There has been a growing trend to find cost-effective ways to spruce kitchen countertops without a big budget. Being a bit of a research nerd, I found a report by the National Kitchen and Bath Association showing that countertop replacements are the third most common remodeling project in the United States, with over 10 million households replacing their countertops each year. That’s a lot of homes!
As a home improvement enthusiast, I always seek creative and affordable ways to upgrade my home. I recently upgraded my Corian countertops the do-it-yourself route.
But you’re like me and are probably asking the obvious. Times can be challenging, and not everyone has the budget for a complete kitchen countertop replacement. So what can you do, and can you paint Corian countertops?
It’s a common question that many homeowners will ask when considering a DIY project. The simple answer? Yes, you can paint your Corian countertops in any color you want.
Corian countertops are popular thanks to their stain-resistant and non-porous properties. These are also moisture-protected, making them exceptional accessories for daily use in kitchens and bathrooms.
Table of Contents
- Can I resurface my corian countertop
- How do you modernize corian countertops
- Can you do epoxy over corian countertops
- Why is corian not popular
- The bottom line on corian countertops
Corian kitchen countertops are also a great way to spice up your kitchen’s overall look and feel. The material is made from a thick liquid solution that contains pigments and resins that react chemically before being molded into a solid material. I suggest you opt for high-quality two-component epoxy paint to achieve the best results when painting your Corian countertop.
I will dig a little deeper into the world of Corian countertops, which I hope will answer most of your questions by the end of this article.
Can I resurface my corian countertop
Yes, you can resurface or replace your Corian countertop. While it usually takes weeks, the duration will still depend on how complex the job is and how long it will take you to get and prepare the necessary supplies.
Take note that resurfacing is different from refinishing. With resurfacing, you will replace the countertop itself. On the other hand, refinishing is a job that only takes a day or less because you will only pain or change the countertop‘s color.
I will provide you with some ideas and preventative measures you can take to make sure your Corian countertops won’t require any resurfacing much earlier than expected.
| PREVENTATIVE MEASURES TO PROTECT YOUR CORIAN COUNTERTOPS | Ensure you always place hot pads under hot containers and food |
| You should also avoid sliding rough objects or using harsh chemicals on your Corian countertops | Never use your countertop as a cutting board for food |
How do you modernize corian countertops
To modernize your Corian countertop or give it an updated appearance, all you have to do is follow the steps below:
Degrease your corian countertop first
Before anything else, start by cleaning your Corian countertop first. Use a degreasing soap and wash down the entire surface. It might take some time because you must be careful and thorough with the cleaning. You can also use a nylon scrubbing item to prevent the risk of scratches, stains, or other damage.
Rinse it off
After degreasing, rinse the surface off before you give it another coat of washing, but this time, without using a degreaser. Use a clean and fresh cloth for this. Remove all residues of soap and dry off the surface completely. Doing so will ensure that the soap won’t interact with the color and that the result will look as expected.
Remember that the cleaning process might not be as easy as it sounds. When in doubt, research the products you plan to use to free yourself from worries of potential negative after-effects of the cleaning products.
Sand the surface
After you are done with cleaning, it’s time to deal with the more technical stuff. You’ll need some fine-grit sandpaper and a belt sander for this. Sand down the surface lightly, and be extremely careful to prevent any unwanted cuts or depression on the surface. If possible, get the edge manually. Don’t forget to wear protective covers for your eyes, mouth, and nose while sanding.
Vacuum it
When you’re done sanding, you can clean the surface with a vacuum to eliminate excess dust. Wipe it down using a damp clean rag. Wait for 24 hours before you proceed to the next step.
Start painting
You are now ready to start painting with two-part epoxy paint. You can get epoxy paints in different finishes, so choose the most suitable one. Use a roller to apply an epoxy primer and let it dry completely.
Can you do epoxy over corian countertops
Yes, you can do epoxy over your Corian countertops. Epoxy is a solid surface countertop, while Corian is a resin-based one, so you can easily epoxy over your Corian countertop. Epoxy resins can also accommodate countertop materials like Formica and laminate, making it an exceptional product.
The product is also popular because it offers users several exciting benefits. It is also scratch-resistant and can enhance the surface’s durability and appearance. Epoxy can also tolerate most cleaning materials without losing their luster.
The good news is that applying epoxy over Corian countertops is straightforward, provided you follow the proper steps to complete the process. It will also ensure that your project will run smoothly from start to finish. Preparing well and getting the right tools can help you apply epoxy over Corian successfully.
To start with the process, start with cleaning and drying your Corian countertop. Doing so will ensure that no unwanted moisture will get left behind. Sealing a plastic sheet on top of your Corian countertop is the easiest way to check for moisture, and you still need to dry it further if there is visible moisture on the plastic sheet.
Complete moisture removal will ensure the application is long-lasting and stay as clean as possible. If any moisture is trapped below the epoxy surface, you will likely experience warping that can damage the epoxy in the long run.
Once you have confirmed no moisture is left, you can sand the Corian to ensure the epoxy will adhere much better. After sanding the Corian, remove all the dust to prevent them from mixing with the epoxy.
Mix the epoxy and apply it using a roller or paintbrush. The application should be used in shorter sections crosswise and lengthwise. Allow the initial coat to dry for 24 hours first before applying the second coat. Use a gloss to seal the epoxy to make it last for the longest time possible.
Why is corian not popular
While Corian has long been in demand in many homes, did you know it is still not as well-liked as other materials?
Some reasons why corian is not popular
- Although Corian is known for being a solid material, you must keep it safe from sharp objects and direct heat, as both can cause severe damage to your countertop.
- While the material is resistant to stains, countertops made from Corian tend to scratch easily. Sadly, these scratches are often permanent. While the material is resistant to stains, countertops made from Corian tend to scratch easily. Sadly, these scratches are often permanent.
- Whether you like it or not, Corian contains acrylic resin; as you already know, acrylic is plastic at the end of the day, which explains why many people are not keen to spend their precious money on worktops that are essentially plastic.
- You cannot use your Corian countertop directly as a cutting board.
- Even though cleaning Corian material is easy, it still lacks the same level of durability as stone countertops such as granite.
- Like most solid surface worktop brands in the market, Corian has timber substrate as one of its contents, which comes with risk. Once the water reaches any of its joints, the timber will expand, leading to worktop damage. It is an essential consideration since most guarantees for solid surface worktops don’t cover damage that results from water access.
- Most Corian countertops cannot endure heat and might dent easily if heavy objects accidentally or intentionally fall on their surface.
More minor cuts might become more visible if you have your Corian countertop in darker colors.
Countertops made from Corian can easily get damaged once exposed to hot vessels and pans. Thus, it is a must to avoid placing extremely hot cooking vessels over your countertops, even for more than just several seconds. Corian countertops often come with high price tags.
While Corian is still not as expensive as its granite counterpart, the material is costlier than other types used for countertops. Also, the material might be much cheaper in areas with locally available granite.
While these reasons may make Corian unpopular, there is no denying that it still offers many exciting benefits that many homeowners continue to love and appreciate.
The bottom line on corian countertops
Corian countertops have long been a favorite among many homeowners, despite a few reasons why the materials are not as popular as other options in the market. If you admire Corian, you probably know how they tend to lose their beauty over time.
Can you paint over Corian countertops and give them a whole new look? Well, thankfully, painting over the material is very much possible. Similarly, you can also resurface and modernize your Corian worktops with ease. You can also epoxy over the Corian material and restore it to all its glory.
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John Thompson, Writer and Commentator, EvolutDesign.com
Soldier, writer, researcher, consultant, and bon vivant, John Thompson is the author of numerous columns, op-eds, reports, briefs, short stories and books as the “Felicity Files” and “Spirit Over Steel: A Chronology of the Second World War” (version III). Often found hunched over his computer, or in his garden, and now often found doing both. His diverse talent has led him to work in industries and projects such as energy, security and home construction and renovation.
