I Did it Myself: Faux Granite Countertops

I have hated our Formica counter tops since the day we moved in. To make matters worse, we accidentally flooded the kitchen 2 years ago, which caused a lovely bulge underneath the Formica next to our sink.

Recently, I had enough. The hubs was out, so I took to the bulge with a kitchen knife, hammer, and nails. Can we say Ghett-o-fied? On top of this tactful approach, I decided it was time to paint the counter tops. If it turned out tacky, so be it. I would replace them with granite after my retirement.

After some quick research, I ran to Wal-Mart and picked up some supplies. Total cost? Less than $100. This included:

• Fine Sandpaper
• Rust-oleum Tintable White Primer (Water Based)
• 1 qt. Black Paint (Water Based)
• 5 Acrylic Paints
• 1 Sea Sponge
• 1 Gallon Polyacrylic
• Face Mask
• 6" Roller

What I already had
• Small Paint Brush (for hard to reach places)• Tarp
• Painters Tape
• Paper Plates

Below are my lovely Formica counter tops.

First, I taped EVERYTHING!

Next, I did a super quick sanding job.

Then I took my tintable white primer and added black until I had a decent grey primer. I rolled on 2 layers of primer, allowing an hour for drying between layers.

Next, I tore my sea sponge into a few pieces. Then I set out my acrylic paints in order of light to dark. I emptied the first paint I planned to use onto a paper plate.

Then for the fun part! Seriously! Applying the paint with the sea sponge was fun, and quick! No rhyme or reason. It was pretty much impossible to mess up. First I applied the light grey, then the metallic grey (gives it a little flare).

Next I applied the brown (I skipped the brick acrylic I picked out - was thankful later).

And finally the black! I did not allow time for drying between paints, which did not pose a problem. After all of the paints were applied, then I let the counters dry for about an hour. Then I applied 4 coats of polyacrylic, allowing 2 hours between each coat. Voila! Here are my new counter tops! Now all I need is a stainless steel sink, track lighting over the bar, and under cabinet lighting ;)