A friend of mine said you had to scrub your counters before you can paint them? What do you scrub them with?
1685634
The only scrubing you have to do is with soap and water with a SOS. Unless your counter tops are overly oily.
1685635
I just thoroughly cleaned them with my usual household all purpose cleaner then rinsed off the counter two or three times to make sure I got any and all residue off, then let it thoroughly dry. I don't believe I ever used anything abrasive or sanded first. I am not having any chipping problems. I just followed the directions in the kit. I had mauve/rose colored formica counters that were really "fugly"! Looks a lot better now and I'd never done anything like this before! They came out great and they're hold up great. I'm careful not to cut anything on them or put anything hot on them and I wipe up with my dish cloth when I'm done doing dishes or just plain water. I just thoroughly cleaned them with my usual household all purpose cleaner then rinsed off the counter two or three times to make sure I got any and all residue off, then let it thoroughly dry. I don't believe I ever used anything abrasive or sanded first. I am not having any chipping problems. I just followed the directions in the kit. I had mauve/rose colored formica counters that were really "fugly"! Looks a lot better now and I'd never done anything like this before! They came out great and they're hold up great. I'm careful not to cut anything on them or put anything hot on... » Read More I just thoroughly cleaned them with my usual household all purpose cleaner then rinsed off the counter two or three times to make sure I got any and all residue off, then let it thoroughly dry. I don't believe I ever used anything abrasive or sanded first. I am not having any chipping problems. I just followed the directions in the kit. I had mauve/rose colored formica counters that were really "fugly"! Looks a lot better now and I'd never done anything like this before! They came out great and they're hold up great. I'm careful not to cut anything on them or put anything hot on them and I wipe up with my dish cloth when I'm done doing dishes or just plain water. « Show Less
1685636
I not only scrubbed I sanded but 6 months later and they're still holding up strong. Even around the sink where it gets damp a lot.
1685637
I believe it was comet, it's just to get any oily residue off so it will stick, nothing major
1685638
I wish we had lightly sanded our countertops before applying Giani Granite paint, because it's starting to chip a bit on the edges. I didn't realize we had cheap plastic countertops--not even Formica, so it would have adhered better if we had sanded. That being said, I'm still very glad we did this. We love the way it looks and we have enough paint left over to do the touch-ups that are needed.
1685639
I used a regular household cleaner that I had. Formula 409 or something like that. Definitely something that will remove residual grease or residue.
1104323
I used straight dish washing detergent and a non scratch scouring pad! I have also heard rubbing alcohol will work although I have not tried it. Good luck! I love love these pans!
2096351
I use spray way glass cleaner.spray it on then wipe it off with one of the towels.these towels are also great for cleaning mirrors , faucets, sinks , toilets and anything else you want clean and shiny.
196311
Have used googone on my kitchen cabinet, the one near the stove. It tends to get the grease residue. It worked really we' but it is a painted. I don't know about other finishes.
1077420
No clear coating required on cabinet paint. Kit includes all you need except the roller tray. Paint, rollers and handle, sandpaper (if needed). The counter top paint if you are interested in it also, that kit comes with the protective top coating included. Both kits came with all needed items except the paint / roller tray. I had plenty of paint left over from both kits. Hope this helps.
1619648
to respond to the comment about sticking. With any non stick surface use only plastic scrubbers and non-abrasive cleaners like Bartenders Friend or Bon Ami. The non-stick can last for years
352570
To get sponges even cleaner, I use a regular kitchen sponge and lightly scrub the surface under a running faucet. Marker ink comes right off!
241727
Well you don't have to polish them at all...but......they are showing signs of rust or something on them that can't come off...I am very disappointed with them I thought they would last forever...it is little marks on them that are very small but are permanent..I plan to get ceramic next time..I love the copper look but it doesn't work ..my last copper pans rusted on the bottom and that was worse...big rings every week on the counter...
129897
I just use a dry stiff bristled paint brush. Gets into all the hard to clean spots.
202904
I think paint it first. I painted mine and the texture is just more durable , better suited to wiping a stain on then off.
1983311
If it's dry I used a paint scrapper for excess, small amounts in the brick I was not able to remove. It its still wet or tacky I used a warm rag with dish soap.
761568
I agree with everything JenO stated. This product may activate the paint and smear it like thinner. I would only use it on raw wood. By far the best finish for counter tops.
1862703
I usually try not to use nail polish with the brushes because it'll stiffen but when I do, I use a little bit of pure acetone or regular nail polish remover (I recommend using regular nail polish remover instead of pure acetone because it's too strong for the brushes). I dip the brush into a little bowl that I use a lot and wipe it on a paper towel until it doesn't have any color showing. Then I let it air dry and at the same time I rub the brush bristles so that it won't be hard for the next time that I use it. Do not soak them again! Lol.
162216
I used a sponge brush. That way you won't see any brush strokes. Unless you're painting a wall or large surface, pick a size that will go with the item you're painting. Coffee mugs, glasses or picture frames would take a smaller sponge brush. And definitely use the painter's tape so that you don't get the paint where you don't want it. It'll save a lot of time of work later trying to scrape it off. The coffee mugs I did for Valentine's Day are still holding up just great. You're only limited as to what your imagination comes up with. Hope you have fun with it!
1607537
best to leave the copper countertop, bare. just polish it occasionally with "Brasso" (copper and brass polish). I doubt any coating is gonna be good for a countertop. Unless the countertop is not going to be used or have any items sliding on it. If it's not going to be used at all, this clear paint for brass will work fine. I used it on a solid brass door handle set of our Pella brand, storm door. After polishing the door set, I coated with 3 light coats. exposed to all weather, after 2 years, it still looks good. No tarnish or oxidation under the clear coat.
1047049
I use barkeeper's friend on all the stainless steel in my kitchen. It's the only thing I've found so far that makes things look like new and doesn't leave streaks. It's great for sinks and pans, but kind of a pain to use on stoves, fridges, dishwashers since it's a powder that you have to wet, then rub all over, then rinse off. I just get it at the grocery store. It comes in a tube container like comet.
1417181
For my SS pans, I shake some baking soda onto the wet pan bottom. Put some soap on the wet dishcloth. Rub it out. Easy. Great technique for cleaning scum off outside of pans, glass casserole dishes, stainless sinks , plastic dishpans, and much more. Keep a shaker of baking soda near the sink!