Kitchen countertop before applying faux granite paint finish.
Plastic laminate kitchen countertop before applying faux granite paint.

Faux granite countertop painting kits, such as those from Giani, can give worn or dated plastic laminate kitchen countertops the look of real stone.

Granite countertop painting kits include everything you need to transform your countertops, including: primer, liquid minerals, clear topcoat, foam brush, roller, sponge, and instructions.

Countertop after finishing with faux granite paint.
Same countertop after finishing with faux granite paint.

To apply granite countertop paint:

  1. Clean: Thoroughly clean countertops using scouring pad to remove any grease or grime.
  2. Rinse: Use water and a clean cloth to rinse countertops twice to remove any cleaner residue.
  3. Caulk: Remove any silicone caulking that isn’t paintable, and replace with paintable caulk if needed.
  4. Patch: Fill any nicks or holes with wood patch or auto body filler and sand smooth with countertop.
  5. Mask: Apply painter’s tape around edges of countertops to protect walls and cabinets.
  6. Prime: Apply primer to countertops using brush and roller and allow to dry.
  7. Apply Minerals: Use sponge to dab different colored liquid minerals to countertop in a random pattern and allow to dry.
  8. Add Accents: Use an artist’s brush to add faux veins and other features to the countertops. Dab accents with sponge to soften the lines.
  9. Sand: Lightly sand surface with fine sandpaper and remove any dust.
  10. Topcoat: Use brush and roller to apply two coats of clear finish, sanding lightly between coats with fine sandpaper.
  11. Drying Time: Allow countertops to dry for one to three days or more before using.

Watch the video above to find out more.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

The first step to painting countertops is thoroughly cleaning them, so that the paint can adhere properly. Using a scouring pad is a good idea to ensure that the surface is perfectly clean. Next, mask off anything you don’t want painted with painter’s tape before you begin applying the bonding primer.

For faux granite painting kits, the primer is usually black, and the best application tools are a simple foam brush and a narrow foam roller. Depending on the manufacturer’s instructions, the primer will need to dry for several hours before you continue.

At that point you can begin applying the various colors that will create the illusion of granite. These are applied with a natural sponge in a random pattern over the countertop surface. Most kits will direct you to apply them in a specific order to achieve a specific look. The key is to keep it random. You can aid this by occasionally rotating the sponge as you apply the paint.

As the counter starts taking shape, you may want to add diagonal lines of the darker colors to create the illusion of veins that are in natural granite; or even use a little of the black primer on an artist brush to create smaller veins. Finally, soften any hard lines with the sponge before leaving it to dry.

Once dry you can apply the first coat of sealer. Do this carefully so you don’t leave any lap lines with the roller. The sealer has a glossy finish so lap lines and bubbles will be very obvious once it’s dry. The last step is a second coat of sealer, and then you have a beautiful countertop.


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Danny Lipford

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Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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