Hey guys! I wanted to share a craft room update because I’ve finished my white painted countertops and cabinets! I built these countertops many weeks ago because I needed them in place so I could build my angled cabinets.
The countertops are a layer of MDF glued to a layer of plywood. The island is very large so I had to use two pieces of each material so I made sure to stagger the seams and strategically place them off center, over the cabinets.
White Painted Countertops and Cabinets
Now that the cabinets are all finished it’s time to complete the countertops because the cabinets and countertops will both be painted white at the same time. I secure 1×2 poplar to the face of my countertop sandwich with glue and nails. I shot nails into both the MDF and plywood layers, alternately.
When I say I used glue — I’m talking enough glue to cover the entire face of the countertop and the back of the poplar with plenty extra that squeezed out. I wanted that poplar stuck for life! After the glue had dried, I used a scraper to scrape off all the glue squeeze out as well as a few dried puddles of paint. I hadn’t tried to protect this countertop at all during the projects that took place after the countertop installation. I learned my lesson from my Pantry Countertop not to even bother with finishing the countertop until after everything else was done.
I scraped off all the glue and then sanded the entire surface down to a super smooth finish.
Then I primed. I use a water borne primer (Sherwin Williams ProBlock). I don’t like using oil based products with my sprayer because it opens up the door to a whole slew of additional concerns like — combustion. Also, I don’t like cleaning up with chemicals.
I primed the cabinets and countertop together. Do you like my spider web of green tape on my brick wall? I was using scraps of plastic left over from painting my plank ceiling.
After the primer dried I went in and lightly sanded everything. Water borne primer raises the wood grain (AND wood fibers in MDF) so it’s important to sand after priming. I sanded the column moulding and inside the two open shelf cabinets by hand. The cabinets that didn’t get primed will house drawers so I didn’t bother priming them — though I did hit them with primer on my second coat just because all that visible brown will bug me too much until I get drawers installed.
I sanded the flat faceframes and the countertop surface with an electric sander. After sanding, I vacuumed and wiped everything down with a damp cloth. I vacuumed the cabinets, countertops and the floors. I don’t want any dust in this room that can settle into my paint as it dries. I also have a fan in the window that pulls the air from the room and exhausts it out the window. That helps tremendously preventing the room from becoming a big cloud of overspray.
I did a second coat of primer in just a few areas where I felt the first coat was too thin. Then I put down my first coat of paint. I’m using an acrylic latex enamel, semi gloss paint. (Sherwin Williams ProClassic in Decorator White.)
I sprayed a second coat the next morning. I found a couple areas where I had been overzealous with my paint spraying and had some paint drips I had to shave off. I also found one spot on my island countertop that felt rough to the touch so I sanded that again and then went ahead and added a third coat to the islands.
I put the paint on pretty thick on the islands because they are flat, horizontal surfaces and the paint will level out as it dries. This paint is my go-to paint for cabientry. It levels out really well and dries hard so it is very durable. I will add a topcoat to just the white painted countertops for extra durability since they are going to get some serious crafting use. I am letting my paint cure for two weeks before I do my top coat though so I’m moving on with other tasks and will just have to tape off and cover surfaces when I come back to spray on my topcoat.
I know I’ve said this a few times not but I’m GETTING EXCITED about this space!
Feral Turtle says
I am excited for you Sandra! It looks amazing. Can hardly wait to see all the great projects you create in your new domain! Happy weekend!
Sandra says
It will be exciting to actually use the room! Thanks.
Tom says
Are you going to be doing drawers for the upper cabinets? Can you tell us more about that? Very cool project!
Sandra says
That is my plan and I’m sure I’ll tell you all about it after I do it. 🙂
Deb says
Looks awesome !
Sharon c says
Wow, this is looking so gorgeous. You are one serious designer, creator and builder! I’m in awe of your talent and skills. Amazing!!!!!
Dave Carpenter says
Why go to all that trouble finishing your wonderful project and make that wall look like that!!!!!
It looks as if you have forgotten to paint it!!!
Sandra says
We all have our likes and dislikes. I like that wall and wanted it to look just like that. 🙂
gail says
agree – it’s gorgeous!
Dave Carpenter says
SORRY !!!!!!!!!
Sandra Clair says
What product are you going to use as the topcoat for the countertop? I love how they look and want to try my hand at it too!
Geoff Roberts says
Sherwin Williams Top Coat in Decorator white
Suzanne says
I LOVE your room. I could only hope to be so crafty. I still have about a year you go before my little garage space will be available for use. Keep up the GREAT work!
pj says
Gorgeous and amazing ( both you and your build) So wishing it was mine. I do live vicariously through your projects. Thanks for sharing, I learn a lot from you.
Sandra says
Thanks PJ.
Roxanne says
What paint sprayer did you use?
Mike says
Have you used painted countertops before? I’m wondering how well they will withstand scratching and chipping.
MATT says
I’m sorry, but your countertops won’t last a week.
There’s a reason why they use hard and resistant surfaces such granite, quartz, or laminate.
That paint WILL NOT last. unless you somehow have a super-hard layer of clear epoxy on the top.
Sandra says
I spent a lot of time thinking about all the options I had and did not want stone or concrete because I’ll be setting grommets and pounding on the countertop with a mallet. I knew I would do wood, either painted or with an overlay. We’ll see how it holds up.
Jake's a Girl says
Absolutely gorgeous of course! I love it!
Kris says
Wow. Totally impressed
Mindi says
Sandra you are kicking some serious trash on this room, it is looking Amazing!! Awesome job!
Kat says
I paint an array of items you never want to use a polyurethane on any white service on poly acrylic polyurethane wll turn your white yellow..since your countertop is flat have you ever thought about using an clear epoxy by building a form of melamine cover wood and you can line any wood will foil tape and just slowly mix small amounts of epoxy smooth out with a large flat putry knife or squeegee then build the height you want and then let set it will be more durable than just the MDF alone. Well hope you at least try it on a sample piece first takes days to set up. Good luck!!!! Kat at K&W Designs. LLC
Carol says
You do absolutely beautiful work. Since it’s been a while, do you have an update on how well the countertop on your island held up? I would think that with the care you took in building and finishing it that it would still be in great shape. So glad I found your posts.
Sandra says
It still looked great when we sold the house in Jan 2020.