Revamping My Laminate Kitchen Counters

In my previous post about my kitchen cabinets, I mentioned that I made some updates to my kitchen. One of the updates involved painting my laminate kitchen countertops. I decided to use chalk paint again and started by painting my island with two coats of Rust-oleum Linen White chalk paint, which turned out well. Initially, I intended to keep the countertops white. After researching, I looked for a suitable topcoat that would provide a nice shine. Although I considered using epoxy, I thought it may involve more than I wanted to do, including the timing and mixing. Therefore, I chose a water-based Minwax clear gloss. Since I used white paint, I learned that a water-based topcoat would prevent the countertops from yellowing. Despite applying two coats and not achieving the desired level of glossiness, I was content with the outcome. However, the next day, I noticed yellowing, which intensified over time. Strike 1.

I visited my nearby hardware store and was informed that without using epoxy, any product I applied would cause my counters to yellow. Despite feeling let down, I chose to disregard their suggestion and opted for Rust-Oleum's Chalked protective topcoat matte clear. I was aware that using a matte finish would not give me the glossy look I desired, but I was seeking a cost-effective and simple solution, which led me to this choice.

After lightly sanding my countertop and applying two coats of white chalk paint, I got the idea to create a marbled effect. Despite not being very skilled in crafts, I decided to give it a try. I watched some tutorials on YouTube to get an idea of the technique. Using a small paintbrush for veins, a larger brush to blend them, a water bottle to help spread them, and a mixture of gray and white chalk paint, I attempted the marble effect. Although I didn't have a feather as recommended in one of the videos, I proceeded with the process. After completing my island, I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome and applied two coats of protective finish the following day. I left it to dry for a week, and the final result can be seen in the photo below.

After a week, there was no sign of yellowing, which was excellent news! Encouraged by this, I replicated the process on my other countertop. Given my limited counter space, I felt I had an edge in the task. Surprisingly, it was the first time I considered this limitation an advantage. However, despite following the same steps, I was disappointed with the outcome - Strike 2. Undeterred, I tried again, but it still fell short of my expectations - Strike 3. Determined to get it right, I made one final attempt. I realized that being a perfectionist doesn't always lead to success. I discovered I could not achieve the flawless look seen in the videos. Wishing I had a feather to help me, I applied two coats of the topcoat, and the final results are displayed below.

So far so good. The countertops are holding the paint well and are not turning yellow. Let me know what you think.

Before After