Hi @Deb63,
A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.
Yes, you can absolutely lighten your kitchen benchtop or blend in a lighter colour. Since you’ve already painted it black, transitioning to a lighter shade will require some preparation. The key is to ensure proper adhesion and coverage, so the new colour applies smoothly over the dark base.
If you want to completely change to a lighter colour, you’ll need to lightly sand the surface with 320-grit sandpaper to remove the gloss. After sanding, clean the benchtop with sugar soap and let it dry fully. Applying a coat of primer will help the new paint adhere properly. Since lighter colours struggle to cover dark ones, you may need multiple thin coats of paint to achieve an even finish.
Regarding the air bubbles, if you found the microfibre roller caused bubbling, using high-density foam roller covers like these UNi-PRO 100mm 9mm Nap Little Ripper High Density Foam Roller Cover will help achieve a smoother application. Rolling slowly and with light pressure can also minimise bubbles.
Unfortunately, I am not aware of a low VOC alternative that can be used to paint laminate benchtops. Your best bet is to paint on a warm, dry day, open as many windows as possible and increase airflow to speed up the off-gassing process.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Jacob
