Painted Counter Tops

Well, here it is May of 2015 and I am just now...finally...getting this post published!

This is an old DIY project from way back in 2009...or was it 2010?

 Let me check my Facebook page...it was actually 2010...so back in 2010,

I got to where I just couldn't stand these ugly butcher block-ish laminate counter tops.

Not. One. More. Day.

The bathrooms were just as ugly with a boring white laminate.

Here is the main bath in the hallway.

I had heard of products that you could use to paint counter tops but was always skeptical. After checking out our local Lowe's I saw they had a few products but was not impressed...with the price or the sample of the end results they supplied. So I started checking the internet and that's where I found GianiGranite. (And just so you know, I am doing this post totally on my own...Giani did not pay me anything or ask me to advertise for them. They have no idea who Debby Ray is as far as I know!)

 I can't tell you how many testimonials I read on several different websites that were so favorable along with photos of the finished product.  I decided this would be the product for me and I ordered 2 sets...one in Bombay Black and one in Chocolate Brown. If you click on the link to the website, you will see that there is a wide array of colors to choose from.

The price was also right...each kit was $49.95 and I needed two. New counter tops for a hundred bucks? You bet! I will say that due to the popularity of this product, the price has gone up a bit. I just checked on Amazon and the price for a kit is now around $70. I ordered this from the Giani website five years ago, quite possibly when they were first marketing this product. Oh well...it's still a reasonable price to pay for new counter tops!

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Preparation is key!

I purchased a heavy duty cleaner and scrubbed the heck out of those old ugly counter tops.

Masking everything off is always the most time consuming step, but oh so necessary.

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The kits contain elements for 3 basic steps:

1. Roll on the black primer coat with the little roller that is provided. You will need to let this dry several hours, preferably overnight. One coat does the job.

2. Next you decide on the look you want to achieve. Each kit contains 3 colors of mineral paints that you sponge on, sponge included. The three colors included were silver, copper and white. A black piece of poster board is also included in each kit for you to experiment on first! Once you decide on the look you want, let the fun begin. The lighter color is generally sponged on first, then adding the other two to enhance it. You are the artist here. Work on about a 24" area at a time, blending each area as you go so as not to see lines of demarcation anywhere. Most of us have probably done a sponge painting technique on something or other so just have fun with your design.

3. The last step is applying the shiny acrylic finish. This is also applied with the roller that is provided and a smaller brush to get into the corners and detailed areas. It has been so long that I don't remember if it is just one coat or two (very good directions and a DVD are included) but I do know that you do not want to use too much or it will dry with a milky appearance...especially on the very dark colored kits.

I also did the hall bathroom's vanity using the Chocolate Brown kit.

 I was very impressed with these color combinations...

...the three colors of the mineral paints included were gold, copper and dark bown.

 The base of all both of these kits were the flat back, pictured above.

As you can see, it has a brilliant shine! It's probably a good thing that I postponed publishing this to be able to tell you how it has held up. It has now been five years and let me just say, I have been amazed! Now, the kitchen counter gets more wear and tear of course and you will not want to set hot pans or dishes directly on it...nor will you want to leave standing water or moisture it on it for long. It will create a temporary milky spot but nothing more than wiping it dry is needed and it will disappear in a matter of a minute or two.

Here are photos showing more detail of the granite look on both countops.

I do apologize for the qualityof the photo...as you can see, it was dark outside...

...but notice the shine still?

Five years later, it's still there!

Below is the counter top after I gave the back splash a faux "punched tin" makeover,

also an older project from a couple of years ago.

You can read about it here.

I am just so glad to finally get this post published!

 

My next project will be HUGE and I keep putting it off!

Giani now makes a cabinet paint that I have researched and finally purchased.

The kit has been sitting in the closet for a few months now as I work up my nerve.

The paint is a soft white...

...and with the new hard woods floors I will be gettiing soon, it should look really good!

I have a four-day weekend coming soon on Memorial Day weekend.

The hubby will be working the whole time...

...hmmm...

...will I be able to fianlly get my nerve up??

If I do and it turns out good, you'll certainly know about it, won't you?

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