How to Paint a Laminate Countertop to look like real Granite

Do you have an ugly or outdated laminate kitchen or bathroom counter? With just a little effort, and at a fraction of the cost, you can use paint to mimic granite. With my instructions you can make your countertops beautiful AND durable.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A sample or picture of a granite that you would like to imitate
• 1 qt Cabinet Rescue (a special primer for laminate) available at Home Depot and other stores
• 2 foam rollers
• small foam brush
• roller pan
• several bottles of acrylic craft paint in at least 4 colors that you can see in your granite sample ( you can use more if you wish)
• a real sea sponge torn in irregular pieces about 2 inches in diameter
• several small disposable plastic coated paper plates
• A good quality water based high gloss polyurethene

1. Clean counters thoroughly, eliminating any grease, particles or dust.
2. Pour some of the Cabinet Rescue into the roller pan. Roll a smooth even coat onto the counter. Use a small foam brush for hard to reach places. Let dry for at least 2 hours. Recoat in the same manner. Let dry 24 hours.
3. Pour about 2 tablespoons of each color of acrylic paint you have chosen onto a separate small plate.
   Wet sponge pieces with water and squeeze until barely damp. Dip a sponge into a color and gently touch onto counter. Do not press hard. You can probably "pounce " sponge on counter at least 6 times before dipping in paint again. Move from one end of counter to the other, placing designs fairly far apart. As soon as paint is dry (just a minute or so) take a new sponge in another color and do the same thing. Repeat the same process with all your colors, continuing to pounce . There is no real right or wrong to this, the main objective is to completely cover the white primer. If you are not happy with an area, you can pounce on more paint in another color. This is mistake proof! Look at your granite sample often for guidance. Some granites have a metallic in them such as gold, silver or copper, so any of these can be one of your paint colors if you like.
4. After counter is completely covered with granite design to your satisfaction, and thoroughly dry, use the other foam roller to roll on 3 to 4 coats of high gloss polyurethene.
   Let dry 1 hour between coats. Treat counter gently (use a cutting board and don't drag things on it) for about 2 weeks until paint cures, after that it will be very durable. Avoid putting hot pots or pans directly on counter. You can clean it as you would any countertop, just don't use strong chemical cleaners or anything abrasive. Dish detergent and water on a sponge is best.