How To Build DIY Wood Countertops In A Day
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July 30, 2019
This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase something via one of my links, I may make a small commission. Want a show stopping focal point in your kitchen, bathroom or laundry room makeover? Well you can make beautiful plywood countertop in one afternoon. It's easier and cheaper than you think. With a few supplies and basic tools, you can complete the entire project in no time. Here's the simple tutorial for this DIY project, all the easy steps and an update of how it's held up over the past 6 years.
I've always had a thing for wooden countertops.*If you just want the directions...scroll down, there's a detailed tutorial. Long before I knew what a blog was and years before the farmhouse trend came roaring back into style, I was smitten. When we added a kitchen in our first cottage, I fleetingly considered the idea, but in a house that we knew we weren't going to stay in, it wasn't a practical expense, so I didn't push. When we moved here, however, I repeatedly mentioned them anyone who would listen to me during our second kitchen addition. The contractor, my husband, the kitchen designer and most of my friends had the same reaction. I believe their exact words were, Are you crazy??Well, when it comes to design, possibly, but I like what I like and honestly what's so crazy about wooden countertops? Every countertop material out there requires some kind of care and has issues. Marble stains, granite and laminate counters chip and formica peels. Plus none of them are cheap. Wood seemed sensible to me, a good choice, plus it was warm and elegant. Dining tables are made of wood. Boats are made of wood. Why not a countertop?And what made it different from a butcher block countertop? No one really had a good answer for me, but I lost out. So, when developing bathroom renovation plans, I thought, now is my chance. It took a little bit of wrangling, begging and badgering, but eventually my sweet husband gave in and whipped up a beautiful DIY wooden countertop from plywood in one day. It seriously took longer to talk about it, than it did to do it. Ok, so the sealing did take about a week to complete, due to the drying time necessary between coats, but the construction itself was quick, easy to do and very inexpensive. All in all, it was a giant success. How To Build A DIY Wooden Countertop With Plywood
The process was relatively simple.Supplies:
Plywood sheet - we used mapleWood moulding/ trimStraight edgeGrit sandpaperSawFinish nailsWood glueWood fillerPermanent markerStainPolyurethaneConstruction:
We knew we didn't want the seams you get with planks, we wanted a smooth surface, so we went with plywood.But we didn't want to use regular plywood, so we opted for a 3/4 inch maple topped sheet of plywood that we grabbed right off the shelf at Home Depot.
1. Choose Your Wood
Maple is a hard, clear wood, with a simple grain. It was perfect for our needs since it came in giant sheets so there wouldn't be any seams on our DIY countertops. Keep in mind we put our countertop in the bathroom, but this same technique could be used in a kitchen, pantry or laundry room, as well. On a very large span you would have to have seams, but they'd be minimal and easy to hide.2. Cut It To Size
Choosing a piece was simple, we borrowed a straight edge from the hardware aisle to make sure that our sheet was perfectly square and then we asked the nice man at the store to cut it on their saw. My husband could've done it at home, but why bother when they'll do it there for free!? Plus, their saw is larger and can make very straight cuts. I use this service all the time when I make my DIY wooden signs.
3. Choose Trim Moulding
Next, we wandered over to the trim aisle where we picked out a wood moulding to cover the raw edges of the plywood. Our plywood sheet was 3/4" thick, so we chose a 1 and 1/2" moulding and headed home.4. Cut And Attach Trim
Since the piece was already cut to the proper size, the only real construction was adding the moulding to the front and one side. The other side and back wall were bordered by tile. They didn't require trim. My husband just measured, cut the corners with a circular saw and used wood glue to secure the strips in place. He also used very small finishing nails, countersunk them, and covered the holes with a drop of wood filler.5. Add Wood Filler In Gaps And Sand
As I said, we made sure the wood was square before we left the store, so the moulding fit tight against the maple. Since there was barely a discernible gap, no wood filler was necessary. Lastly, he gave the entire piece a quick sanding to give the sides and top surface a smooth finish.
Update: This picture is a little out of order, since it's already been stained, but it is relevant to the construction. It's a view of the underside of the countertop, so you can see that the trim does overhang the plywood top a bit.
6. Stain It
Once complete, he brought it inside and plopped it on the vanity, or sink base, to check the fit.
Then it was back outside to stain it. This is what we used: Varathane Classic Stain in Red Oak. There's a variety of colors, so you can choose one that suits your style and it provides a very durable surface.
Phase one completed on a Sunday...idea conceived, items purchased, built and stained all in one afternoon. Of course, the next step, adding several coats of polyurethane, took several more days.7. Seal It
For that part of the project, we used Varathane Ultimate Oil Based Clear Polyurethane in Clear Satin.
Now. I know a lot of people are going to ask, and have already asked, why we didn't use a marine grade poly. Here's the thing. My husband has built wooden boats and he's used those products. They smell horrible, take forever to dry and he felt that a basic polyurethane would be sufficient for our needs. It's wood, so we expect a little wear and we've used this technique before on our kitchen tables when they've been refinished and so far, so good. No water stains, rings or damage. Water beads up and rolls away. So we went with it and I have no reason to believe it'll be any different.And if you keep reading you'll see that years later, it's still looking great!Pssst- If you do have them, here's a great trick to remove water stains from wood. 8. Cut The Sink Hole
The last part of this process involved cutting in the sink, which I also picked up off the shelf at Home Depot. We were a bit nervous after our last sink install, but it worked out well. This sink came with complete instructions and a template that my husband used to set its location.
We wanted to change things up a bit and center it over the cabinet. Once we were happy with the placement, he taped the template in place and removed the center of the paper. He then traced the oval onto the countertop with a black permanent marker.
9. Silicone It And Fixture In Place
Next, he carried the entire top back outside and cut the hole out. He brought it back inside to check the placement and then siliconed the sink in place. When the sink and fixture were set and dry, it was finally time to glue the wooden countertop onto our updated bathroom vanity.
In less than a week, I had an absolutely beautiful, brand new, custom, plywood wooden countertop for my bathroom. Cottage style sophistication, just as charming as I thought it would be and totally fitting for my 1920's beach bungalow. And I didn't have to wait for a delivery or need a temporary countertop in the meantime. It was quick.
While we had to buy the entire sheet of maple plywood, we only used a quarter of it. So if we break down the cost by what we actually used, minus the sink and fixture, this project cost us less than $30.
Best of all, I still have a very large piece of that maple plywood leftover. Hmmm. I mean, I really do love my laminate kitchen countertops, but hey, since we already have the supplies.... I'll keep you posted. 😉 Update! Since someone asked I took a picture of the countertop this weekend to show how it's holding up- April of 2020. Totally perfect. In July of 2025 it still looks the same!Since everyone always asks, how well do wooden countertops hold up, I thought I'd share that, as well.
Heavily used by a family with teens and their friends. It's used for makeup and brushing teeth, hair washing (and coloring!) and they don't always wipe up that water.
DIY DIY|Projects by Kim Next Home Previous Post a Comment | 61 Comments
Hey~ before you go, let me know what you think! I love comments and respond to them all.*Please refer to our privacy policy if you have questions regarding your profile and note that comments with links will not be published.
JunkchiccottageJuly 30, 2019 at 3:51 PMHi Kim,Wow how fabulous is this counter top. Your hubby did a great job. I love the wood counter with the painted vanity. So pretty.The bathroom is coming together nicely.Hugs,Kris
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Kim July 30, 2019 at 4:05 PMThanks Kris! He fought me on it, but in the end, it really wasn’t that much work. And I am smiling ear to ear and so is he. Happy wife…well, you know… 😉
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cloches and lavenderJuly 30, 2019 at 3:51 PMYay you got your wood. Same process my husband used to make a folding table in our laundry room. He does the same at Home Depot. It's worth it especially when it's free.Great tutorial. Enjoy Cindy
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Kim July 30, 2019 at 4:08 PMThank you! It really is pretty in person, Cindy...and don't you love that Home Depot service? I use it often, whenever I make a wooden sign or do something with a board I need to buy, I have them cut it. And my husband is thrilled when he doesn't have to lug out the big saw...and like you said, it's free!! Woo hoo!
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A Joyful CottageJuly 30, 2019 at 3:57 PMLooks fabulous, Kim! Love it. Is that pretty vanity new? I think I missed that post. Now I have to backtrack and find out what escaped me! Hugs, Nancy
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Kim July 30, 2019 at 4:10 PMThank you, Nancy!! And that's our old vanity with a fresh face. And a new top!! So glad you like the look. Hugs!!
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My thrift store addictionJuly 30, 2019 at 4:02 PM
I love how this turned out, Kim!
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Kim July 30, 2019 at 4:11 PMThank you so much, Cecilia!! I hope it’s a wonderful afternoon in your neck of the woods!!
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Penny from Enjoying The Simple ThingsJuly 30, 2019 at 4:25 PMIt turned out fabulous!
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Kim July 30, 2019 at 5:20 PMThanks Penny!! 😊
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Maria ElenaJuly 30, 2019 at 5:52 PMIt is beautiful Kim! What a fabulous project!
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Kim July 30, 2019 at 6:07 PMThank you so much, Maria Elena! My husband really outdid himself on this one…and I am smiling.
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Sara (Birdz of a Feather)July 30, 2019 at 6:22 PMGlad you won out! You hit the nail on the head when you said it took longer to talk about it than actually do it. That’s so often the case with us too 🤣.
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Kim July 30, 2019 at 6:47 PMI have an uncle who used to say that to us all the time, Sara. As a child, I didn't realize how true his words were- as an adult, I totally get it and quote him often to my own kids! They love that. 😜
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MariJuly 30, 2019 at 8:42 PM
I have to admit, I would never have thought to have a wood countertop, but it turned out beautiful! And what a bargain!
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Kim August 1, 2019 at 10:45 AMThank you so much, Mari...and yes, much less expensive than buying a quartz, marble or stone top. It was definitely a plus.
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AnonymousJuly 30, 2019 at 10:31 PMwood just gives something nothing else does! very beautiful darling bean. xo
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Kim August 1, 2019 at 10:44 AMThank you so much, Tammy!! And I totally agree...wood is warm...❤️
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Betty July 30, 2019 at 10:54 PMI love it. Hubby made two tables with wood like that about 5 years ago. They are in the living room and looking still nice.
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Kim August 1, 2019 at 10:43 AMThere's nothing like wood, Betty...or a handy husband! 😉
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Marilyn @ MountainTopSpiceJuly 31, 2019 at 1:41 AMThis is fabulous Kim! It is perfect in your bathroom, and I love the rich wood tones against the white, amazing! You have such an eye for design! I agree, many times a difficult chore takes more time to talk about then to actually do it. Glad that this process went so well for you, and it is wonderful that you can get wood cut to size at HD for free!
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Kim August 1, 2019 at 10:50 AMThank you so much, Marilyn! I'm glad that I stuck to what I wanted this time around and that it ended up being easy to make and inexpensive. And don't you love that about HD?? That is a great service and I use it all the time.
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Michelle LeslieJuly 31, 2019 at 1:50 AMBrilliant Kim. I love the contrast between the warm, dark top and the clean, white bottom on your vanity. So classy. Your bathroom is looking soooooo good.
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Kim August 1, 2019 at 10:52 AMThank you so much, Michelle! I have to say, I love the drama of the contrast. Hats off to my husband...
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DebbieJuly 31, 2019 at 1:24 PMLove it! I love the cottage look. We just did a wood sink top in our powder room and love the look. I want to build something similar for our backyard. I'll most likely have to use marine grade poly!
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Kim August 1, 2019 at 10:42 AMI bet it's beautiful, Debbie, and yes, if it's outside, exposed to the elements, I'd probably opt for the marine poly, too. I hope you share that project with us when you're done!
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Judy at GoldCountryCottageJuly 31, 2019 at 3:34 PM
Kim, this is a great how to project and you and hubby did a wonderful job on it. It looks so rich and high end in your room. Just perfect and I don't think you will ever be disappointed that you took the plunge. Many years ago my dad cut down his own black walnut tree, milled the wood in his own saw mill and built the kitchen counters for my mom out of it. It was beautiful and stood for many years in the home I grew up in. Years later, we took an antique oak washstand, inserted a sink and put it in our bathroom. It went through kids use for many years and now, Tami, still has it in her guest bathroom and Jake used it for 20+ years. It is surprising how wood holds up..Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy
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Kim August 1, 2019 at 10:55 AMThose walnut countertops sound wonderful, Judy. I think my husband would enjoy that process. He loves woodworking. And I love your washstand sink...sounds like you have always been ahead of your time when it comes to decor, since that's all the rage right now! I love that look and looked for a piece to do that with, but this is as close to that look as I'm going to get. xoxo
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Julie's Creative LifestyleAugust 1, 2019 at 9:13 AMWOW, I love how nice the vanity came out and the wood top looks great. You are so lucky to have a handy husband who made a beautiful bathroom for you Kim! Enjoy it.
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Kim August 1, 2019 at 10:38 AMThanks so much, Julie! He really is a gem and never seems to get sick of my crazy design ideas!
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Carla from The RiverAugust 1, 2019 at 3:09 PM
I like the idea. I am a wood girl. When I was growing up we had friends who had a cabin that had pine cabinets and counters in the kitchen. I LOVED IT!This really looks fantastic Kim!
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Kim August 1, 2019 at 4:26 PMThere's something about wood that adds an undeniable warmth to a home. We have pine walls in the living room (someone painted them years ago, but the texture is still there) and in the basement (not painted!) and I love the feel and the look. It's nice that we've been able to extend a bit of it into the bathroom. And thank you!! I'll pass your kind words on to my master craftsman! 😊
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BenitaAugust 2, 2019 at 4:59 PMI love how the wooden countertop looks on your bathroom vanity and I think it would look absolutely beautiful in your kitchen! It is never a crazy thing to save money and look good! :-) Can't wait to see how it looks in the kitchen if/when you guys decide about it! Love and hugs!
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Kim August 7, 2019 at 11:13 AMThanks Benita!! I'll keep you posted...I've got a little work to do on that man. Ha!! Hugs!!
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handmade by amaliaAugust 3, 2019 at 12:37 AM
This is impressive, Kim, and looks so beautiful. Good for you! We are having a very hot and humid spell just now and at home with the AC is the nicest place to be. I'm getting a lot of little projects done, trying to figure out how so much stuff made its way in when I've only Marie Konded a few months ago. Darn that love of shopping.Amaliaxo
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Kim August 7, 2019 at 11:13 AMAmalia, I’m right there with you. The creativity bug has bitten me this summer, and while I’ve been mostly making over things I already own, there have a been a few new additions. That shopping pull is strong!! Enjoy your AC…it’s hot here, too!! xxoo
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NanaDianaAugust 4, 2019 at 8:42 AMWow! What a fantastic job, Kim. It is very professional looking and what a great update! Love it! xo Diana
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Kim August 7, 2019 at 11:10 AMThanks Diana! He's more of a perfectionist than I am, so I knew I was in good hands. xoxo
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ChristineAugust 6, 2019 at 2:22 PMHi Kim, I popped in from Marilyn's blog, Mountain Top Spice. What I enjoyed about your post, is that you have large pictures and go step-by-step with your projects!Plus, you have a great style in writing,(love the humor).I'll be back!
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Kim August 6, 2019 at 4:29 PMChristine, you just totally made my day, thank you so much!! As a former teacher I strive for clear tutorials that people can easily follow and as a writer, your words made me smile from ear to ear. Humor and a well told tale are always the goal. Thank you for the visit and I’m excited to see you in the comments more often! 😊
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AnonymousApril 24, 2020 at 10:41 AMHello! Beautiful work! Just checking..,I too am eyeing plywood for the benefit of budget. Can you tell me if you’ve had any issues with the maple veneer? Water and plywood veneer are mortal enemies, I’m afraid to risk it! How is it holding up? Any bubbling or lifting, cracks in the veneer? Thank you so much!
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Kim April 28, 2020 at 11:36 PMThanks so much! I have to say it's held up great. No damage, not even a tiny water spot. Nothing. The kids use the bathroom every day, it's their main bathroom. They use that sink and counter for teeth brushing, hair washing, make up removal, etc. I think the key is a lot of polyurethane. I believe my husband used four coats. I hope that helps!
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SaminIowaAugust 15, 2020 at 7:33 PMDo you prefer a certain brand for polyurethane? And what stain color did you use?
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Kim August 15, 2020 at 7:37 PMHi Sam, I will check the garage tomorrow morning for the name of the stain and the brand of poly we used and post it here in the comments and update the post. Thanks for asking.
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Kim August 30, 2020 at 6:44 PMSam! I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to answer you. We lost power, internet etc, from a storm. We used Varathane Classic Wood Stain In Red Oak and we used Varathane Ultimate Polyurethane - Clear - Oil Based. We got both products at Home Depot. Hope that helps!
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PaulDDecember 26, 2020 at 5:58 PMKim - What kind of trim did you use to match the maple? Poplar?
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Kim December 26, 2020 at 6:02 PMHi Paul, Yes, I believe so, it’s actually a door stop moulding, because it has a nice square edge. It’s smooth. I’m trying to look on the Home Depot website to see if I can find it exactly. If I do, I will update the post and the comment. Hope that helps!
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PaulDDecember 26, 2020 at 9:21 PMThanks! Let me know if you find it. I want to try to match the maple plywood.
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DiyLisaJanuary 26, 2021 at 12:44 PMIs there any additional support under the 3/4" plywood just curious(may have missed something) as most countertops are around 1.5 thick. Love this idea and wondering how it would work in a kitchen.
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Kim January 26, 2021 at 1:04 PMHi Lisa! Thanks for the question. We did not add any additional support under the plywood. I asked my husband about the process and your inquiry and here's his response: No we didn’t add additional support as the sink was very light and the span across where it rested on the cabinet frame isn’t very far. We didn’t feel it needed additional support. You could easily add wood strips as support directly to the underside of the wooden countertop or as additional framing attached to the cabinet frame going across in two places if needed. I hope that information helps!
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AnonymousFebruary 9, 2021 at 4:33 PMYou mentioned that the trim you bought is 1.5" wide. The plywood is 3/4". Forgive a stupid question, but does the trim just hang down an extra 3/4" below the plywood? I can't tell from the photos. -Michael
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Kim February 9, 2021 at 5:02 PMGreat question, Michael, thanks for asking and you prompted me to add a photo of it to clarify. It's up above and labeled with "update"...but the simple answer is yes, it does hang down. Hope that helps!
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AnonymousJanuary 21, 2023 at 10:53 PMI'm a few years late but hoping you can answer my question! I'm wanting to do this for the countertops in my living room but one side is almost 10 foot long. Longest I'm finding in length for purchase is 8ft. You mentioned in the article that there is a simple solution for larger scale counters to still get that seamless appearance. Can you explain that or direct me to where I can find that answer? My fiancé thought I was bonkers when I mentioned plywood but he is on board now after seeing what you've done! Great work!
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Kim January 22, 2023 at 8:49 PMHi there! Oh I'm so glad you found this post useful. They do make 10ft pieces of plywood. We've purchased them. They're used for furniture or cabinetry, but you can only get them at a lumber yard. I would start there.They usually have a finished top. If you can't find that the best way to hide the seams is to make sure the pieces are joined well, so they are flush, tight. You may have to bolster the joint underneath with a small piece of wood, with glue and short screws, so there's strength where they meet and they don't move. You'll still see the seam, but that's the best way to minimize it. Hope that helps!
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AnonymousJune 8, 2023 at 8:19 PMWe just bought a house that was wood countertops I live them except they are stained red. The former owner lived coca cola...I want to restain them. Should I sand them down first air just paint over them. I am changing them to black.
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Kim June 16, 2023 at 2:06 PMHi there! Hmmm...I would say if you're going to paint them black, I would prime them and then paint them, but I would use a good sealer over the paint so it doesn't chip. If you're going to stain them black, then I would sand them to remove the old color first...and again seal them with a good strong sealer to protect them. Best of luck and congrats on the new house! How exciting!!
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Kim June 16, 2023 at 2:08 PMOh also, I know some people use a product like Citristrip stripping gel to remove paint and then sand. I've never used it, but it comes highly recommended in DIY circles.
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AnonymousAugust 1, 2023 at 9:19 PMHey! Just curious how these are holding up in August of 2023. We’re debating on using this same technique for an 8’ countertop for our basement dry bar!
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Kim August 1, 2023 at 9:32 PMSo far, so good! It looks exactly the same. I'll put a video up on my Instagram so you can see it live in a bit. I have kids that use the bathroom...makeup, hair dye, toothpaste and they're not neat and it looks perfect. I say go for it. I'm sure you'll treat yours a lot more carefully than ours is treated on a daily basis! It sounds like a really cool project and I hope that helps!
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NathanAugust 1, 2023 at 9:24 PMHas the countertop required any maintenance/refinishing since installing?
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Kim August 1, 2023 at 9:27 PMHey Nathan! No maintenance at all! It still looks perfect...I just wipe it with a damp cloth a few times a week and it still has that shine. A good sealer and you're good to go!
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Hi, I'm Kim! Welcome to Exquisitely Unremarkable. My cozy little home on the web, where I tell stories, share cottage style home decor, thrift finds, simple DIYs, elegant crafts and more from my 1929 beach bungalow. Come on in and stay a while! Read more... Looking For Something?
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Junkchiccottage
Kim
cloches and lavender
A Joyful Cottage
Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things
Maria Elena
Sara (Birdz of a Feather)
Betty
Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice
Julie's Creative Lifestyle
Benita
NanaDiana
Christine