Corian countertops, produced by the DuPont company, are designed to provide a lifetime of low-maintenance surface area. These counters are easily cleaned with most all-purpose cleaning solutions, and they readily repel staining. If the color of your Corian doesn't quite match up with your ideal kitchen or bathroom decor, you can change it with paint, but you must use specific painting products to ensure a good bond.
Corian Composition
A Corian countertop is made of a combination of resins and pigments mixed into an epoxy-like solution that binds them together. In a chemical reaction, the materials bond and then cure in a mold to create the solid shape of your countertop. Because the composition depends heavily on chemical reactions, strong chemicals, especially solvents, can break down the surface, causing permanent damage that requires professional assistance to fix. Therefore, you must avoid using strong chemicals on the surface. This includes paint strippers, so be careful during painting not to make a mistake.
Type of Paint
Thanks to its glossy, smooth finish, normal paint will not bond efficiently with the Corian surface. To paint the area, you must use a thick, adhesive-like paint, such as an epoxy paint. Commonly used on concrete surfaces, epoxy paints bond to the surface more like glue than paint but still provide the needed color change. Most of these paints come in two parts that must be mixed before application to form the strong bond. Read and follow all instructions regarding mixing and application.
Preparation
Even with an epoxy paint, you must properly prepare the Corian surface before you can effectively paint it. Contaminants on the surface, including cooking grease, oil, dirt, dust and crumbs, will change the way the epoxy bonds to the Corian, creating bubbles, streaks and uneven application. Clean the entire surface with an all-purpose cleaner that contains a degreaser; ammonia is an effective Corian maintenance product. Once the surface is clean, sand the entire area with fine-grit sandpaper to slightly roughen the Corian, giving the epoxy a texture to which it can bond easier. Wipe the surface with a tack cloth to remove residual sanding dust before starting.
Application
Once you mix the material, you can apply the epoxy paint like any other product, with brushes or rollers. Again, follow all of your chosen product's instructions and warnings before starting. Some paints contain chemicals that require safety gear such as goggles or a respirator. No matter what, ventilate the room in which you are painting the countertop to let out the fumes from the paint, which can cause trouble breathing or feelings of sickness if you breathe them in too long. Most epoxy paints require two coats; allow one to dry before lightly sanding, removing sanding dust and applying the second.
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