Here's What Happened When I Painted My Countertop Faux Marble

I at all times needed to attempt a kind of fake marble DIY kits, particularly after giving my kitchen a (budget-friendly) makeover and including a fake tile backsplash.

So, I bought my fake marble countertop equipment and put aside a two-day window of time to work on it.

On this submit, I’ll share all the pieces you want to paint your individual countertop, suggestions for portray the marble, and a listing of execs and cons for this undertaking. Spoiler alert: I’m so pleased with the outcomes!

However first, let’s speak concerning the earlier than and after actual fast. These are unfiltered, unedited cellphone pics.

After I moved into my dwelling, the island counter was one of many fundamental issues that stood out to me as “not my fashion.” Nonetheless, with a kitchen transform just a few years off, it didn’t make sense to pay for a brand new counter that we wouldn’t even preserve within the remaining design.

After our first Christmas in the home, my thoughts started to wander again to DIY options. Was there something I might do this was cheap, however might additionally maintain as much as our household’s visitors?

This can be a high-traffic counter—our youngsters sit right here to eat a number of instances daily.

Anyway, I lastly caved and purchased this fake marble countertop equipment and it was the PERFECT resolution I used to be on the lookout for. I like the way it seems now—it makes me smile each time we stroll into the room. It’s straightforward to scrub as properly. I’m so completely happy I attempted it!

I promise to be brutally sincere as a result of regardless that I like my outcomes, I do know this isn’t essentially a sensible choice for all properties.

DIY Marble Countertop Suggestions:

Lots of people have requested me if you want to be creative or a great painter to do that. I don’t suppose so. I might say that you want to be affected person and detail-oriented, but it surely’s higher in the event you aren’t a perfectionist.

Since I’m not a perfectionist (and I’m truthfully not that good of a painter both), I had a lot enjoyable simply getting messy and attempting to emulate the look of actual marble from photographs I had saved.

I used to be shocked how FUN this was. In all my DIY years, this was most likely my favourite DIY I’ve EVER finished. I had a lot enjoyable doing it and I used to be shocked by how straightforward it was.

I spent about three hours doing all of the marbling for my counters. By the tip, I used to be beginning to suppose they seemed actually dangerous. Then, I stepped away for an hour and after I got here again I used to be pleased with them once more! So in the event you begin to really feel annoyed, I recommend taking a fast break.

Earlier than beginning my counter, I watched this 18-minute YouTube video. It’s made by the makers of the equipment and it’s very detailed on all of the steps. Watching the total video is important earlier than you start.

It should most likely clear up any questions you might have. We adopted their directions. Along with the equipment, the one provides we would have liked have been a pair of tweezers and painter’s tape.

How Do You Make the Marble Look Actual?

An important tip I’ve for making the marble look actual is to avoid wasting photographs of actual marble you’re keen on and attempt to copy the look as you paint.

That was useful for me to attempt to get a great degree of imperfection. If I wouldn’t have saved wanting on the photographs of actual marble, it might have seemed extra pretend.

One factor I did otherwise from the video is that I discovered it simpler to do the sides as I went alongside. I feel retaining your edges coherent so every vein seems seamless is essential. When you’ve got a backsplash ledge, I might observe this recommendation there as properly.

Suggestions:

If you’re nervous, go for decrease distinction. It’s simpler to get a decrease distinction marble to look actual than a excessive distinction.

Don’t be afraid to mess up—it’s really easy to wipe a bit off and begin over anytime you want to.

In the event you go too darkish you may lighten them later by mixing in a little bit extra white paint.

You don’t have to purchase the equipment to observe and see in the event you take pleasure in (or can do) the fake portray. Simply attempt it out on a bit of white foam board with some paint and brush (watch the video above and attempt to do the approach).

I didn’t suppose to do that upfront, however the concern that I wouldn’t be good on the fake portray was a HUGE impediment for me. So there’s a low threat solution to attempt it out!

Are you able to place sizzling pans on the floor with no pad?

No. This was one of the vital requested questions! I by no means put sizzling pots on any of my counters with out at the very least a potholder, so I used to be shocked. If that’s one thing you love to do, I might not advocate these counters for you.

Is it straightforward to scrub?

Sure. It’s a shiny, shiny end and simple to wipe and clear.

Are you able to begin with any type of counter? Does it have to be granite?

It doesn’t have to be granite. In my view, it’s extra ultimate to do it on a laminate floor as a result of then it’s a 100% improve.

There’s a sound debate as to if doing it over granite is making it much less precious (I might say that it does devalue it some), however within the case of our home since we didn’t just like the granite and have been planning to switch it anyway that wasn’t an element for me.

In line with the Giani web site, you should use this on just about any kind counter—vinyl, wooden and various kinds of actual and pretend stone.

Did the epoxy odor actually sturdy?

No. I used to be pleasantly shocked. The primer coat of paint might be the strongest odor and it’s on par with common wall paint. We had a screened window open the entire two days and there was no noticeable odor in any respect, which was AWESOME. The epoxy didn’t odor.

Would you do that on counter you might be retaining long run?

If you’re protecting over a laminate counter in poor situation, I might say sure! If you’re protecting over granite like I did, I might pause and actually take into account whether or not it’s value it to you. The floor will now not be heat-resistant (like granite is).

In a low visitors area, I feel YES, for positive. However no kitchen is basically low visitors.

Did you make any errors? In that case, how did you repair?

Sure. As I used to be portray, my brush was shedding little hairs and after I picked them off it made scratches (use tweezers as a substitute!). Till the epoxy is on, the painted floor may be very delicate. To repair it, I simply dotted extra paint on it earlier than it was sealed.

The opposite mistake we made was that there have been just a few small holes within the epoxy end across the seams. So on one other day we poured a TINY quantity extra on, simply sufficient to fill in these holes.

We had numerous provides leftover (about half the paint and epoxy). So we’re saving these in case we have to make repairs later.

How does the floor really feel?

Shiny and slick. Think about a counter or desk and a bar or restaurant, numerous instances these tables have an epoxy end. It’s just like that, though not as thick.

Did you truly do that by your self? Can or not it’s a one individual job?

Collin and I tag teamed—he did the bottom coat and the epoxy, I did the fake marbling. All of the steps have been straightforward and both of us might have simply finished the entire undertaking alone!

Did it flip yellow?

The primary purpose I needed to make use of a equipment moderately than supply all of the provides from somebody’s DIY checklist was to keep away from the danger of yellowing. Ours has no yellow colour in any respect.

Is it food-safe?

No. You’re really useful to make use of a reducing board, plates, and so on. It’s additionally not protected to chop on this with no reducing board (you may scratch it up).

Do you must take away the sink or are you able to go round it?

No, you simply tape all the pieces off and go round it.

Did the epoxy drip all over the place?

It dripped a little bit bit (it was all caught within the supplied tarps), however little or no as a result of we adopted the video’s tips. You paint the sides with a brush, so you might be solely pouring it into the middle of the counter.

Does it look higher in photographs or actual life?

There are such a lot of issues that look higher in photographs, however this isn’t one. It seems the identical in individual! 🙂

Professionals and Cons of This Challenge:

Professionals:

It’s inexpensive. For below $200, you may full this counter undertaking.
It takes 2-3 days to finish this undertaking, and it makes an enormous distinction in a room.
It was a lot enjoyable! One in every of my favourite DIYs I’ve ever finished!
It’s straightforward. On the spectrum of counter DIYs (for instance, this concrete countertop), I might say that is very straightforward.

Cons:

Fake portray is horrifying for many individuals.
You can’t set sizzling pots on this floor. Use a trivet as a substitute.
You can’t minimize greens on this floor and you shouldn’t serve meals immediately on it. Use a reducing board, plates, and so on.

Who Ought to Do This Countertop DIY?

Anybody who needs marble counters however finds them inaccessible for finances causes.
Anybody who has vinyl counter tops in poor situation.
Anybody planning to rework in just a few years or on the lookout for a straightforward phase-one makeover to like your area extra within the meantime.