Corian is a surface material that’s a very popular option for making countertops. It’s extremely durable and easy to maintain, making it an ideal choice for your kitchen or bathroom.
However, most people hesitate to go for this material because it can be difficult to paint over, which limits your options when you want to refresh the look of your home with a new coat of paint.
Can you paint a Corian countertop? Yes, you can paint a Corian countertop at home as long as you prepare and prime it properly. In fact, changing the color of a Corian countertop is a bit easier than it might seem. There are a few factors that can help make this process easier.
Since the cost of a new Corian countertop can be quite significant, we would discourage people from attempting the painting process without being fully informed about this material.
Even though it’s not an impossible task, changing the color of a Corian countertop can still require some effort. In this article, let’s take a look at how you can effectively paint Corian countertops yourself.
What Are Corian Countertops?
You’ve heard of Corian as a surface material before, but do you really know what it is?
In 1967, DuPont introduced the brand material Corian, which is a type of material that’s made from alumina trihydrate (ATH) and acrylic polymer. It works similarly to other types of resin, where the substance is liquid after mixing and cures to become a hard, solid form.
Corian is a hugely popular material for kitchen countertops for many reasons. It is durable and resistant to scratches, food stains, and heat. It’s also cheaper than most natural materials, like wood and marble, making it an affordable option for those who don’t want to sacrifice quality for the price.
In addition to being stylish, Corian can be easily matched to existing decor, and it can be molded or cut so that it seamlessly integrates sinks and backsplashes into the countertop.
Corian also comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, so you’re sure to find something you like. Some designs even imitate natural materials like concrete, quartz, or marble, so you can match the design style of your home without having to invest in an expensive countertop.
Can You Paint Corian Counters?
Because of how smooth and non-porous Corian is, it can be intimidating to paint, especially if you don’t know what kind of paint will work well with this material.
As we’ve mentioned, you can easily paint Corian countertops with a fresh coat of paint using the right type of paint and the right technique.
You can paint Corian with epoxy paint, but the surface has to be properly cleaned and prepared first. Epoxy paint is a good choice for this type of project because it is designed to work well with non-porous surfaces such as Corian.
Epoxy and Corian are very similar in terms of composition and characteristics. After curing, the epoxy paint will become impact-resistant, water-resistant, slip-resistant, easy to clean and maintain. Epoxy paint is also food-safe after it is completely cured, which means you can safely use the surface for your kitchen counter.
That said, painting Corian is not as simple as painting most surfaces. Because Corian is super smooth and non-porous, it’s important to prep the surface so the paint will adhere well and stay on the surface.
When working with epoxy paint, because this is a type of paint with a high level of VOCs after mixing, it’s always best to work in a well-ventilated area and wear protective equipment to avoid inhaling toxic fumes.
Let’s take a look at the right way to paint Corian countertops below.
How To Paint Corian Countertops
If you would like to repaint an old kitchen countertop that has already been used for a while, there are a few things you will need to do before painting.
You will need:
- Sponges
- A strong degreaser (especially if you are repainting an old kitchen countertop)
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Epoxy primer
- Epoxy paint
- Epoxy sealant (optional)
- A clean paint roller or brush
A quick note about rollers or brushes when applying epoxy paint: Both are fine to apply epoxy paint. While a nap roller is good for applying in large areas, a brush can get into small corners and get a more precise application.
If you are using a roller, make sure to use one with a 3/16 inch nap for a more efficient application. If you are using a brush, a bristle brush will do a better job of picking up the paint.
Whatever you use, make sure that the applicator is clean since any kind of lint or hair can get trapped in the paint as a result. Once you have prepared everything, let’s get to prepping and painting.
1. Cleaning
Cleaning your Corian countertop to remove any dirt and grease is the most important step in this process. If your kitchen countertop has already been used for a while, chances are, you’ll find some kitchen grease or dirt on the countertop that can affect the paint’s performance.
If there’s any dirt or grease on the countertop, the paint simply won’t stick to the surface and will appear patchy when it is cured. Because of this, cleaning the countertop thoroughly, while time-consuming, can really make a difference in how the final result will look.
With a strong degreaser and a scrubber, clean the entire surface of your Corian countertop. After loosening up the grease, you can go over the area with soap and water to make sure that the surface is clean. Do this as many times as you need, as it is the most important step in this process.
After the Corian countertop is clean, you can use a clean cloth to dry it off.
2. Sanding
Because Corian is a smooth, non-porous surface, if you were to paint the surface right away, the paint will have a hard time maintaining a grip on the surface, and it will likely chip or peel after some use.
This is why sanding is highly recommended before painting the Corian surface. Sanding will create a light texture for the Corian surface, which will create tiny spaces for the paint to grasp onto and give it a better chance of staying.
After your countertop is clean and dry, use fine-grit sandpaper to lightly sand the surface. In this step, just make sure to go evenly all throughout the entire surface so that the level is even. Remember, you’re not stripping anything, just creating texture, so there’s no need to go too hard.
After you are happy with the surface, use a damp washcloth to wipe the sanding dust away to prepare a clean surface for painting. Then, you should wait for at least 12 to 24 hours to allow the surface to dry completely before getting started on painting.
3. Priming
Before priming the surface, use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe down the surface one more time to make sure that it is completely clean.
Remember, any kind of dirty remaining on the surface can affect how the final result will look and how the paint will perform, so it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Then, go over the entire surface with an epoxy primer of your choice. This step is optional, but since Corian is a smooth, non-porous surface, it’s always good to use an epoxy primer to give the paint a better performance.
4. Painting
Give the primer some time so that it dries completely (which can take a few hours). Then, apply a layer of your epoxy paint.
If you want to apply several layers of paint to achieve the desired color, you should wait for the first layer to dry completely before applying the next coat, and so on.
5. Sealing
This step is optional but highly recommended. This is because epoxy paint is durable but still needs some protection against the wear and tear of everyday use.
Since a kitchen or bathroom counter is something that is used every day, some scratches and dents are unavoidable. However, what you don’t want is the old color of your kitchen counter peeking out from underneath the epoxy paint layer because of an unfortunate scratch!
A clear sealant can add durability and wear protection to help you avoid these issues. Since it’s designed for this exact purpose, your color coat can really withstand the abuse.
A clear topcoat doesn’t just protect the color coat, though; it also makes the paint job look much better. That means that if you have any scratches on your Corian counter, they won’t be nearly as visible once you’ve added a clear topcoat.
And finally, a clear sealant can easily be reapplied every once in a while to refresh the look of your countertop, which is much simpler than painting.
If you want your epoxy paint to withstand wear and tear, then adding a layer of clear epoxy sealant is definitely recommended.
After the paint layers are completely dry, you can apply a layer of clear epoxy sealant to protect the paint layers, and voila, your Corian countertop will look as good as new!
Up Next: UV Resin Vs Epoxy – What’s The Difference?
