[cappyjon431]

This is somewhat of an unusual question as most of the threads I have researched on TOTV about countertops involve switching from formica to granite, quartz, silestone or other engineered products.

My mother-in-law is in the process of downsizing--she sold her larger home in TV and just bought a smaller home here. Her new (pre-owned) home has formica countertops in a not-so-lovely (actually horrible) blend of pink and blue. She doesn't want to put a lot of money into granite or other engineered surfaces but would like nicer colored formica (she thinks they are easier to maintain and she is on a fixed budget and doesn't want to spend too much).

I told her to check out Home Depot and Lowes first, but does anyone have any experience or recommendations for someone that installs new formica?

Thanks for any advice!

[Debfrommaine]

We've had very good luck with Lowe's and Home Depot installers in the past.

[faithfulfrank]

Jon,
I was faced with a similar problem. I plan on ripping out the kitchen in a couple of years, but could not live with the pink countertops until then. I wanted a cheap, easy solution. I did this with a kit I bought from Giani granite. (They have a website) I got enough to do the whole kitchen and two bathrooms for like $60.00 It has held up wonderfully and we are very pleased. It was a fun and easy project.






It took a day or two, but it was not difficult.....no ripping up everything. Just thought I'd throw out another option. I liked the Giani system much better then the other countertop systems the big box stores sell for more money.

Frank

[CarGuys]

Nice job Frank! My wife is leaving me for you! All I leave is grease around the house! You make things look great.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by CarGuys

.....My wife is leaving me for you! ......

So she's been lying to me all this time!!!???



Bill

[jimbo2012]

looks great

[cappyjon431]

Thanks Frank, that looks great! i'm pretty handy and I would certainly be willing to give it a try if my mother-in-law was willing. For that price it might be a nice "moving in" present.

I consider myself fairly handy, do you think this is something I could do myself or should I hire someone to do it?

Any specialized tools needed?

Thanks again!

[faithfulfrank]

Jon,
I'm sure you could do it. There are no special tools, etc. They also give you most everything you need.

You basically just clean off the counter with a good cleaner like windex, etc. If there are any dings, chips, etc they could be filled with wood putty, bondo, whatever you have.

Then you tape around sink, backsplash/wall with the blue or green painters tape. You then roll on the black iron core primer they give you. It's weird painting a perfectly good countertop black but it is the first step. It is latex, so do not worry about a bad smell. This bonds to the countertop. Let that dry overnight or most of the day.

The next step is sponging the different colors on in order. You can't screw up, and they even give you a piece of black cardboard to practice on. You can get a different look dependent on how much of one color you use, etc. After a color or two it really comes alive. If you want any veining you can get a feather and do that also. If you are going for a granite look remember that granite is NOT uniform, so anything goes.....you are not shooting for perfection.

When you are happy with the look, (and if you're not, just re-roll the black on it and start over), let it dry and then you do the last step. You roll on a few coats of automotive grade polyurethane they give you. Let that dry and then put a small amount of silicone clear caulf around the sink and you are done. 2-3 days tops.

I can only speak for myself here, but we have been very pleased with this. It has held up VERY well, no nicks, scratches, etc. We have gotten many compliments on it and it was quick, easy and cheap. Dependent on the ratio of colors you use, style of sponging, etc you can get many different looks even with the same colors. The pictures do not do it justice. If you are considering it you are welcome to see it in person.....we are just a few miles south of you all in The Plantation.

DISCLAIMER- I do not sell this stuff and benefit in NO way here.....I just like doing house projects and if I can help someone else with advice I'll share it. Not everyone wants to spend $4-5 thousand on granite countertops when they plan on gutting the whole kitchen in a few years. I"m thinking for our next kitchen I might make my own concrete countertops....but that is another project.........;-) Well, time for me to get to work. I'm redoing my lanai....putting in new windows and a door, etc, today. Anyone wanting to help lift a ten foot wide window unit feel free to stop by.....

Frank

[coach]

Frank,

I played golf in your lovely neighborhhod a few days ago and was very impressed. This Florida retirement life is great, isn't it?

Your kitchen looks very good.

[BmoreGal]

The countertops look terrific!

[elevatorman]

Originally Posted by faithfulfrank

Jon,
I was faced with a similar problem. I plan on ripping out the kitchen in a couple of years, but could not live with the pink countertops until then. I wanted a cheap, easy solution. I did this with a kit I bought from Giani granite. (They have a website) I got enough to do the whole kitchen and two bathrooms for like $60.00 It has held up wonderfully and we are very pleased. It was a fun and easy project.






It took a day or two, but it was not difficult.....no ripping up everything. Just thought I'd throw out another option. I liked the Giani system much better then the other countertop systems the big box stores sell for more money.

Frank

Sold at Wal-mart in TV.

[cappyjon431]

Originally Posted by faithfulfrank

Jon,
I'm sure you could do it. There are no special tools, etc. They also give you most everything you need.

You basically just clean off the counter with a good cleaner like windex, etc. If there are any dings, chips, etc they could be filled with wood putty, bondo, whatever you have.

Then you tape around sink, backsplash/wall with the blue or green painters tape. You then roll on the black iron core primer they give you. It's weird painting a perfectly good countertop black but it is the first step. It is latex, so do not worry about a bad smell. This bonds to the countertop. Let that dry overnight or most of the day.

The next step is sponging the different colors on in order. You can't screw up, and they even give you a piece of black cardboard to practice on. You can get a different look dependent on how much of one color you use, etc. After a color or two it really comes alive. If you want any veining you can get a feather and do that also. If you are going for a granite look remember that granite is NOT uniform, so anything goes.....you are not shooting for perfection.

When you are happy with the look, (and if you're not, just re-roll the black on it and start over), let it dry and then you do the last step. You roll on a few coats of automotive grade polyurethane they give you. Let that dry and then put a small amount of silicone clear caulf around the sink and you are done. 2-3 days tops.

I can only speak for myself here, but we have been very pleased with this. It has held up VERY well, no nicks, scratches, etc. We have gotten many compliments on it and it was quick, easy and cheap. Dependent on the ratio of colors you use, style of sponging, etc you can get many different looks even with the same colors. The pictures do not do it justice. If you are considering it you are welcome to see it in person.....we are just a few miles south of you all in The Plantation.

DISCLAIMER- I do not sell this stuff and benefit in NO way here.....I just like doing house projects and if I can help someone else with advice I'll share it. Not everyone wants to spend $4-5 thousand on granite countertops when they plan on gutting the whole kitchen in a few years. I"m thinking for our next kitchen I might make my own concrete countertops....but that is another project.........;-) Well, time for me to get to work. I'm redoing my lanai....putting in new windows and a door, etc, today. Anyone wanting to help lift a ten foot wide window unit feel free to stop by.....

Frank

I watched the "how to" video on their web site and it does look easy. now if my mother-in-law approves I will have a new project. should be right about the time I finish doing the landscaping on our house. Retirement is SO relaxing!

[faithfulfrank]

Jon,
I did not intend to "hijack" your thread. Glad you like it. To those who posted, thank you for the compliments.

I know it might be a big step to do this.....my offer was sincere if anyone wants to see it up close before doing it feel free to PM me....we are happy to help.....

Frank

[cappyjon431]

Originally Posted by faithfulfrank

Jon,
I did not intend to "hijack" your thread. Glad you like it. To those who posted, thank you for the compliments.

I know it might be a big step to do this.....my offer was sincere if anyone wants to see it up close before doing it feel free to PM me....we are happy to help.....

Frank

Not a hijack, I asked for advice and you provided a wonderful suggestion (which I am probably going to take). That is what TOTV should be all about!

[faithfulfrank]

Jon,
Glad to help. I also did our guest bath countertop....

Before....



After....



On this one I muted the colors a bit by twisting the sponge a bit...that mixed the colors some and gave it a bit of a different look. One thing I would caution on.......Sponging is like fingerprints...no two people sponge alike. Do not have two different people sponge the same color on the same countertop, as it WILL look different. You can do one color, have another person do the next color.......that is fine. But if two folks do the same thing and meet in the middle you may notice the difference. We did not do this, but I could see someone not thinking of this and do it that way. Good luck!!

Frank