Although applying a simple topcoat on the countertops doesn’t seem like a hard job, it’s tough to find the best top coat for painted countertops that work best for you. However, it’s not impossible.
Your bathroom or kitchen countertop deals with a lot, including heated pots, rough utensil usage, water spills, stains, and whatnot. You can do the least for it by adding a layer of topcoat that will-
- Protect your painted countertops from stains, scratches, cracking, and fading
- Offer resistance heat and unfavorable weather conditions
- Give your painted countertops a finished look with a shine on top to amaze your guests and peers.
So, the top coating does seem like a need. Then let’s head away to the best topcoats now!
Table of Contents
In a Rush? Take a Quick Look at the List of Our Favorite Products –
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
PREMIUM PICK  | General Finishes Water Based Topcoat | “Highly durable with a UV protection feature” | Check Price |
 | Varathane 200241H Ultimate Polyurethane | “High clarity with outstanding stain and scratch resistance” | Check Price |
 | Giani Granite Paint Kit | “This resin provides attractive super glossy finish on the tabletop, canvas, bar, and others” | Check Price |
 | Minwax Polyurethane Clear Finish | “Long lasting topcoat with a quick drying feature” | Check Price |
 | Epoxy Super Gloss Coating | “It offers multisurface painting with essential tools to cover from top to bottom” | Check Price |
Best Top Coat for Painted Countertops Reviews 2022
1. General Finishes Water Based Topcoat – Best Protective Top Coat for Countertops
Key Features:
- Net weight: 1 Qt / 0.95L
- Drying time: 1-2 hours
- Water-based formula
- Durable polyurethane topcoat
- The formula includes a UV stabilizer
- Available in 4 variants
Are you searching for the most durable topcoat for your countertops? You’ve probably found it. Take a look at the General finishes water-based topcoat.
Not all topcoats can endure everyday wear and tear. But thanks to the high durability of this one, it’ll take care of all the regular use without fading or cracking.
I loved the UV stabilizer feature, which means even the sun cannot damage the rigid topcoat. But the best part is how easy to clean it is because it’s already stain resistant.
You can choose from 4 different types including, flat, gloss, semi-gloss, and satin, as per your choice. Don’t take too long, because customers are rushing to get it!
- It offers protection from UV rays and prohibits cracking
- It does not fade away with time
- Long-lasting top coat
- Perfect for interior use even on floors
- Provides stain resistance
- Fastest drying top coat
- Not suitable for use on white paint as it might turn yellowish with time
2. Varathane 200241H Water-Based Ultimate Polyurethane – Best Topcoat for Stain Resistance
Key Features:
- Net weight: 1 Qt / 0.95L
- Coverage: 125 sq. ft
- Full cure time: 2 hours
- Durable water-based formula
- Excellent scratch and stain resistance
- Suitable for interior use on wood
- It offers a satin finish with high clarity
It’s hard to find a product that keeps its word to 100%. But luckily, as Varathane ultimate polyurethane promises to offer a classic look and protection, so it does.
It is a quick-drying formula that is ready to get the second coat in only 2 hours! With a superb satin finish, it gives your countertops a natural sheen.
We always worry if topcoats will be resilient enough to endure the regular stain, scratches, and wear-tear. Thankfully, Varathane is reliable.
The best part is you only need water and soap to clean it up in minutes! For enhancing the beauty of your intricate furniture, this one is a necessity!
- Fast-drying formula
- Easy to clean with water and soap
- It gives your furniture a natural look
- 33% more durable than typical formulas
- Easy application
- Just the right consistency
- Not the best choice for white surfaces
- A bit pricey
3. Giani Granite Paint Kit
Key Features:
- Net weight: 36 fluid oz/ 1.06L
- Full cure time: 16 hours
- Kit Coverage: 35 sq. ft
- Water-based top coat
- Low odor formula
- Available in 5 colors
Can you change the looks of your dull and worn-out countertop without replacement? The Giani countertop paint kit seems like an excellent solution. This is one of the Best Countertop Paint.
With laudable durability, it makes sure your painted countertop topcoat can deal with everyday stress. And it works great for different materials, including laminate, marble, granite, Formica, and so on.
Don’t worry about spending on multiple kits because one kit covers up to 35 sq. ft. The kit has every tool you need for a complete transformation of your countertop in three easy steps.
It’s time you start the makeover of your countertop with a classy gloss finish.
- It offers a glossy finish
- Works great for indoors
- Easy to clean with soap and water
- Holds great against regular usage
- It comes with a one-year limited warranty
- It gives a nice texture to your countertops
- It takes longer to dry
4. Minwax 63010444 Polyurethane Clear Finish – Best Fast Drying Top Coat
Key Features:
- Net weight: 1 Qt / 0.95L
- Drying time: 1 hour
- Durable polyurethane topcoat
- Long-lasting protection to a wooden surface
- Oil-based formula ideal for interior use
- Available in satin, gloss, and semi-gloss sheens
Do you wish for a long-lasting topcoat you can apply on any wooden surface? Your wish has become real with the Minwax Polyurethane clear finish.
As I said, it is suitable for any interior wood surface, whether it’s finished or unfinished. It’s not only usable on countertops but perfect for doors, windows, cabinets, furniture, and even floors!
The water-based formula offers a gorgeous sheen along with excellent protection. It even dries within a couple of hours!
Superior durability with awestruck beauty! That’s precisely what Minwax is offering here for your high-end countertops.
- Superfast drying
- It offers a clear coat
- Durable
- Suitable for both unfinished and finished surfaces
- You can use it on any interior wooden projects
- It cannot be applied to furniture outdoors
5. EPOXY Resin – Best for Super Gloss Coating and TABLETOPS
Key Features:
- Net weight: 1.89 L x 2 gallons
- Drying time: 1-2 hours
- Coverage: 25 sq.ft
- Clear polymer offers a rich gloss
- Protection from UV and air humidity
- Water-resistant and durable
Can you think of a painted countertop topcoat that only offers a great sheen but also protection from harsh weather? You’re about to as you look into the Epoxy resin coating.
Mix the solutions as per the instruction to get a durable formula for coating your countertops. Considering the appearance, this one will offer you a super gloss smooth finish to enhance your kitchens’ beauty.
The formula is not only right for your countertops but also for you as it is entirely free from any odor! And due to the water-resistant property, you don’t have to worry about water spilling on your countertops anymore.
So, what’s taking you so long to make the purchase?
- It gives a smooth and clear finish
- Odorless
- It takes less time to dry
- Ideal use for larger areas
- User-convenient
- Ideal for interior and intricate objects
- Advanced self-leveling formula
- Only available in one size
Buying Guide- How to Choose a Topcoat For Painted Countertops?
If our collection of the best top coats for painted countertops isn’t quite what you had in mind, you can choose your own. Just take a look at the factors you need to considering before settling on a topcoat.
Types of topcoats for countertops
Before we go to an in-depth search mission of an ideal topcoat requirement, let’s know the types we can choose.
Epoxy:
Things we love about it-
- Dries quickly and offers a nice shiny texture
- Perfect for concealing the imperfections or inconsistencies
- Does not turn yellowish with time
- You can apply it on any painted surfaces.
- Easy to apply
Things we don’t like-
- It is susceptible to form bubbles.
- Cannot endure extreme heat
Water-based polyurethane:
Things we love about it-
- Gives the surfaces a clear coat and fresh look
- The applied coats look quite natural.
- Comes with less odor
- Takes less time to finish the total application
- Dries quick!
Things we don’t like-
- As it is water-based, it requires more coats.
- It is a bit expensive for the long-run
Oil-based polyurethane:
Things we love about it-
- It gives the surfaces a nice semi-glossy look.
- You don’t need to apply 3-4 coats
- It is more durable and resistant to scratches.
- A budget-friendly option
Things we don’t like-
- It turns yellowish with time.
- It comes with a pungent smell.
- It takes more time to dry.
Protection
Don’t settle for any less. Countertop topcoat means it’s going to see some severe wear and tear due to regular use. Hence, protection from scratches or harsh weather conditions is crucial if you want some long-term action.
Durability
Most topcoats will not offer scratch protection, water resistance, or stain resistance which can seriously damage the coats in no time. So before you make a choice, don’t forget to check out the specification and protection list.
Finish
Some people want a super glossy finish; some want general gloss and some matte finish. No matter your choice of gloss intensity, make sure the protective top coat for countertops provides a smooth finish. Indeed, it should not make your countertop look cheap.
Besides, some topcoats turn yellowish due to UV rays or over time. If you are concerned about it, water-based polyurethane topcoats should be on top of your list of choices.
User-convenience
If you are doing the whole project all by yourself, water-based options are more suitable for you as they are easy to work with. Besides, as a newbie, topcoat application kits will be of great help to you.
Top Coating Process
Most of the activities of the kitchen or washroom center around the countertop. So, in the matter of refurbishing the painted countertop, you need to be very careful. That’s why I’m here to show you the simple yet effective steps to apply top coats to your countertops.
1. First, you need to do a good cleaning job on your countertop. Clean away the dirt or dust accumulated on it.
2. Next thing you need to do is sand the existing countertop surface. Hand sanding seems like the ideal way here.
3. When dealing with epoxy topcoats, you need to pour them nicely and evenly over the countertop. You can use a brush to dab it a bit to create an exciting texture.
In polyurethane topcoats, you can use a brush or a roller to apply the coats. For me, the roller application works the best as it’s easy to work with.
4. After the required cure time, apply the second, third or more coats as you need.
5. Give enough time to dry before you can use it again. For water-based formula, 2-3 days is enough. For epoxy or oil-based formula, it’s better to give it a week to dry up.
6. And voila! You did it like it was a piece of cake for you.
Tips and Tricks For Application
- Make sure to mix the solutions correctly as instructed. Especially for water-based formulas, if you mess up the mixture, it’ll take more coats and more time to dry.
- For oil-based polyurethane, you need to be very patient about the mixing and mix it well as a consistent solution before the application.
- Give the coats a longer time to dry.
- If you are reapplying topcoats, make sure you don’t apply epoxy over the oil-based coat.
- When reapplying the topcoats, water-based formula is quite the safe option to choose.
How Many Coats Do You Need to Apply?
For epoxy resin: You need to pour down the mixture twice but with steady hands.
For water-based polyurethane: Such topcoats generally need about four coats for a durable finish. It’ll take you almost 4-5 hours to finish the project.
For oil-based polyurethane: It is thicker; that’s why about two coats will be enough for an excellent finish. You’ll need to be patient when working with it because it can take up to 6-7 hours for the project to finish.
Can I Put a Top Coat On Countertop Transformations?
Hands down, Rust Oleum’s Countertops transformation is a fantastic kit to work with when you need to change your countertop looks in the budget. Although the countertops transformation is quite challenging, it’s still not the toughest, considering the hot pans and water spills.
Hence, a lot of us thought can we apply a top coat on countertops transformation? The good news is we can!
Epoxy topcoats: Although the countertops transformation already brings in a coat, an epoxy topcoat would be fantastic for durability. It can also offer further protection and a more superior satin finish to the countertops.
Polyurethane topcoats: You can try an excellent industrial standard polyurethane coating. 2-3 coats would be fine. It makes the surfaces durable, more resistant to scratches, heat, and chipping. Water-based polyurethane should be the ideal choice here.
FAQs
Q: What is the ideal interval before applying the next set of coating on the countertops?
A: It is ideal for applying a new set of the coating after every 4-6 months. However, it depends mostly on how frequently or roughly the countertop is being used.
Q: Can I get rid of the imperfections on the surface before applying the topcoat?
A: Not really; the max you can do is sand the surface a bit. However, you can use the water-based formula so that the imperfections are not exaggerated.
Q: Why should I apply a top coat on the painted countertops?
A: Firstly, it makes sure your expensive countertop paint is safe and protected. Secondly, the topcoat gives your countertops a glossy new look to make them classy.
Final Verdict
It’s not tough to get your hands on the best top coat for painted countertops. All you need is knowledge, understanding of what makes a good topcoat, and of course, a little help that you’ve already gotten by now.
Are you perplexed between polyurethane and epoxy topcoats? Thinking which one will be the best option for you? I hope by now you understand that it all depends on the purpose you are using it for, your preference, the desired countertop look, and of course, your budget. So, make a wise choice and start your DIY topcoat project right away!
Sources:
1. Spruce up laminate countertops with a coat of paint, The day, January 03. 2020