Ok trying to find ideas to refurbish a bench top in the kitchen. In a rental and bench is to say the least scuddy. No surface left marked badly and chance of landlord replacing 'nil'. Trying to think about what I can do with it, other than rip it out and sadly that's past my DIY skills. So thinking outside of box, Concrete paint? Would that work, or some tiles in centre and paint around? Has to have some sort of covering rather than just clear marine varnish or likes. Has the rounded edge coming over to bench cupboards underneath and going up semi splash back to taps making it shape a lot harder to tile completely (unless there is someway I haven't though of.) And really needs to be within a poor man's budget. I don't mind doing the work and spending abit of money and time. But using what I guess is the question? And out of the box type idea's or in pictures anyone seen in mag's or likes? Thank in advance :)
woody89,
Jun 9, 9:09pm
Bunnings etc have special effect paint type kits. I gather the surface is prepared & then work through the coatings in the kit to produce a stone effect look finished product. I've not tried it but would consider if for a refresh of a bad surface.
anne1955,
Jun 9, 9:16pm
Thanks when I next go to city I'll have a look, Sounds good :) wonder on pricing lol But thanks will look at be keen to hear if anyone has used it. Cheers
voyager4,
Jun 9, 9:19pm
What is the bench top made from, formica, concrete, etc. That will limit how you can refurbish it.
zak410,
Jun 9, 10:39pm
Can you glue vinyl on it ? If you do, chose a soft one that can curve easily around the front edge and for the splash-back
inatiz,
Jun 10, 12:12am
Have you asked your landlord if he would be ok with you doing this? If he is ok with it he may even offer to pay for materials.
anne1955,
Jun 10, 4:43am
Hi it's bloody old formica :) Another person asked if I had asked permission from landlord Sorry can't stop laughing A man that's insulating a ceiling when it's open to the weather from rotting boards. Sorry I think not it comes under improvements. And getting funds from same love having a sense of humor myself. Sorry this guy seems to have no idea on anything, spend's money doing unneeded things, but just doing simple maintenance, he hasn't got that one yet :) Under new laws tenants are allowed much more freeway to do such. Yes he will be told/asked :) But unless he has a violable reason the landlords have lost a lot of rights. Now I actually am not in total agreement with new laws I personally think the they work against both landlords and tenants.But I am only trying to make the home I rent decent Ok some won't agree. And in other rentals people have said why do things to improve things for the landlord. Just because I have to rent I don't have to live in squalor Well I don't believe I have to. Spent full day in garden today and will be many more of them ahead of me. The old guy now dead that owned here I will do proud again :) Thanks people for ideas to date, I'll do a good sand and seal first, and then look at how I can improve it.
May have replied to wrong people in comments sorry head buzzing with things :)
anne1955,
Jun 10, 4:51am
Hadn't given thought to using that Cheers. Was thinking of inputting a cutting board large size into middle of bench, sealing with water proof sealant around that and then doing a tile or something, but softer vinyl might just work and then any other parts needing sealing do them. And re seal all he bad tiling in bath room :) it's already moldy and only had a tenant for aa few months prior to being vacant again. Thanks that's a great idea. Was thinking along other things and think first answer and yours are both great Nice winter job when I can't rebuild a what was stunning garden :)
tegretol,
Jun 11, 3:40am
Painting or sticking on vynil will produce a useless and soft surface.
Realistically, the only way to fix it is to either cover it up with stainless steel sheeting or rip it out and replace it. Personally, I prefer a tiled or a raw timber surface - in our rentals we have the raw timber and when it gets marked then the belt sander works wonders. A dose of potable sealing oil once a year makes it look a million dollars but at least the timber surface can be dealt to.
anne1955,
Jun 11, 4:02am
Thanks understand that, come be my landlord :) I will look at what first I think it was replier said with something Bunnings put out. Was laughing today trying to get windows open and fresh air in. all but 2 in a house painted closed. so one can see what I am up against :)
tygertung,
Jun 11, 4:07am
Use some resene supergloss enamel paint. A couple of coats should be reasonably durable, and can easily just touch it up.
lakeview3,
Jun 11, 5:22am
Ask your landlord first but you can buy quite nice benchtops from Bunnings etc or another option is I knew someone who painted hers with marine grade paint. She said it was quite durable. Could ask a paint shop?
We have a large kitchen bench and are going to paint it. Yes, you can get a kit to do it and step by step instructions. A friend of mine is an interior decorator and had an old house she did up. She asked a painter what to do with a scuddy old kitchen bench in her older house and I cannot believe the beautiful DIY job she did with a silver finish. Looks like stainless steel. I know she has been in there for several years and it is as good as new, no wear at all. I am looking forward to having a go at ours, its huge, they brought it in through the windows before they put them into the extended kitchen and its 20 years old, so pretty out of date.
tygertung,
Jun 11, 7:46am
Yes, you will need to scuff the surface sufficiently first.
tegretol,
Jun 11, 8:58am
And how would you fill the imperfections? And how would you deal with the softness of paint? Get real.
tygertung,
Jun 11, 6:21pm
Don't bother with filling imperfections. Resense Supergloss is an oil based enamel and is not soft. I use it for marine use on racing dinghys, and it is pretty durable.
oh_hunnihunni,
Jun 11, 7:05pm
You could always layer it up with a decent couple of coats of marine varnish. Double the protection.
I did that to a paper collaged particle board bench, and it lasted quite a few years. Which considering the materials, surprised me somewhat.
It looked fantastic too.
lythande1,
Jun 11, 7:08pm
Then you can't paint it. How about that vinyl sticky stuff, I saw a net thing a while back where some lady had bought some from Kmart I think and done her kitchen with it.
hammer23,
Jun 11, 7:57pm
The simplest way for you is to go to a Resene shop and talk the job through with them. Their staff and products are excellent. Once you have painted it try and protect the bench top with say draining trays or washable matts as the painted surface will still wear. I think you will be o.k just be assertive with the owner,in fact ask him to pay for the paint,it is a tax deduction for him. $300.00 may cover it. Best of luck.
hammer23,
Jun 11, 8:56pm
Check out u tube,they will have some answers.
articferrit,
Jun 11, 9:33pm
Resene sell a bench top refurbishment kit, or can you cover the bench with marine ply and paint or danish oil it? or cover it by gluing on a thin sheet of stainless steel?
blueviking,
Jun 12, 6:21pm
So if you have no openable windows, how did the house pass the ventilation requirements under the Healthy homes act?
blueviking,
Jun 12, 6:26pm
Right, try and find someone that can use a router. Route out the bad bits and try and match this to a tile size. seal the wood first and then glue your tiles so they are level with the rest of the bench, easier to wipe, than having bits sticking out.
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