Tag Archives: best countertop colors

How Do You Bring Granite Countertops Back to Life?

Granite countertops are popular among homeowners due to their durability, elegance, and timeless appeal. While this is the case, even the most beautiful granite countertops can lose their shine over time if not properly maintained.

If your granite surfaces are beginning to look dull, don’t worry—restoring their natural luster is easier than you might think. In this guide, we’ll show you how to bring your countertops back to life and make them look new:

Clean the countertops with the right products.

The first step in bringing your granite countertops back to life is to clean them on a regular basis. Avoid using harsh or acidic cleansers, as these can damage the surface. Instead, choose a pH-neutral cleanser formulated exclusively for granite.

You can make your own by combining mild dish soap and warm water. Wipe off the surface with a soft microfiber cloth or sponge, and be sure to clear up any spills or crumbs right away to avoid stains.

To be on the safe side, avoid using vinegar, lemon juice, or bleach since these will etch the granite and dull its appearance over time.

Wiping the surface alone will not provide a complete clean surface that you are looking for. Scrubbing is necessary for deep cleaning. Granite countertops have sealants to make them stain-resistant and shiny.

Use a pH-neutral granite cleaning solution and apply it carefully and meticulously to the countertop. Anything too basic or acidic may degrade the sealant, so avoid bleach and vinegar.

A gentle sponge, soap, and water are all you need. Avoid using abrasive pads for scrubbing.

Polish with granite safe polish

Periodically polishing your granite countertops will restore their sheen and give them a glossy appearance. You can use a granite-specific polish or make your solution by combining water and rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle (1:1).

Spray the solution onto the counter, wipe it off with a microfiber cloth, then buff the surface to restore the shine.

For the best results, polish your granite worktops at least once a week or whenever they become dull.

You can polish your granite countertop with wet or dry material, depending on the manufacturer and the primary color of the stone. Some of the options you have include:

Granite Polishing Powder

This is a quick and easy solution to restore the brilliance of your granite countertop while also removing minor stains and scratches.

Granite polishing cream

This compound contains gentle abrasives that are ideal for premium-manufactured granite surfaces. It is perfect for countertops that have been in place for years.

Cooking oil

You can also dampen a soft cleaning cloth with cooking oil and wipe it around the counter. This improves the countertop’s stain resistance and brightness.

Reseal the countertop surfaces.

Granite is a porous stone that you must seal to keep stains and moisture from entering the surface. Over time, the sealer wears off, leaving your granite less polished and more subject to harm. Resealing your granite countertops can help keep its protective layer and improve its luster.

To determine whether your granite needs resealing, perform a simple water test: pour a little amount of water on the surface and wait 15-20 minutes. If water soaks into the granite rather than beads up, it is time to reseal.

To reseal the countertops, purchase granite sealant from your local hardware store.

  • Clean and dry the work surface completely.
  • Apply the sealant evenly to the surface and allow it to set for the prescribed period.
  • Wipe away any excess with a clean towel and let the surface dry completely before applying it again.

To provide the best protection and gloss, reseal your granite worktops every 12-18 months.

Buff the surface for extra shine.

If your granite worktop still lacks shine after cleaning and polishing, rubbing it using a high-quality granite polishing powder may assist. This process requires the use of a particular granite buffing compound, which is available in most hardware and stone-care stores.

Follow the product’s instructions, applying it using a soft cloth or a power buffer for an extra glossy finish.

Buffing should only be done on occasion; excessive buffing can wear down the surface over time, and you don’t want this.

Avoid pitfalls that can dull your surfaces.

To maintain your granite worktops looking their best, you should avoid the following things:

Harsh chemicals: As previously stated, acidic or abrasive cleaners can harm surfaces.

Using blades directly on the surface: Although granite is a durable material, knives can scratch or dull its sheen.

Heavy objects: Avoid placing heavy pots or appliances directly on the surface, as this might result in fractures or dents.

Hot pots and pans: Always use trivets or heat-resistant mats to avoid thermal stress, which can harm the granite.

Take good care of the surfaces.

Consistent maintenance is essential for keeping your granite worktops looking their best. Regular cleaning, polishing, and resealing of your granite worktops will keep them looking beautiful and glossy for many years.

To avoid long-term problems, clean up any spills, stains, or damage as soon as possible.

Replace the countertops

Even with cleaning and resealing and ongoing care, a granite countertop may not be completely repaired, especially if it’s more than 15 years old. Replacement may be one of the few possibilities for achieving a finished and repaired appearance, but it can be pricey.

If you don’t want to spend the money, refinishing material may be a cheaper option. Also, replacing your granite countertops does not have to be a total loss if you investigate and uncover wholesale sellers, outdated styles, or leftover bits and scraps that will significantly reduce the cost of any replacement.

Parting shot

These are some of the things you can do to bring your granite countertops to life. As you have seen, it’s not hard to do it. To keep your granite kitchen countertops Raleigh from getting too damaged or too dull that you have to rescue them, make it a habit to take good care of them.

This calls for you to be ultra-cautious about what you put on them. You also should be ultra-cautious with the materials you use to clean the surfaces, as you don’t want to cause harm.

How Do You Paint Countertops?

Whether you have wooden, laminate, or any other countertop materials, painting the countertops will save you a lot of money, as you don’t have to undertake countertop replacement.

Painting the countertops also goes a long way towards improving their look and that of the entire kitchen, not to mention making the kitchen appear hygienic.

How do you paint countertops? Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Find the right colors

Begin with choosing the right paint colors for your countertops. Of course, this will be heavily influenced by your taste and desired look. If you love granite, find a color that matches your desired granite color.

If you have never painted before, this is the time to practice how to paint. Thankfully, painting is easy, and you can get a handle on it within a short time. You simply need to buy extra paint and find a blank canvas, and practice.

Step 2: Prep the surface

If you have been using your countertops, they are definitely dirty, and you need to clean and degrease them. Besides doing this, you have to sand the surfaces to provide a larger surface area for the paint to adhere to. First, use 150-grit sandpaper, then go over it with a 220-grit paper.

Once you have done this, tape off the walls, around the sink, and under the counters to prevent the paint from getting there.

To ensure that your countertops are immaculate, wipe down the surfaces with paint thinner.

Some of the other things you should do to prepare the surfaces include:

  • Remove any caulking around the countertops. One of the best tools to use for the job is an Exacto knife and screwdriver. When removing caulking, take care not to gauge your drywall.
  • Plug the faucet holes with proper towels or something that will prevent the paint from going down the openings.
  • Remove the drain and faucet.
  • Keep the kitchen area well ventilated by keeping the windows open and, if possible, place a box fan in the window pointing the outside to suck the fumes out. When painting, wear a respirator to avoid inhaling the fumes.
  • Place a baggie over the drain pipes and secure it with a rubber band to prevent the sewer gas from coming into the room.

Step 3: Prime the surface

Priming the surface simply means applying the primer on the surface. This prepares the surfaces for the paint, so you are more likely to get ideal results.  For the best outcome, you might have to apply at least two coats of the primer.

Step 4: Paint the countertops.

Once the surfaces are properly primed, now it’s time to paint them. How do you do it? If you had practiced earlier, you will have an easier time painting the surfaces.

Begin with dipping a sponge in the paint and apply it on the countertops.  Start painting from the smallish section of the countertops, then step back and look at it. Do you like how it looks? If you do, proceed and cover the entire countertop surface. For the best outcome, you might have to apply two paint coats on the countertops.

Step 5: Seal the countertops.

To lock the paint in place, you might have to seal it. There are plenty of sealing products you can use, and all you need to do is choose the most appropriate for your surfaces. The sealer you choose should be tough such that you can’t easily remove it by water. It also shouldn’t have an off-putting smell.

Step 6: Re-caulk

It’s always recommended that you wait at least 24 hours before doing anything with your countertops.

After 24 hours, re-caulk around the edges to prevent water from settling into the spaces between the counter and wall. Use bath and kitchen waterproof caulk for the best outcome and the caulking to last for a long time.

When applying the caulk, you should note that it’s not only about the caulk doing its work—it also needs to look good. Some of the tips to make this possible include:

  • Wear a latex glove
  • Caulk the edges
  • Dip a gloved finger in the water and run it over the wet caulking. The purpose of doing this is to give the caulk a smooth finish.
  • If you find it hard to properly caulk the kitchen countertops NC, hire a professional to help you out.