Countertop Transformation Kit $195 Before and After

Happy501 on 12/05/2014 - 16:04
Last edited 14/05/2014 - 17:06

Gday all,
So we have been plodding along for 3 hours with a bit of lunch and a cup of tea in between.

First the extra costs on top of the $195 was $39. This was for all the extra little things that the box tells you to buy. I bought the most expensive "painters" tape and I ended up using some tape I had at home because it worked better. I am sure you could all do it for around $30 or less if you don't buy the tape or already have a paintbrush or two lying around.

Kitchen sink removed to make it easier. I reattached the tap ( you can't see it) so we can still run water through the house.

The first photo showed the dodgy surface heavily sanded. As you can see I have my ozbargain ryobi kit.

http://imgur.com/a/QvJYw

Here is the link. I need to go clean up. I will post more after I have sanded the flakes back and applied gloss.

take care all.

Update: I have updated the photos.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • 2real4u on 12/05/2014 - 17:56

    looks nice!

  • Wallyt99 on 12/05/2014 - 18:11

    Looks a lot like a kitty litter tray at the moment.

  • [Deactivated] on 12/05/2014 - 18:12
    +1

    Good work! If only I didn't have soft, lady-like hands…:(

  • Geekgirl22 on 12/05/2014 - 19:13

    I think it looks great. We used the same colour as you. The colour/chips are not everyone's cup of tea I realise but it suited us.
    Considering what our benchtops looked like beforehand and the difficulty in replaceing the benchtop (and cost), I found this kit a fantastic alternative.

    • kingmw on 12/05/2014 - 19:57

      How durable is it?

      • Geewhizz on 13/05/2014 - 15:26

        It should be very durable. It's likely to be an epoxy paint as the base coat. If you have your doubts, just do an extra top coat - it can do no harm, and will add to its longevity .

  • bargaino on 12/05/2014 - 19:57
    +1

    Thanks for taking the trouble to post. It is very interesting.

    I bought the most expensive "painters" tape

    Its worth buying the good painters tape, not cheap "masking" tape. And clean well before applying it, e.g. sugar soap.

    Looks like the cabinet doors are basic, but in good condition. I'd suggest replacing those plastic handles as a cheap way to make them look new.
    Ikea is worth checking - http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/categories/departments/kit… .
    Hopefully the hole spacing is standard.

    • Happy501 on 13/05/2014 - 10:20

      Thanks manic, the wife is very happy that you posted the link. There are some great choices at Ikea.

      We are sanding it all back now, should be some photos up this evening.

    • Happy501 on 03/08/2016 - 20:28
      +1

      We did!! thank you.

  • TIKS on 12/05/2014 - 19:59

    Looks awesome! The wife has wanted me to do this for a while now, this may be the motivation I need!

  • AMLagonda on 13/05/2014 - 00:27

    I would have removed the stove top aswell :)

  • Geewhizz on 13/05/2014 - 15:24

    Looks terrific. I can't wait to see your finished product.

  • Happy501 on 13/05/2014 - 16:14
    +1

    Hi all, I have added three more photos. The first is how the flakes sat overnight, the second and third is how it looks now after a sanding down.

    I still need to add the gloss coat in two hours.

    I am very happy with how it looks so far. My biggest mistake was underestimating how useful the "wetting agent" is at creating a stronger bond of flakes to the undercoat. To be fair to myself the difference where there was more wetting agent and not is so negligible that I can't even capture the difference in a photo to show you all.

    • Geewhizz on 14/05/2014 - 15:57

      From the original pics you posted I thought it was a sand colour.

      Just out of interest, what is the wetting agent? I'd just assumed you'd put it on while you still had a wet coat of paint, but evidently not?

      A few years ago our local tip shop had about half a pallet of Designer Flake and we figured it would be a cheap way of fixing our crappy (really crappy) kitchen, but it was the non slip stuff and try as I might I was unable to sift out the sand particles.

      • Happy501 on 14/05/2014 - 16:16
        +1

        The wetting agent goes on the cream/sand coloured base coat. They say it is to keep the base coat moist and to increase adhesion of the decorative flakes that go on next.

        The final coat of top coat is on now and it looks great (when considering the price!!). Any worries I had about having a patchy finish are now gone.

        I will take and post another photo now although the sink is not back in yet.

        The best part of this has not been my new kitchen bench, rather that the young wife is over the moon and looking at me with glee. It looks all shiny and pretty without all the cost and heartache of having a big reno, which we could not come close to affording.

        Oh and the flakes were perfect quality.

  • mrshorty on 14/05/2014 - 15:37

    Looks awesome - ive been considering getting the kit. How long did the sanding take? And its all just using a hand sander that comes in the box (ie no electric sander)?

    • Happy501 on 14/05/2014 - 16:20

      I used the diamond embedded tool (included) which roughs the surface.

      I felt how rough it made the bench then used a 60 grain sand disc on my multi tool. It took me two hours but the second hour was due to me being neurotic about it not being good enough and redoing it while examining everything twice. If i were to do it again it would take me 40 min and i would just go hard the whole time with the multi tool and use maybe 2-3 sand disks ( i dont even know if that is what they are called!)

  • fritzsticker on 25/07/2016 - 01:33

    Thanks op very informative.. Pix are 404

  • Daniel Plainview on 02/08/2016 - 21:48

    Nice post and something I'd been considering for a while - would be great if you can get your pix back up again. :-)

    • Happy501 on 03/08/2016 - 16:19

      Hi guys. I will see if i can find them on dropbox. If not i will take some new ones and post them online. The counter is still impressive and lasting well.

    • Happy501 on 03/08/2016 - 20:18

      http://imgur.com/a/JSYUc

      • fritzsticker on 04/08/2016 - 14:38

        Pix looks nice op.. Great work.. Does it really look like a stone now when youbare up close??

        • Happy501 on 04/08/2016 - 14:46

          It has not degraded it two years. For $200 dollars it looks a LOT like stone. When i tell people it is not their hands rub it straight away to check. I have done a lot of home reno's and this is my favourite dollar for reward of the whole house.

  • Daniel Plainview on 04/08/2016 - 16:35
    +1

    OP,

    Much thanks for popping the pictures back up again. FWIW you did a fantastic job and I'll actually use this to show my wife what a good job this product can do.

    Heck of a job and thanks for sharing. :-)

    • Happy501 on 04/08/2016 - 20:15

      anytime, let me know if you want any tips

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