Granite countertops are very beautiful but this beauty comes with a huge price tag. A lot of people can’t afford granite countertops, so here is how you can paint your existing countertops to make them look like real granite kitchen countertops.
Clean Your Countertops
First of all, you will need to clean your countertops. Clean countertops will give you a more smoother surface to work on and you will make fewer mistakes if the surface is less bumpy.
One thing you need to know about painting your countertops is that it can be done on any type of countertop. Whether you have laminate, Formica, or any other type of countertop, you can easily paint on the surface of these materials to get the look of granite. Back to cleaning, you will need a solution of soap and warm water. Use a soft microfiber cloth and clean the surface of the countertop.
Make sure there isn’t any gunk or dried food on top of the surface. If you happen to have dried food and other remnants on the countertop then you will need to remove them before moving on to the next step.
Use a plastic scraper to scrape off any food from the surface of the countertop. Once the food is removed, glide your hand along the countertop to make sure that there isn’t any bumpy surface on the countertop. Once that is done, you are ready for the next step.
Get The Right Paints
Before you move on to actually painting your countertops, you will need to decide what type of paint you want to use for painting the exact design you need for faux granite countertops. Use oil-based paint as it glides a lot easier over the surface of the countertop. Use neutral colors as they look the most natural. If you need color inspiration, then you can look at granite countertops pictures and see which colors you like and want to recreate. Light colors also blend in easier so even if you make mistakes, they can be easily rectified or coveted.
Primer Is Necessary
Before painting, you need to prep the surface of the countertop for paint. This involves sanding down the countertop. Sanding down is very important as it makes the surface rough and the paint tends to stick to the rough surface better. You will see that paint after sanding will last a lot longer too.
After sanding, clean the countertop with vinegar or alcohol. Afterward, apply a thin layer of primer. Primer is a clear coat of a thick liquid that is applied after you have sanded down the countertop. This will make sure that the paint lasts longer and also the paint glides on easily when there is primer underneath.
Work In Small And Even Layers
Recreating the veining of granite is very easy. All you need is a small paintbrush and perform light strokes resembling the veining on the countertop. If you want thicker veins, then you will need to put some pressure on the brush and then you will get the perfect thick strokes. Just remember to work in thin layers and small increments. This might take some time, but you will get there. It’s better to take your time when painting, rather than to mess up the entire countertop and have to start again.
Seal The Deal
After the paint has been applied, you will need to let it dry for a good chunk of time. Every paint is different, so it’s better to let the paint dry as instructed in the paint instructions. It is usually for about 8 to 12 hours. You can also let the paint dry for a whole day. This will ensure that the strokes that you worked so hard on will not smear when you apply sealant. Applying sealant is a must because it will make the countertop waterproof and it seals the paint too.
Conclusion
There you have it! These steps will make sure that your countertops look like legit granite. Just make sure to go slow and have patience, otherwise, it can be very easy to mess up. If you have a good budget, you can get real granite installed from a granite company Raleigh NC.
