Give Your Kitchen New Life with Kitchen Countertop Refinishing

Is your kitchen looking a little dull? Take a look at your countertops. Chances are, they could do with some upkeep. Kitchen countertop refinishing is a great idea for those who don't want to replace kitchen counters, only give them new life.

If you wood countertops like many people, then kitchen countertop refinishing is a fairly easy project that you can tackle on your own over the weekend. Let's take a look at the steps involved in kitchen countertop refinishing for wood countertops:

** Refinishing Tip ** An unusual idea came from one magazine which showed how to make dispensers from clay which would not be a material that would automatically spring to mind. Decoration that does not cost a great is always popular so using pleasing prints or photos at strategic places can be effective without any effect on your bank balance. There is no reason to allow this room to stay dull and uninviting any longer with all the ideas and materials available today.

Firstly, protect your kitchen floors with a large tarp or plastic sheeting. Make sure the kitchen is well ventilated so that you won't breathe in harmful fumes. Next, apply a gel-based paint stripper to your counters. Always go in the direction of the wood grain and brush evenly onto small sections. Let the gel sit on your countertops for around 20 minutes.

Next, gently scrape the gel off with a putty knife, once more working in the direction of the wood grain. Clean off any excess thinner with steel wool.

This is followed by sanding. Use both 150-grit and 220-grit to sand the countertops, going in the direction of the grain. Use a cloth to remove excess grit after sanding. To fill in scratches or dents that sanding doesn't take care of, use a wood filler.

Then, you'll need to stain the wood. Apply one to three coats of the stain of your choice, followed by three coats of an oil based polyurethane for protection and shine. Allow each coat to dry before applying another, and as always, make sure you've got plenty of ventilation and fresh air in your kitchen.

** Refinishing Tip ** On bathrooms... Deciding on the right bathroom tile design for your home will not be a simple matter when you start your remodeling project; an idea of what style you are looking for before you choose will always save some time. As tiles have become increasingly popular, there has been a corresponding increase in the number of designs available especially from other countries. The use of marble, especially Italian, natural stones and the traditional harlequin tile designs are the more common but some of the newer types with lots of colors are fast becoming favorites too.

And it's done! You'll be surprised at how simple it is to perform kitchen countertop refinishing on your own. Refinished counters add beauty and value to your home, and provide a durable, beautiful counter area to perform all your kitchen activities. If you don't want to do the job yourself, there are many contractors out there who can do it for you for a reasonable price.

Copyright 2006 Pete Bennet - All Rights Reserved

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