One of our Haven sponsors was Rustolem and they have some wonderful innovative products that I have enjoyed trying out. They were great and sent me primer for my new house and when I asked if I could try out the countertop kit, they didn’t hesitate to send it out. I chose the Onyx color and figured it would be a great way to extend the life of my not so pretty guest bath countertop. I can’t afford to gut those bathrooms at the moment, so anything I can do to make them prettier, well, that’s what I’m doing.
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I have to say, that I love the way they turned out. So much fresher and more up to date than the old dated laminate from the late 70’s. I can live with it now and make it work with my décor.
Here’s a step by step on how I did the countertop and how it turned out. It’s a 2 day process.
Here’s a reminder of the Before laminate. Dated. 70’s. OK, ugly! There’s mauve in there, uggh.
And the After is so much better. It’s glossy and smooth in a pebbly way and should clean up very well.
Here’s how I did it. I was sent this kit for free to try out, but didn’t receive any other compensation for doing this. I wanted to try it and was happy to do so. The kit retails at the big box stores for around $150 and it does more than one countertop.
It comes all packaged in a nice and tidy kit with all the materials labeled.
The first step is taping all your edges, along the front, sides, and backsplash area, making sure to mask off anything that you don’t want paint on. The comes sanding down the counters, removing the gloss from them. This gets messy when the chips start flying so it is a good idea to have a dropcloth on the floor too. I didn’t do that and vacuumed up chips after, they were a mess!
The first can is the black top coat, a thick gloppy substance that resembles tar when it goes on. You want an old paintbrush for the sides and backsplash bringing it out a couple of inches and then that is where the roller comes in. You want to try to keep a wet edge as your working your way around the countertop. I didn’t get pics of this step, but cover every inch of the countertop making sure there is nothing white showing. You want it pretty heavy, because then you’re going to fling those black chips all over it and you really want it to stick well.
Here is is all covered with the Base coat. Nice and thick. It doesn’t have to be really smooth, it will level out.
Next, you will fill up that white contraption, somewhat like a fertilizer spreader with the black chips. I filled up the spreader with chips and then pressed the button, turning the wheel and chips went a-flying. All over the countertop. Just go back and forth, whirling the spreader and making sure that all those chips fly and stick all over the countertop, covering every inch of the black base coat. It should stick very well, but there’s a wetting agent in a bottle just in case it starts not sticking well. You have about 20 minutes to do this and that is plenty of time.
And here’s what it looks like after flinging those chips. It does go everywhere so be aware of that. In the sink, on the floor, everywhere.
See what I mean? Chips everywhere. But they do vacuum up fairly easily, they reminded me of spilled coffee. Now, let everything dry well overnight. You want to do the 2nd coat within 24 hours of the first one.
Next day, here’s what it looks like. Then you get a scraper tool and another hand sander block out and hand sand the chips down, scraping off the excess and sanding smooth the surface, preparing it for the final top coat. You do wipe down well with a damp cloth in between these steps too and then let it dry before going on to the top coat.
Here’s what it should look like after sanding, sort of gray looking as everything gets smoothed out. I didn’t get mine completely as smooth as the sample they had in the kit, but I was happy with it anyway. It was smooth enough for me.
The 2nd coat is mixed together, Part A and Part B, which turns into a thickish poly looking topcoat that you’ll brush and roll on. You want this thick as well.
Ready to brush it on the backsplash with the paintbrush. By the way, I used an old paintbrush and threw it away.
Brush the backsplash first and then move down to the flat area and roll.
Rolling and brushing, be sure to cover evenly and thickly. It will self level and mine wasn’t perfect by any means, but for the most part it’s smooth. There were some thicker parts back in the corner of the countertop, but it dries clear and is not that noticeable. I brushed all around the sink getting it into all the corners and edges of the countertop and ends. There are areas that are thicker and thinner on the countertop itself, but overall it looks really good.
After that, let it dry overnight before you mess with anything. I left the tape on as that is what the directions said to do.
Still wet.
The whole countertop all covered and drying. It takes several weeks to completely cure, so it should be good and dry by the time I move in. NOTE: It is very dry by the 3rd day, so that it can be wiped down and very dry to the touch. Like most paints, the complete curing time can takes weeks, so you should just be careful during that time.
The next day, I used a utility knife and cut around the sink and backsplash, removing the Frogtape. It came off pretty well without a lot of damage. You can see the edge of the sink here and under the rim, it’s a little messy where the sink is raised a bit. There was old caulking in here that I took out and I think I’ll tape around the sink and go back and recaulk it in white and try to clean up the edge line a little bit. I think that will make it look cleaner. Around the sink is the hardest part to get nice and smooth with a clean line.
There was one little spot to the back of the sink where it pulled off some of the black when I cut the tape. I went back and added a little solid black back on top of it and it should dry out fine. That doesn’t bother me.
And here is the finished product again. Overall, I’m really, really happy with it. It’s much better than the old one and the finish feels good to the touch too. It’s very shiny and feels almost vinyl-like and should clean up well. I’m going to eventually get a frame up on the mirror too.
Here’s the room finished with mirrors framed and it’s still like this now. The countertop has held up fine almost 4 years later.
So, if you have an old countertop that needs sprucing up, I can definitely say that this Rustoleum product worked great for it. You have nothing to lose anyway by trying to cover up an ugly countertop that you don’t like anyway, that’s the way I looked at it. I’m happy enough with my masterbath countertop, so I’m leaving it as is, but this one looks much better to me.
What do you think? Would you try it?
{Disclosure: I received my Rustoleum Countertop Transformations kit for free, but did not get paid for my review. My opinions and experience with the product are entirely my own.}
Carol-Anne (Use The Good Dishes!) says
I’ve seen several bloggers try this product and it looks amazing! I do wonder: Does it have to be so glossy? Is there a more matte finish?
Rhoda says
I don’t think there is a matte finish, I didn’t see it listed if there is.
Judy S says
Rhoda, that looks great! I never would have thought it would turn out that good. I would love to do this to my kitchen counters. The only thing that gives me pause is having to wait for it to cure. I don’t think I could go without the use of my counters for very long. 🙁
Janette@The2seasons@tn says
In the photos it looks similar to the black honed granite we had installed in all of our bathrooms during our big gut job/remodel project last year. Ours aren’t glossy, though. The price seems steep. I think someone could replace a countertop your size with an in-stock laminate purchase at one of the big box stores.
Milita says
I was thinking the same thing about the price. It would only be a good value if you had like 3 bathrooms to do
Cindy says
That is a great solution for countertops that you want to restore/change. It looks great! What a difference!
Dorothy says
Well at that price I will probably look to replace my countertop in the hall bath rather than try this. It was good to see the process. I am such a perfectionist that it would drive me crazy to try to achieve a perfect surface. But I do think your bath looks worlds better with this new surface!
Debbie says
The end results is great – major improvement! I wonder if it would be easier to remove the sink before applying? I’m a little concerned about the time it takes to cure – I’m not the most patient person when it comes to doing that…lol
Diane | An Extraordinary Day says
Wow! You’re turning into quite the DIY pro!!!
I’ve always wondered about that product. Thanks for walking through all the details. I’m wondering, if you were to do it again….are there some things you’d do differently? Like maybe removing the tape while it’s still damp?
Donna says
The tape comes off best the day after. I bought 2 large kits and one small to do my kitchen. My only problem is some spots are thicker than others of the finish coat and now I am looking for a product I can pour over it for a more even ever smother finish coat. Other than that, I am very pleased with the results. I am 70 and did it all by myself. It took me a week but I was not in any hurry. Yes, I would do it again.
Cyndi says
Use EnviroTech to seal the top of the counters, you will love the outcome. It can be purchased at Hobby Lobby using a 40% off coupon.
Janet says
Wow, good job! I wondered how well this product would work. Would it have been easier if you removed the sink first? The chips would have ended up inside the vanity so maybe that’s not a good idea after all.
Janet G. says
I like the look; I was reminded of honed granite, also. You’ll have to let us know how it wears with use and cleaning. While it is true that the cost is high compared to a stock laminate countertop replacement, one certainly wouldn’t want to go to the effort of replacing the counter without replacing the sink and cabinet, too. Therefore, this is a cost effective fix to tide you over for the short term until you can accomplish a bath remodel.
Christie says
I like it much better than the original. I don’t think that I could wait for it to be done. I get too antsy.
Maureen says
Love the after. It really did a great job. The cost is a bit steep, but if it covers more countertop then your job required, perhaps a kitchen countertop, then I think it isn’t too bad. The cure time is a bit of a concern. It really has made a huge difference in your bathroom, and once you get the mirror framed will be the icing on the cake! Almost don’t want the reno to end….have so enjoyed watching the process….but will be thrilled for you when you finally move in!
shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Rhoda…what a wonderful transformation…you did a great job…that is certainly a great product that Rustoleum has….The only drawback for me would be that you have to wait a while for it to cure…but the counter so far looks fantastic!! A far cry from the shiny mauve laminate!
Judi says
Looks great! I have seen this used on other blogs and was interested in using it. Thanks for the info…esp including the cure time…I had not read that before in any of the other reviews. That does sort of kill it for me, not sure I could be kitchen free that long – I”d probably just get the black in stock laminate counters and put them in.. I have used the cabinet transformation and am very pleased with how it turned out.
BTW…I received the cleaning kit from one of your previous give-aways…Thank you! Will be hitting the grill this weekend.
Thanks for all the info. I know you are getting excited to move in!
Arlene Grimm@Nanaland says
Thanks for showing us how this works Rhoda…and I guess I have to agree with the some of the other commenters, I would hate to wait that long for it to completely cure. How much would a small piece of laminate for a bathroom counter cost these days? Just wondering how it compares in price to the Rustoleum kit.
Natalie says
It looks good, and you are right about going for it if you dislike what you have. I wasn’t impressed with their cabinet transformation kit, but this one looks better. I have plans to just use paint and epoxy-not much better cost wise.
Elizabeth H says
Looks great. I will be using that product on a vanity top soon. Thanks for the tutorial.
Rhoda says
HI, all! Let me clarify the dry time. It feels completely dry on the 3rd day after the top coat went on. I can wipe it up and it’s totally dry. BUT, I did read that it takes a couple of weeks to COMPLETELY cure and that’s the case with most paint products. Don’t let that scare you!
As far as taking out the sink, I do agree that it would be a smoother application if you did take out the sink. That’s the only hard part, getting it smooth around the sink. The directions did say to leave the tape on until it dries & then score the tape and remove.
For the cost, I’m not sure how much laminate counters are, but it could be for a small bathroom that you could do a new laminate countertop for the same price. You just have to do your homework and decide what is most cost effective for you. I’m happy with the way this one turned out and hopefully it will last me a couple of years until I can afford to gut the whole vanity and start over. I’ll keep you all posted on how it holds up.
Arlene Grimm@Nanaland says
Thanks for clearing that up Rhoda!! I think it is a good solution for a bath that you want to change up temporarily while you save to redo the bathroom completely.
Jacqui says
Your counter does look so much better. I’d love to do something about my kitchen counters but the wait and curing time would make it impossible as the counters get daily use.
I do love how you detail the process of so many of the projects you’ve worked on. Your home is looking beautiful and I can’t wait to see it when you’ve moved in and decorated!
Betsy(@coastal-colors) says
Rhoda, this looks wonderful! It amazes me that there are so many solutions to updating rather than demolishing! Your tutorial is great; thanks! Your counter tops looks fabulous!