Quartz & Granite Worktops

Worktop Paint Guide

Can you paint kitchen worktops? | Stone Synergy
15 Jul

A Guide to Painting Your Worktops

Is your kitchen feeling a little tired? Are you dreaming of a new look without the hefty price tag of replacing your entire worktops? Well, you might be in luck! Painting your kitchen worktops can be a surprisingly effective way to breathe new life into your space.

In this guide, we’ll explore the possibility of painting different types of worktops, the general steps involved, and some of the popular products you might have come across.

Can You Really Paint a Kitchen Worktop?

The short answer is yes, often you can! However, it’s crucial to understand that the success and longevity of your painted worktop depend heavily on the material of your existing worktop and the quality of your preparation and chosen paint.

Worktop Paintability: A Quick Guide for UK Kitchens

Worktop Type Painting Potential Things to Keep in Mind Expected Paint Durability Other Ideas for a Refresh
Laminate Good Proper prep (sanding, degreasing), decent primer must-have, look for “laminate paint”, thin coats work best. Fair to Good New laminate sheet fitting, decorative sticky-back plastic (handle with care near heat/water), good scrub and new bits & bobs on top.
Solid Wood Excellent Sand well to give the paint something to grip, think about wood grain and if you need a stain-blocking undercoat, use tough kitchen paint/varnish. Good to Very Good Sanding and re-oiling/varnishing, staining a different colour, a good clean and maybe some new chopping boards.
MDF/Veneer Okay-ish Like laminate, but go easy on the sanding if it’s a thin veneer, good primer is key, try to keep it dry afterwards. Fair New veneer (tricky job!), sticky-back plastic (handle with care), a good clean and some new tea towels can make a difference.
Granite Not Really Paint doesn’t tend to stick well to the smooth surface. Might find specialist stuff, but not usually worth the hassle. Low Professional clean and seal, new kitchen bits and bobs to distract, maybe look into professional resurfacing.
Quartz Not Really Similar to granite, paint struggles to grab onto it. Likely to scratch off easily. Low Good clean, new bits and bobs, perhaps think about professional resurfacing if you’re desperate for a change.
Ceramic/Porcelain Tiles Tricky Painting the grout might freshen things up, painting the tiles themselves is hard due to the shiny surface. Special tile paints exist with careful prep. Low to Fair (tile paint) Grout cleaner or recolouring pens, replacing broken tiles, new kitchen accessories.
Dekton/Silestone Definitely Not These are super tough and non-porous, paint won’t take to them at all. Very Low Good clean and maybe treat yourself to some new kitchenware to change the feel.

Painting Quartz Worktops:

  • Generally, painting quartz worktops is not recommended. Quartz is a non-porous material engineered from natural quartz and resins. Its smooth, sealed surface is designed to be highly resistant to stains and scratches, which also makes it very difficult for paint to adhere properly and durably.
  • Any paint applied is likely to scratch or peel easily, especially with the daily use and cleaning that kitchen worktops endure.
  • Attempting to paint quartz could also potentially damage the surface.

Painting Granite Worktops:

  • Similar to quartz, painting granite worktops is generally not a good idea. Granite is a natural stone that is also relatively non-porous, especially when sealed (which most kitchen granite worktops are).
  • Paint will likely have difficulty adhering to the smooth, sealed surface and will be prone to chipping and peeling.
  • The process could also potentially harm the granite’s finish.

Painting Ceramic/Porcelain Worktops:

  • Painting porcelain or ceramic worktops is also generally not recommended. These materials are typically very smooth, hard, and non-porous, making it challenging for paint to bond effectively.
  • Like quartz and granite, any paint applied is unlikely to be durable and will likely scratch or peel with regular use.

Painting Dekton Worktops:

  • Painting Dekton worktops is highly discouraged. Dekton is an ultra-compact surface known for its extreme durability, non-porosity, and resistance to scratches, stains, and heat. These very properties that make it an excellent worktop material also make it virtually impossible for paint to adhere successfully.

Painting Silestone Worktops:

Painting Silestone worktops is generally not recommended. Silestone is another engineered stone made primarily of quartz, similar in its non-porous nature and resistance to stains. This makes paint adhesion very difficult and the resulting finish unlikely to be durable.

Painting Other Worktops:

  • As you can see from the specifics above, the feasibility of painting a worktop heavily depends on the material it’s made from.
  • While laminate and wood worktops can often be successfully painted with the right preparation and products, non-porous, sealed stone or engineered stone surfaces like quartz, granite, ceramic/porcelain, Dekton, and Silestone are generally not suitable for painting due to issues with paint adhesion and durability.

In Summary:

If you have worktops made of quartz, granite, ceramic/porcelain, Dekton, or Silestone, painting is generally not a viable or recommended solution for updating their appearance. You would likely be better off exploring other options such as thorough cleaning, professional polishing (for natural stone), or ultimately, replacement if you are looking for a significant change.

For laminate and wood worktops, the information provided in the previous blog post still applies – careful preparation and the right type of paint are key to a successful outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is painting my kitchen worktop really a good idea, or just a quick fix?

It depends on your expectations and the material of your worktop. For laminate and solid wood, a well-executed paint job with the right products can offer a significant and relatively durable refresh. However, it’s generally not a permanent solution like a brand-new worktop. For non-porous materials like granite or quartz, it’s typically a very short-term and unsatisfactory fix.

What’s the biggest mistake people make when painting their worktops?

Skimping on the preparation! Inadequate cleaning, insufficient sanding, or skipping primer are the biggest culprits behind peeling, chipping, and an uneven finish. Take your time with the prep work – it’s the foundation for a successful paint job.

Will painted worktops be food safe? I prepare meals directly on mine sometimes.

This is a crucial question! Most standard paints are not food safe. If you prepare food directly on your worktop, you must use a food-safe sealant specifically designed for painted surfaces once the paint is fully cured. Look for certifications that confirm food safety. However, even with a sealant, it’s generally advisable to use cutting boards and avoid placing food directly on painted areas where possible to prolong the finish.