- Polymer-and-mineral paint for cultured marble countertops is available in do-it-yourself kits that also include a primer, sealer and product applicators designed to create a faux finish that looks like granite. Paints made specifically for plastic should also work, as cultured marble's polymer resin is a type of plastic. According to Krylon, a manufacturer of plastics paint, no surface preparation or topcoating is necessary for its products. Other oil-based paints may work if applied over primer.
- For most applications, you’ll need to prepare the surface to accept the paint. Dulling the finish with fine steel wool or sandpaper creates ridges and valleys that give the paint more surface area to adhere to. To be on the safe side, follow this step with a coat or two of an adhesion primer recommended for plastic surfaces such as fiberglass and PVC.
- Restoring the shine to a cultured marble counter that has a scratched or dulled surface is a relatively easy process that might provide an alternative to painting. This Old House suggests using an automotive compound. Apply the compound and rub it into the surface. Buff it away using a high-speed buffer fitted with a wool pad. Wet sanding with increasingly fine sandpaper works on deeper scratches, This Old House notes. Coat the countertop with a polishing wax made for cultured marble.
- Protect your countertop from excessive moisture that can cause the paint to peel. Wipe spills promptly and avoid standing water. If your countertop is in the kitchen, use a cutting board to protect the surface from heat and knife cuts. Use only nonabrasive cleaners on painted or refinished surfaces, as even mild abrasives may dull the finish over time.
Paint
Preparing the Surface
Refinishing Cultured Marble
Maintaining Painted and Refinished Cultured Marble
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