How To Paint Countertops To Look Like Granite With No Stress
Renovating your kitchen may take a lot of work but there are several ways to do it without getting a headache. Redesigning is actually a fun task, especially for DIY homeowners who enjoy creating and building stuff around their house.
In this case, let’s focus on your kitchen fixture. If you’re planning on refurbishing your kitchen countertops but have no idea where to begin, this article is certainly tailored for you.
For existing countertops that are still in good condition, why not just update and improve its look by painting over it? This is a more practical and economical approach compared to replacing your entire countertop with new stone.
Painting your kitchen fixture will save you tons of dollars. It doesn’t require too many materials, there are no labor costs, and you won’t have to exert too much effort to rebuild your kitchen countertop. In fact, you can easily do this on your own hassle-free.
In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to paint countertops to look like granite minus the stress. So, gather your materials and let’s start this project.
Here’s a List of Materials you’ll need for This Project:
- Cleaner
- Rag
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Sanding block
- Latex paint and primer
- Acrylic paints (three different colors)
- Acrylic glaze
- Polyurethane sealer
- Caulk
- Paintbrush
- Sponge
- Masking tape
- Newspapers
- Container or tray
- Paper plate
How-To Guide:
Granite is a beautiful and durable material. This is why it is one of the most popular choices for most homeowners. Having said, this material can be quite expensive.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean you can’t replicate the look of granite in your home. With just a few basic painting materials, you can create your own granite looking countertop and your guests won’t even notice the difference.
Just follow these simple and easy steps:
1. Clean the surface first.
Once you’ve gathered all the tools needed for this kitchen makeover, the first step you need to do is to clean the countertop thoroughly. Use a household cleaner and a clean rag to get rid of all the dust, dirt, oil, grease, and other residues on the surface.
Wipe it off with a damp rag. Your paint should be able to stick well in a clean countertop. Otherwise, your paint may easily chip off if painted on a dirty surface.
2. Sand the countertop.
Use a fine-grit sandpaper and a sanding block to minimize the polish of your countertop. This will allow the paint to adhere to the surface properly.Use a clean and damp rage to eliminate the dust from the sanding.
3. Cover the areas surrounding the countertop.
Put a masking tape over the areas that aren’t part of your makeover. This will prevent your paint from accidentally going over areas that aren’t intended to be painted on.
Cover your cabinets and floor with newspaper. This will help protect these areas from accidental paint drips. You’ll never know when accidents may occur.
4. Start painting on the countertop.
Make sure you pick the right paint colors to replicate granite. After all, there are a lot of different types of granite that you can base your color on.
Your acrylic paints should match the colors of the granite you are copying. Don’t forget to add a metallic shade. Your all-in-one primer should have the dominant color of the granite.
Pour the primer over a container or tray. Use a large paintbrush to paint your countertop. Don’t forget to include the edges.
Apply the primer in long and even strokes until the surface becomes smooth. Then let the paint dry completely. Allow it to sit for at least eight hours.
5. Dab your acrylic paints.
Pour a bit of paint from the different colored acrylics into a container or tray. Use a sponge to dab the paint over the countertop. However, make sure you leave some spots uncovered to show the base color.
Start with the darkest color among your acrylic paints. Dab the sponge on the paper plate to get rid of excess paint. Then apply it over the countertop in small sections.
Repeat the same process using the medium colored paint before moving on to the lightest color. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the colors. You can even blend them together.
6. Use a glaze as an accent.
Pour a small amount of glaze on a paper plate and use a clean sponge to apply it over the granite. Dab the sponge in different areas to copy the accents in a real granite. Let the paint dry for at least four hours.
7. Apply a top sealer.
Use a paintbrush to apply a polyurethane top sealer over the entire countertop including the edges. Allow the paint to dry for at least four hours.
Then apply a second coating. Let the paint dry completely. Allow it to cure for at least 72 hours. Don’t put anything on top of the countertop while it is still curing. Otherwise, you may end up with a damaged paint.
8. Caulk around the countertop.
Fill in the gaps with a caulk, especially the areas between the edges and the wall. Do this 24 hours after the paint has cured. It helps cover any imperfections on your countertops.
Why Use Paint?
As you can see from the instructions mentioned above, painting your countertops instead of rebuilding it, is much more simple, easy, and cost-effective. It generally has the same effect of a real granite but with less effort, money, and stress.
It’s actually a fun task to take on. You can teach and show your teenager how to paint countertops to look like granite. This way, aside from finishing your task and getting an extra pair of hands, you can also create a special bond between you and your child.
Renovating your countertops should be a pleasant, enjoyable, and a good learning experience. As long as you follow these easy instructions, you won’t feel any stress at all.
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