Kitchen Counter Make-Over - not to be missed!

FINALLY!!  A few rainy days have given me time to finish and photograph my kitchen counter make-over and WE LOVE IT!!    I purchased the counter top kit last November before we moved in, and it only took until May to have a chance to dig it out. Not too shabby!

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      Before -
  beige laminate

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AFTER - Slate Grey Concrete like finish.

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The process....

Cleaning and taping are the only prep needed - no pre-sanding of any kind!!

Step Two - This adhesive mix is sort of like sand mixed in glue, and is applied twice, with 4 hours of drying and lots of sanding after each coat.

Day two is where you feel like you are really doing something!  After following a video tutorial I mixed up the thick batter and began troweling it on.   I had taped off and hung plastic over the cabinets but had not prepared for the mess I was going to make on the floor.  At least once it hardens I could scrape it up... a little scrubbing did the trick! 

Each of these THREE layers also have to cure and then get sanded.  I started early enough in the morning to actually complete all three in one day - and had a few fans going to keep the rainy day from slowing down the drying process.

Day 3 was the sealer and boy did it make the slate color pop!  That night I put on the satin top coat and now I'm in LOVE!! 

The game plan is that later this summer/fall, the two cabinets above the sink will be torn out, with new subway tile going up and open wood shelving.  I can't wait until that happens and I'm sure it will feel so much more updated.

If you are interested in this process and product, I used Encore Countertop Kit.  It was some work but I would not hesitate to do it again! So worth it for a smidgen of the cost compared to putting in real concrete countertops.

Good Luck!!