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Faux Counter Tops

5K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  firsttimeremode 
#1 ·
Has any one tried to use the "Granite CounterTop" Paint kits? They look very easy and are supposed to make formica, corin or laminate look like Granite. It looks so easy, I am thinking of trying it, but I am afraid if I mess it up, I will be stuck with a big expence replacing my countertops.:whistling2:
 
#2 ·
I have not, but I'm about to try my hand at it. I'm not even buying the kit. I'm following some videos and websites and priming and painting mine with the granite "stone" spray paint, followed with a billion coats of polyacryllic. But then, my counters are 1970's faux yellow granite. They can't actually be any uglier. :) You might want to try a bathroom first? If you hate it, you can not use it on the kitchen, although the price is a bit high for some of them if you just want to experiment.
 
#3 · (Edited)
I used the rustoleum stone spray and then put rustoleum premium clear coat epoxy garage coating and it worked great! A lot of people are negative on painting counters I am not because it came out good for me. After epoxy cures I put oil based polyurethane for floors as final coat. I learned a trick after the fact, spray the stone spray then sprinkle mica flakes the LIGHTLY spray little more of stone spray the mica adds little more sparkle and realistic granite look I am in process of redoing my top coat to incorporate mica chips. You can get them at Joann's crafts they are mica flakes by stampendous I have also seen them on eBay but only opalescent color Joann's had a variety pack of colors. This is pic before mica chips. I'll be glad to show you a pic with flakes when done. I live in Louisiana and you can not apply epoxy with high humidity. We've had rain and humidity quite a bit. Seems like on days it's perfect to apply epoxy I can't do it but plan on finishing next time weather cooperates. I don't think you can put enough poly to get a smooth enough finish for a counter that is workable. The bumpiness almost impossible to clean and the epoxy makes smooth as glass finish. Have found it to be no more delicate than Formica as far as scratches. Just plan on not touching counters for bout a week while epoxy cures completely I needed a second coat of epoxy because my counters were not level and few places needed more epoxy this is why I am incorporating mica flakes had I not had to do second coat I wouldn't have bothered but I do think mica flakes will make a difference.i have them down just waiting to do epoxy now. Good luck and have fun doing it. I enjoy these types of projects maybe just the artsy side of me but I enjoyed it. Ps I did sprinkle a fine copper glitter to create shimmer
 

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#4 · (Edited)
People seem to be having reasonably good luck with these products. My concern remains how such a thin film layer is going to hold up long term. They have not been around long enough to know yet. I should think you would have to be extra careful with these surfaces so as not to chip them off into your salad bowl, mashed potatoes or whatever. Bacteria getting in them when they crack or develop micro fissures you cannot see would concern me also.

That said, esthetically they do seem worth a try if you need to buy some time saving up for a kitchen renovation and new countertops and cabinets. I guess they could help if you are selling a property and need to spruce up the kitchen.

With any kitchen finishing projects be especially careful with the prep or you will have adhesion problems you cannot fix from the surface down.

And with any resins and epoxies always make sure the products are within their expiration dates or you could end up with a non-curing mess.
 
#6 ·
Just wanted to reply again and say, I did decide to use the Giani paint kit and it looks really good. We finished it at the end of August and I'm very happy with it. It seemed much easier than the Rustoleum and got better reviews on Amazon.

You can see my before and after shots here: (Just take out the extra spaces. Most forums don't let you post direct links to other forums so I didn't want to get it removed altogether.)

www. doityourself . com / forum/ designing - kitchens - bathrooms / 477806-updating-40-year-old-cabinets . html
 
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