Kitchen and bathroom countertops come made in a variety of materials. The most beautiful and most durable countertops are made of expensive marble or granite or stainless steel. Of course it would be cost prohibitive to install these types of countertops in most apartments. Most of the countertops we have in our units today are made of a laminate or sometimes called formica. Laminates come in a wide spectrum of colors and patterns. The patterns on laminates are usually only a picture of wood grain or speckles that has been applied in the final finish. The wood grain or color pattern is not continuous throughout the entire thickness of the plastic. When the surface becomes scratched it exposes the solid plastic beneath. A laminate is a thin sheet of plastic that covers a sheet of wood or some other material to make a countertop. I have very rarely seen a laminate countertop wear out, but I have seen hundreds that have been damaged by residents who didn't take care of them. I have seen cigarette burns on the edges, pot and pan burns, cut marks from not using cutting boards and all types of scratches. Replacing these damaged laminate countertops can be costly. The countertops themselves are not that expensive ($10-$20 per foot), but the labor to remove the old countertop and replace with the new, adds significantly to the total expense. Are there any options that will allow us to restore the countertop to an acceptable appearance for a reasonable price? Let's discuss a couple options for your consideration.

Let me preface by saying that I have yet to find a paint, gel coat, or glazing that can hold up to the normal wear and tear that rental units must endure. I have refinished thousands of countertops over the years. I have found that to expect more than one tenancy of a year or more is usually wishful thinking. There will always be those rare residents that take care of the apartment like it truly belonged to them. Once a countertop has been refinished, it's much harder to keep it looking new than a new countertop that has never been refinished.

The cheapest option you will find will be to simply buy some spray paint from a home improvement store and paint them yourself. You can make a countertop look pretty good for less than $50. Start by removing the caulking at the wall and clean the countertop surface with some heavy-duty cleanser. Lightly sand the surface so the paint sticks then wipe the countertop off with some lacquer thinner. Tape the walls, sink and fixture off with some masking tape and newspaper. Now you should be ready to start spraying or rolling your paint. They sell special paints that are recommended for countertops. Consult your local home improvement store for the brand they can suggest. Make sure the room is well ventilated and be sure to wear a mask. Most countertops that are refinished this way will show the stroke marks from the roller or spray patterns. This type of finish does not adhere to the countertop as well as other methods and will not cure as hard.