I have two questions, first has anyone ever painted formica counter tops? I just saw something about doing a faux marble effect. That sound hard, is it? Second, I have nasty nasty brown 70's tile on my kitchen coutner tops, the grout is nasty, I feel like I can't get it clean. I saw once on decorating cents, a lady used 1x4 lumber and replaced her counter tops with it and used boat sealer to make it water proof. Has anyone ever done anything like that? I desperatly need new counter tops, but can't afford solid surface or even laminate right now.

I have seen where people have painted them on line and was going to try it but it take a really long time to do it coats drying time..... then polying it to seal.... a long process and you kitchen is kinda off limits while doing it so in that case it is about the same or maybe just a little more for us to just re formica it with the dinning our costs of painting it and cost of paint and supples.. We will be re formicaing the counter top tho we will not be paying to have it installed it will be about $1 a sq foot but we may also tile it if we can find some tile we like for the same cost. HTH.... I don't think I could do the wood thing I like a nice smooth surface to work on. I make a lot of cookies at x-mas time and roll the dough right on the counter top it wold be hard if it wasn't smooth.

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If you like smooth surfaces, don't do the tile. That's one of reason's I want new, the grout is hard to clean, and you can't roll out anything on it.

I have not tried any of the above, but you are gutsy and must be handy to take on a project like this on your own! There are so many little things that I would forget and say "oh c*@p" while doing the project. It would take me forever to do it!

Good Luck. Try and post before and after pictures once you redo it - I would be interested in seeing them.

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The Only Way To Paint It And Make It Last Is To Use An Apoxy Or The Same Thing They Use On The Hull Of A Boat. Both Options Will Cost As Much As A New Counter Top.