My $100 camper makeover is moving along at the speed of paint drying. So while I’m in between washing paintbrushes, I’ll fill you in on the latest project: How to Paint Laminate Countertops.

This camper needed an update on just about every square inch, not the least of which were the countertops. I wanted something durable and more modern looking than the khaki colored laminate with faux wood trim.

(If you’re new to this series, be sure to check out week 1 and week 2 of the challenge to see where all this is coming from.)

Painting Countertops for my Camper Makeover

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For a previous $100 Room Challenge, I updated our guest bathroom by covering the vanity countertop and sink with concrete. I love it for that space, but I didn’t want to add the weight of concrete to our camper. So I decided to try Rustoleum’s Countertop Paint.

Countertop Colors

This countertop paint can be tinted to 12 different colors, which are shown on the label. (I wish Rustoleum would provide larger examples of the colors.) After waffling a bit, I chose the color “putty” to compliment my newly painted light gray cabinets.

How to Paint Laminate Countertops

Painting these dated laminate countertops was so easy and gratifying, it made me wonder why I hadn’t done it a long time ago.

Clean

First, I cleaned the countertops really well with Krud Kutter, my favorite degreaser and cleaner for prepping paint projects.

Prep

I taped off all the edges of the walls, sinks, and stove with blue painter’s tape. (By the way, especially in the kitchen, it’s really important to clean all the surfaces well or your tape won’t stick.)

Ventilate

Then I opened all the windows and turned on the exhaust fan over the stove and in the bathroom. The back of the can says “use in a well-ventilated area” which is somewhat of a euphemism for “this stuff will singe your nose hairs off.” I had read that the smell was pretty strong, and I was not disappointed. One reviewer said, “It stinks pretty bad but it won’t kill you.” I found this to be true. Barely.

Paint

Finally it was time to paint! I brushed on a light coat of the paint, trying to minimize brush lines. If I had larger spaces to paint, I would have preferred to use a foam roller, but it just wouldn’t have fit.

I painted right up to the tape lines, and over the front faux wood edging. (Have I mentioned how much faux wood was everywhere in this camper?) The edging is rubber, so I’ll have to update this post after a while and let you know how the paint is holding up. But the paint went on like a dream, so I’m hoping it will continue to adhere well.

When I was done with the first coat on all the countertops, I went back and applied another light coat immediately. The paint can says you can reapply within one hour, or after 24 hours, and I wanted to be done with this stinky part of the project as quickly as possible.

Dry

You’re supposed to let your countertops cure in low humidity (not a problem here in the desert) for 3 days before setting anything on them. I plan on giving them a full 7 days, just to be sure.

Results

After 3 days, I pulled off the tape to reveal nice clean edges. (Is it just me, or is tape-pulling one of your favorite parts of a painting project?)

I do wish I would have applied the paint a little thinner, maybe with a tiny foam touch-up roller, because I can see the brush lines when the light shines on the surface. But overall I’m so happy with the new color and how it modernizes this space.

Camper Makeover Plans

Now I can get to work on the rest of the painting projects in this camper, and I better work fast because next week is already reveal week! The cabinets are still in process and taking over my dining room.

And I’ve painted the wood panels on the fridge black to tie it all together. I used some leftover Chalkboard Paint since it was free, and it gives me the option of using that space for messages or rainy day drawings.

I still need to:

• Finish painting the cabinets
• Apply the wallpaper backsplash
• Re-upholster the window coverings
• Redecorate the beds with new (repurposed) linens

Week 1 ~ Week 2 ~ Week 3 (You’re here) ~ Week 4

Yikes, gotta run! While I’m working on that, be sure to check out my other blogger friends’ progress on their $100 Room Challenge projects…