How to Paint Laminate to Look Like Granite

Granite and other natural stone surfaces add elegance to kitchen designs. While the real thing can be quite expensive, a faux finish can give your old laminate countertops a similar look. Natural sea sponges produce a mottled, speckled paint application that resembles genuine granite. The biggest challenge just may be choosing from the nearly endless array of granite colors to replicate. Brown granite complements wood and other warm tones. Gray granite matches well with stainless steel and other modern metal surfaces.

Rag
Degreasing detergent
Medium grit aluminum oxide sandpaper
Tack cloth
Low-tack painter's tape
Oil-based primer
Paint pan
Roller handle
2 roller sleeves with fine nap
2-inch flat brush with natural bristles
Mineral spirits
Gray or tan oil-based paint
Oil-based glazing medium
Small containers
Tints in black, white, raw sienna, burnt umber and raw umber
Natural sea sponge
Plastic bags
Clear floor urethane

Instructions

- 1
  Scrub your laminate surface with a degreasing detergent. Wipe it clean with a damp rag. Dry the surface with a clean rag.
- 2
  Sand the laminate with medium grit sandpaper until it feels rough. You can use a hand sander for big jobs. Run a tack cloth over the surface to eliminate dust and sanding debris.
- 3
  Apply a strip of tape along any surface you wish to protect. Firmly press the tape to make sure that paint will not seep underneath.
- 4
  Apply oil-based primer with a roller. Brush primer on along the edges of the laminate surface. Clean your brush with mineral spirits.
- 5
  Apply a base coat. Refer to a granite sample or photograph to select the desired shade. Allow the base coat to dry overnight.
- 6
  Mix several shades of glaze. Pour equal amounts of your base coat paint and glazing medium into small containers. Add a few drops of various tints to create a range of different grays and browns.
- 7
  Apply the glazes with a natural sea sponge. Place a range of colors on top of each other. Soften the glaze by pressing against the surface with crumpled plastic bags.
- 8
  Apply as many layers as necessary to achieve the desired mottled, granite-like surface. Let the glaze dry for several days.
- 9
  Seal your faux granite surface by applying three or four coats of clear floor urethane. Follow the manufacturer's suggestion for drying times between each coat.

How to Paint Columns on Walls

How to Apply Texture to Damaged Walls

Faux Finishing