protective cover. Possibly the same stuff people use for bar tops?
Looks great. I am a big fan of spraying anything with spray paint but have never thought about doing a counter top. I think I would be worried to do it in a kitchen but in the bathroom, not a bad idea.
Wow this looks amazing. I’m tempted to have go in my kitchen.
Ali x
One of my good friends is about to go for it in her kitchen. She’s just got to figure out what kind of protective top coat to use. I’ll let you know how it works out!
It needs to be a food grade paint if it goes in the kitchen. Or if you can find a food grade clear coat to go over it. I don’t know of any products like that and I work for a top paint company. Just keep that in mind if you are prepping food or even setting snacks on it or whatever. Good luck on finding a product that works.
This looks fantastic. I was complaining about my green countertops just the other day. I’m going to have to work up the nerve to try this.
Wow, awesome transformation!!
Congratulations…this post was featured on Create It Thursday #13! Thanks so much for linking up such a great idea last week!
I can’t believe this project only cost $10.00 and the results look great! I’m pinning this now! I’m stopping by from Inspire Me Please (#3 Bacon Grilled Chicken) Have a great weekend.
Thanks so much for the pin and for stopping by! Your chicken sounds pretty darn amazing too!
This looks so good! What a great Idea. I wanted to let you know that I featured this today in my “What I Bookmarked This Week” post – stop by and see!
Thanks so much for the feature, following on G+!!!
Rust-oleum has really good textured spray paint. I use them for a few different projects myself. Your counters turned out great did you put any protection coating or was it not necessary?
I didn’t protect them but I think they would hold up even longer if I did. I just haven’t figured out what I should use.
You should use Minwax Polycrylic. After some research, I’ve found out that Polyurethane puts out an off-gas, like for forever, because it’s oil-based. Polyurethane also takes 3 weeks to completely cure because it’s oil-based, and the chemicals have to evaporate and harden. But Polycrylic is water-based, and it dries within a few hours, and has no off-gas. You have to be careful though, because it does dry so fast, you have to be on the ball when you’re applying it. You can’t dawdle.
They also have water based polyurethane now, and hybrids. Polyurethane yellows over time, lacquer will eventually crackle. Polycrylic is a great product and I use it often. Follow the directions for sure and also be aware that it’s not food grade either so it shouldn’t be used in the kitchen or food prep areas.
Thanks for telling us that. I was about to ask what top coat would be recommended.
That looks amazing!!!
Thanks! It was SUCH a transformation! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
What a difference that makes! I’m really tempted to try this in one of our bathrooms, but I’m scared! haha I don’t think my husband would be willing to replace the countertops right now if I was to mess them up.
I was nervous, but we were on the verge of replacing ours anyways, so I didn’t have anything to lose. So far I love it and it’s been a few months!
Any idea if this would work well on a kitchen counter? My counters are awful and this seems like a great cost effective way to do a quick redo. Thanks for the great post!
I think it would work great, but you would have to find a way to seal it for food prep. Possibly the same methods people use for sealing cement? Or bar tops? I’m not positive but I do think it would look great!
I have a sink and counter all-in-one in my bathroom. I wonder how the sink portion would hold up to frequent usage?
My boys are 3 and 5 and splash water all over when they wash their hands and so far there haven’t been any issues!
Hi Jessica .. Can you give an update on how well the counters are holding up? also you have protected them in the meantime?
Cheers, niamh
So far they are holding up fine, but I’m pretty cautious. They’ve had standing water on them and it hasn’t done any damage, but it’s hard scrubbing I’d be concerned about.
I am SO doing this to our half bath downstairs! Thanks for being the guinea pig! 😉
This is such a great idea! I just moved into a house that has a nice enough countertop in the bathroom but has a big, ugly burn mark on it. This is exactly what I need. I know they have the clear gloss spraypaints – would you recommend something like that as a protective topcoat? Thanks for posting this!
I do think a spray paint gloss would work well, as long as you’re not using it in a kitchen for food prep. Let me know if you go for it!
i was looking for a remedy for my countertops…thanks!!!
Definitely! Let me know if you do it!
So, it’s a year later. How’s it holding up? My bathroom counters are peach to match the terra cotta tile and it’s absolutely hideous. I want to go more neutral. Please let me know if there is chipping or spots that have worn away. Thank you!!!
I wish I knew! Shortly after this project we sold the house. My guess is that it all depends on how you seal it. If you used a thick polyurethane or coating meant for counter tops, I believe it would hold up great. If it was left unsealed I don’t think it would withstand scrubbing for long.
I did my kitchen about 3 years ago and did have to seal it with varathane ( I used stuff that is also used to seal boats) which gave it an extra sheen as well. I have had to do touchups about every 8 or 9 months around the sink area as that keeps getting wet and bubbles the paint. (Wonder how often boats are touched up? lol) The rest of the kitchen has held up quite well, a few nicks here and there. I have a large kitchen so I bought out the color I was using at the local Canadian Tire, had to drive a half hour to another store to pick up more, probably cost me about 60-70 initially. I also used newspaper and flyers to cover the sink and walls, etc, they were free local papers anyways so I had lots.
Thanks so much for sharing! I thought a product like varathane would be the ticket. The only question is how it is with food contamination? If we would have stayed in the house longer I would have sealed it with something like that. Thanks!
I’m also curious about contaminating food prep- how’s it help up?? I’d love to have such a cheap and powerful option to update my peach kitchen countertops..!
If you were to seal it properly I think it would clean up fine. Many sealers are made for kitchen countertops or even industrial bar tops. Unsealed it is too rough for food prep and clean up.
I was just wondering how this was holding up? You didn’t mention in your post if you used any kind of sealer on top of the paint – did you – if so, what kind?
We are moving to an older home in the next couple of weeks. It has a couple of bathrooms that need some updating, but the budget is small and I’m looking for some low cost options – would you do this again??
We actually moved so I am not sure how it held up. Many people have recommended using a sealer for cement countertops, or a bar top sealer. I believe that with a good sealer this could last a long time and it looks great! I would do it again, but if I planned on using it a long time I’d just be sure to seal it.
Im so glad I ran across this I was looking at that expensive box of stuff at lowes to use, i never even thought about the paint or thought it would work..
Awesome idea. Thought about the sponge painting and sealing method, but I can’t wait for it to cure. Takes Too long. And I am over anxious and want to get things done right away. Thanks again, the quick and easy tip I have been searching for.
Love this idea!! Weird question– would this work on tile? We are rocking some 80’s taupe/white tile in our bathroom and it REALLY needs a makeover. We recently completed a remodel on our guest/kid’s bathroom so we don’t have the funds to start on this one…just yet. This might be a nice trick to make an inexpensive change in the meantime. THANKS for sharing!! 🙂
Thank you for reading and commenting! If you are ok with the shapes of the tile still showing I think it would adhere fine. Otherwise if you wanted to do some type of filler to smooth the tile first, and then spray it. If you hate the tile anything would be better until you can afford to do it right. Good luck and thanks again for stopping by!
I Love this look but concerned that over time this type of counter top might not be healthy (placing food on it ).
It would definitely need to be sealed properly in a kitchen. With proper sealing though I would definitely trust it and there are many food safe sealers.
Did you tell the people who bought your house what you had done? If not, they probably hate you as much as we hate the people we bought our house from!
Half-a** renovations make for exceptionally angry buyers when the paint scrubs off the first time they clean something!!! I am now having to undertake an entire kitchen renovation because they painted the cabinets without proper prep/sealing.
That’s exactly what I was thinking! Without prepping the surface and no sealant afterwards, I doubt that it held up for very long. I’d be totally po’d to buy a house and have the finishes coming off of everything every time I cleaned!
I just today bought the rust oleum spray paint in natural stone. Getting ready to redo the vanity top in our main BR in the hallway. I have read a lot of comments and done some research on this product. I don’t believe you could do a better job for the money and the ease. I read concerns about doing it where food prep may be a problem. I would look in what they use in those kits made especially for kitchen counters to seal it. What ever it is I’m sure you can buy it without buying the whole kit. Because as soon as I’m done with this BR I’m going to be doing my kitchen counters, preparing to sell house and can’t afford ‘The Real Stone counter tops.” Wish me luck. Any suggestions on how to redo a bathtub/shower on a tight budget.
YES! That’s how I felt too! Check out this post: https://www.brightgreendoor.com/how-to-glaze-a-tub/
Love this idea,wondering if you think it would work on a marble vanity top. Ready for a makeover
I do, I would probably just sand it lightly first to rough it up a little bit so that the paint takes to it.
Do you think it would work on ceramic tile?
Absolutely, just make sure you seal it well! Maybe sand it a bit first to rough it up so that it grabs.
before asking this question, I believe I’ve read all the comments.Any particular motion/technique with the spray paint? short random bursts? long strokes?
Yes, thanks for asking! Long sweeping strokes about 10-14 inches away. Make sure you don’t stay in any one place for more than a couple seconds.
i have a normal counter top in my Guest bathroom. do i need to do any prepping before i paint other then taping and covering everything that i don’t want spray painted?
If it’s super glossy I’d rough it up with deglosser or sandpaper, but if it’s a matte finish then I wouldn’t do anything else!
Amazed. Great work, and keeping your energy through it all! (That’s my weakest link………….. bc by midnight, I am ready to be done.. and I’m still on day 1.) I do a lot of grouted counter tops in bathrooms. I have used everything from broken pieces of shell, to sea glass, to octagonal floor tile. The BEST and (by far best) decision I made, was to try out alternative sealers. a) It has strong fumes that rarely leave after even a month b) It is expensive (30 dollars for a 30 ounce container!) c) You can’t always find it everywhere. Instead, I seal with polyurethane. You have to be careful, because if you want a finish to be matted, it may be out of the question. But I have only had awesome results! High gloss, low gloss and voc free – I love all of the options. It is very waterproof, and you toss a few strokes on the surface after 3 years, and it looks like new!
Thank you so much! Your unique grouted countertops all sound so interesting! I’d Love to do one with sea glass! Thanks for the sealing ideas too.
We used the rustoleum pot spray paint on my kitchen and sealed it with several coats of polyurethane and have a few spots where the paints in now chipped. I absolutely love the way it turned out and am sick over the chips. What did we do wrong?
Oh no, That really really stinks. Typically a few coats of poly can protect anything. I’m about to paint my tile floor and that’s how I plan to seal it. Other than using a cutting board and hot pads I can’t think of what could have gone wrong. Other than touching it up and using more poly I’m not sure what I’d do. I’m so sorry that yours chipped.
I want to spray paint my bathroom counter top and sink (all one piece). It is porcelein or whatever sinks are made out of. Was your countertop a laminate or other material? Would what you did be ok for the type of sink/counter top I have?
Yes my countertop was a laminate. I’m afraid that the sink wouldn’t hold up long with constant water exposure. I’m no expert, but I don’t think I’d try it on a sink. Sorry.
So I have ugly yellow countertops in my new house and want to cover them up bad! do you think that a couple of coats would cover the yellow??
Totally. I think it would cover anything! Good Luck!
The product recommended for a high gloss, thick, durable sealer (like bar tops) is called ENVIROTEX, it comes in a mix, and you can see numerous pics of countertops/sinks (wood, granite, etc) online, along with instructions from others on the best way to cover curves, lips and back splashes. I googled the info. Envirotex comes in a couple forms and can be found most often at major craft stores for $20+ or at old dusty small town hardware stores where I found my box for $3.50.
What a steal! Yes with a sealer like Envirotex this countertop could hold up for years and years!
I just wonder if i could use this product on a back splash in my kitchen which I did a dumb thing and put cheap floor tile on and it would not stay so i used some floor glue and i have no idea how to get it off so I can do something with the back splash , any ideas from you would be appreciated.
The floor tile sounds like a good idea! I’m surprised it didn’t work out better. I’m afraid to say I don’t think this would fix it, mainly because the texture of the glue would still show thorough. Have you considered headboard or shiplap? That will cover just about any imperfection!
Did you any kind of sealer on top when it dried?
I didn’t but I wish that I would have. I think that envirotex would have been the perfect sealer though.
Did you need to seal the counter top? How does it hold up?
Yes, I’d definitely recommend sealing them. We sold the house shortly afterwards, but as long as they are sealed they should hold up great.
Does it work on fabricated marble…..?
Did you seal the spray paint after it dried?! I have my counters painted and sealed with Polycrylic but there can’t be any water left on it at all!
I am worried that this will come off quickly being in a “water” space with my kids using it?!
Polycrilic is what I typically use for sealing everything, but in this case I’d use a bar top sealer like Envirotex. It is meant for sealing counters and is very durable.
Is the counter rough feeling?
Yes, until sealed it had a rougher sandpaper-ish feeling.
Did the counter top feel rough after you painted or was it smooth like before you painted them?
Yes it still had a rough feel to it. Once it is sealed with something like Envirotex then it will be smooth. If you leave it unprotected though it will be rough and probably not last. Thanks so much for visiting!
I have been looking for a way to renew my bathroom counter top in an affordable price. My question is: would it be ok the use Kilz primer before spray painting the counter top and for the finish touch what about a semi gloss polycrylic?
I think that using Kilz primer first is SUCH a good idea. I wish I would have thought to do that. I think that a polycrylic could definitely work if you did a few coats. I use polycrilic on tons of projects. It’s durable but not as much as a bar top sealer.
Did u sand counters before you painted at all so paint would stick better????? I’m definitely doing this!
I didn’t sand them, but it never hurts to quickly rough them up first. Good luck with it! Make sure you seal it and you will be so happy with the outcome!
thank you so much for your blog about doing the rustoleum stone spray on counters . I just did my bathroom countertop about same size as yours . first I sanded with 80 grit sand paper then I put a kilz primer on it . my countertop was white and primer white . I had to use about a can and 1/2 because the white was showing through . I did the dark charcoal . I think it looks great and will put a poly coating on it looking for something with a matt finish . before poly finish feels like sand paint
Howie
I think dark charcoal would look amazing. I was thinking sealing with Envirotex would create a strong durable layer, but polycrilic is my go-to for sealing everything. Thanks for letting me know and congrats on an almost completed project!
How long would you recommend allowing to dry before applying the Envirotex
Not long at all. It would probably be dry in 4-ish hours?
We just did the same thing. We used a rustoleum grey primer and the rustoleum stone accents slate color….. our problem is the paint cracked. It looks like crackle paint. Not sure what went wrong or how to fix it.
Oh no! We sold the house shortly after that so I actually don’t know how ours held up. What a bummer about yours.
Was the texture really rough or did you put a coating over it after it dried?
Yes it is like a sandpaper consistency without sealing. I’d recommend Envirotex sealer.
My counter tops are baby blue do you think the Gray will cover?
Absolutely! It covers really well!
Can you do this on kitchen counters? Would it be durable enough?
You could, the durability would depend on how well you deal it. I would probably only try it if I had new counters in my future. As a short term fix or a trial. Or if you were ok with occasional touch ups.