Want to paint my kitchen countertops to look like stone (travertine or limestone) any suggestions?

  52 answers
  • Well I don't know how to do this technique, but I am thinking will your paint technique take all the beating your counter top gets during your time in the kitchen. Just saying it may not be a good decision to paint your counter top. It is a different think if you are talking about your back splash.
  • Patsy Patsy on Feb 27, 2012
    I bought a kit Giani granite paint for countertops and plan on using it this week. I've seen results on a counter at the store where I bought the kit. Here's hoping that I get the dame results! I'll let you know.
  • Terry M Terry M on Feb 27, 2012
    Lowes carries a kit for this...check it out.
  • For a stop-gap measure or if you are planning to sell soon, you can paint them....otherwise, if you are an active kitchen user, the paint kits won't hold up.
  • Ana M Ana M on Feb 27, 2012
    What kind of countertops do you have now? I did this to our countertops in a previous condo we lived in. The counters were formica and doing the paint treatment over formica does not work. Any water the spilled on them 'softened' the paint and made it bubble up. Also any scratches took layers off the paint and the formica showed through. You would do better tiling it with bigger tiles for more durability but painting it is an upkeep hassle if you use your kitchen a lot!
  • Peace Painting Co., Inc. Peace Painting Co., Inc. on Feb 27, 2012
    Just assuming that you know it will not 'wear' like formica/stone, there are products available that will not peel or scratch off, they will just be more prone to scuffing, burning, etc. There are primers available at good paint stores like Sher-Wms that will not peel if applied over a clean surface. There are also industrial type paints and clear coats available at SW that are moisture and chemical resistant. Because of their tough nature, much of the time these are more toxic type products to use, being solvent based. Ordinarily, these are products a pro would use, so estimate you skill level. You would then need to tie in a compatible faux finish and clear coat. I have not seen this exact thing done, but with the right approach, it could be possible. Best, Charles
  • Terry M Terry M on Feb 27, 2012
    I agree with Peace Painting. My friend and I went to SW and got all the supplies to clean, prime, paint, faux sponge and seal her countertops. It looked beautiful when done and she is a very active cook since she is a preachers wife and it has held up wonderfully for almost two years now! This is just a way to make ugly countertops look good until you can afford either a new kitchen or new countertops.
  • Susan S Susan S on Feb 27, 2012
    Rust-o-leum also has a kit which is all inclusive as I remember. I thoroughly researched this awhile back - think they have their own web-site and they give you precise instructions. The only down side was I think they caution you to go easy for the first 7 days or so til it cured. I sort of recall them saying wait about that long before putting all your "stuff" back on counter tops. THAT would be a problem for me but I guess if you did it in sections you could survive. Anyway, you might check out this resourse too.
  • Rust-o-leum has a "granite" countertop kit that we've used a couple of times now but I can't tell you how it will hold up. The kits are around $200 if I remember correctly.
  • Gay C Gay C on Feb 28, 2012
    I did this with kitchen counter tops using regular Behr paint. Did it 4 years ago and it's holding up great. I am very pleased with the results.
  • Norma H Norma H on Feb 28, 2012
    I personally would not do it unless I could have new tops put on if it is not satisfactory.Old may be the better one to live with lol......
  • Kathy Kathy on Feb 28, 2012
    They have kits for this now,a total wow! We just picked one up from Home Depot for my sister's kitchen.It's the new project coming up.Excited to try it! will let you know....
  • Jan O Jan O on Feb 28, 2012
    I saw the kit at Home Depot. Must give it a try this spring on my 30 yr formica counter top. Must first run the figures and see if kit price vs new update top warrants the work
  • Suzi B Suzi B on Feb 28, 2012
    My sister did the counter tops on her bar and it is beautiful she got her kit at Lowes and she used the Rust-o-leum and they also have plenty of colors to choose from.
  • Theresa S Theresa S on Feb 28, 2012
    I just cant imagine paint holding up on countertops. Would love to know if anyone painted their countertops & how it is holding up.
  • Therese C Therese C on Feb 28, 2012
    Rust-o-leum has a kit for this at Lowe's and Home Depot. Just make sure to really read everything closely to make sure it is what you want and that ALL products used are food safe! They make a food safe sealer that will protect your design and last for years, but again..read it all very closely. Some products contain ingredients that are 'partially' food safe, but when mixed with other products they become non-food safe. Good luck and I hope you find what you are looking for.
  • Aubrey L Aubrey L on Feb 28, 2012
    WHY?
  • Martina D Martina D on Feb 28, 2012
    It would be a great alternative if it looked and endured like the real thing. I'm curious post pictures.
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Feb 28, 2012
    This is just a "band-aid" fix at best....new laminate are only a few hundred bucks for the average sized kitchen. Large granite tiles are one of my more common installs Here an average kitchen's worth is 800 to a grand in material....way cheaper than slab.
  • Aj L Aj L on Feb 28, 2012
    Giani Granite paint Kit is great and if you take your time and allow proper drying time inbetween coats and a light sand inbetween coats your counterw will be awesome
  • Ann T Ann T on Feb 28, 2012
    Wow. You are brave. I did the same thing to a countertop in my laundry room a few years (and house) back. It turned out BEAUTIFUL....but started to peel off. In fact I could grab a small piece and it would ALL peel off. So I did it ALL OVER again...this time using Kiltz as my first coat. I made it look like marble, and then gave it 4 coats of polyurethane. I came out fine the next time. It will still scratch some, and will NOT hold up good in a kitchen to the kinds of wear and tear you have there. I'm with several of the above!!! DO NOT DO IT!!!! You will be sorry. Sorry for the bad news...but the honesty will save you later!
  • Robin L Robin L on Feb 28, 2012
    The Gianni kit is the best!!! It looks incredible....Everyone thinks I had new countertops installed....
  • Liz R Liz R on Feb 28, 2012
    I wouldn't try it...and I'm in the business and have tried a bunch of "do it yourself" type of projects. But to paint a counter top to look like granite or limestone, I would be worried about the wear and tear and eventually the re-sale value. With all of the great looking Formica granite look a likes...I would opt for that if you couldn't afford real stone.
  • Laurie L Laurie L on Feb 28, 2012
    Gianni is definitely the best, I love how mine turned out. Did two years ago, and haven't had any problems with it. Lots of compliments.
  • Lisa E Lisa E on Feb 28, 2012
    I used the Rustoleum kit from Lowe's ($250) and it looks great. But, beware..it is very messy. I put the plastic on the cabinets and floor(hardwood) , but it is still very messy. It looks so much better though.
  • Laurie L Laurie L on Feb 28, 2012
    This is the after
  • Debbie L Debbie L on Feb 28, 2012
    I did this over plain old formica many years ago and the counters are fine. First sand them, then paint a grey tinted Zinzers 123 then stipple, rag and make it look rock like- look at pictures of faux stones. I then made Rock-tite, colored it and globbed it onto the edges of the counters to look like the rough cut granite. Once those were dry then the Grand Pour. Two part epoxy mixed and poured over it all. This stuff is/was called Bar top. Got it from Tap Plastic. It's the same stuff you make bug infused paperweights, or over pictures. It is self leveling and you use a torch over the to pop bubbles, or your breath if you can get close and not drag your hair or arms into it *grins*. For the price of $80 I have great (with a few learning flaws) counter top. Can't sit hot pots on it and it will scratch, but even after 9 years its still looking really nice! I am a professional painter, so I kinda make it sound easy to do..LOL..but I couldn't afford the over $5000 for real granite. Oh and this was way before Kits were available. About 9 years ago.
  • Marilyn H Marilyn H on Feb 28, 2012
    I have painted my kitchen countertops twice! It has held up very well considering the amount of cooking I do. The countertop I painted over was old 1965 stuff. The first time I painted I wanted to mimic my kitchen flooring and used two colors of white paint --rolled one color and then sponged the darker more grayish white. I used a satin polyurethane to seal it and did two or three coats. Then I wanted a totally different look and painted right over the top of that a purple color and used a gloss poly. I worked very hard getting a nice glossy bubble/stroke free coverage on that would not suggest the gloss poly as the sealing top coat. I am contemplating doing it again--I may look into the fake granite kits but when I did it regular satin latex paint was all I used. For me paint is much cheaper than new countertops and when I do get to have new I want new sink installed too that is why I chose the painting. May as well save as much money now and have more dollars to work with when I can finally have the remodel I truly want! Good luck!
  • Ok, I learnt something today from all you Pros out there!
  • Ana M Ana M on Feb 28, 2012
    Let us know if you do it, and post pictures, seems like since I did mine everyone is talking about new products out there that might work! Laurie L. Yours looks great!
  • Sarah B Sarah B on Feb 28, 2012
    I've used Giani Granite to create the look of Granite. I used the Chocolate Brown color kit and got both of these looks w/the same kit!!
  • Laura W Laura W on Feb 28, 2012
    I painted mine a solid color using ProClassic paint by SW. It is a latex paint formulated to dry hard as an enamel (made for doors and trim.) I started with a bonding primer first, then the paint. I rolled it on so I didn't have brush stroles. This was a temporary fix at the time, but they have held up great! They definitely could use refreshing now as they are starting to show some wear and tear where the dishes sit next to the sink all the time. BUT this was 10 years ago. I can't complain for buying that much time with only the cost of paint!
  • Laurie L Laurie L on Feb 28, 2012
    Thanks..appreciate it. I hated my counter tops before I found Gianni.
  • A1-Painting&Cleaning A1-Painting&Cleaning on Feb 28, 2012
    I am a painter and I have done many.. Mine as well. Prime the counter after you clean it..2 coats of the main color.. the technique will be practiced on card board until you see what you like. I use mixing glaze in my 2nd color and I roll it on and then I take large plastic and lay it over the painted area. lightly smooth the plastic down. It will have wrinkles in it and you want that. then lightly pull the plastic off and see the magic. Picasso is what I call it. Then 4-5 coats of poly coat to shine like new. Still wool in between each coat.after it dries.. I love doing them.. no 2 are alike. I don't use the spray cans or the paint that has texture in it,because if I don't like it I will have a problem.. Yet if I just use paint I can always paint it over.All paint and primer and poly coat are latex.. Hope this gives you some help. Have Fun.. I always do...
  • Teri Uliasz Boyungs Teri Uliasz Boyungs on Feb 28, 2012
    Thanks for all of the info. I have had all of the supplies for awhile now, I guess I am just scared to go for it.
  • Pensacola Accents Pensacola Accents on Feb 28, 2012
    A-1 Painting has the best info. I do exactly the same technique for counter tops without using a kit. The most important thing is to let the top coats dry THOROUGHLY in between coats! It may mean eating out more than you planned, but that's not a bad thing!
  • Peace Painting Co., Inc. Peace Painting Co., Inc. on Feb 28, 2012
    Go for it Terry. We'll be here to answer all questions. You can do this.
  • Aubrey L Aubrey L on Feb 29, 2012
    PLEASE READ ANN T's REPLY ABOVE BEFORE YOU MAKE A MESS THAT YOU WILL REGRET.
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Feb 29, 2012
    I wonder why many chose to paint...when real granite in tile form is so affordable http://www.lazygranite.com/ I've been using this type of product for years...quick and easy
  • Bruce B Bruce B on Mar 01, 2012
    I used the Rustoleum product. All I can say is follow the directions and if you can avoid using the wetting agent, do so. It kills the base coat. The only area that covered good was the area where I did not use it.
  • Peace Painting Co., Inc. Peace Painting Co., Inc. on Mar 01, 2012
    KMS, interesting website. I think people are choosing paint because they are more comfortable working with paint then tile. CP
  • I just came across this thread and one thing comes to mind; you only get as much as you are willing to pay. Painted counter tops??? Seriously?? I can believe that it looks nice for a few months but it's nearly impossible for a painted surface, especially a kitchen counter, to hold up for very long. Just an honest opinion.
  • Jennifer J Jennifer J on Mar 02, 2012
    I did a slim piece of counter top in my kitchen and it chipped where I use it the most. I got a granite look counter top at Lowe's for a great price. They cut it down for me at no extra charge. There was a end piece that ironed on the sides. It is wearing well.
  • Aubrey L Aubrey L on Mar 02, 2012
    I agree with the person above.....PAINTED COUNTER TOPS??? SERIOUSLY?? Only if you don't plan to use them, but just want to look at them. People do what they want, but hind site IS 20/20.
  • A1-Painting&Cleaning A1-Painting&Cleaning on Mar 02, 2012
    My counters have been painted twice ,changed color of kitchen and to have counters that really match gives that real custom look. Mine have lasted for over 12yrs. I use it like I would any other counter. I don't cut on it,yet I wouldn't cut on nothing but butcher.I do put a coat of clear coat on once a year or 2. I find that everyone can't afford the granite.$30.00 for gal. or hundreds or more for granite . I wish I could have granite , but I can have the look with paint. I don't advise everyone to use it just those that can't afford new and they are redoing their kitchen in green and the old counter top is mustard yellow(60's) and they can't afford to get new counters. After I am done All Love It and have no problems with them.Plus it matches the kitchen perfect .I have even done bathroom sinks too. I love to paint anything ,if it will hold paint. I tell my costumers (if you cut me I bleed paint. :) 35+ years doing this so I am sure of what I am talking about and doing.Even if hind site is 20/20 ...lol I love a painted counter,people don't believe it is painted.
  • Laura W Laura W on Mar 02, 2012
    Here's my 2 cents. I wanted to paint my countertops too. Looked into it, watched tutorials, researched it. Went to a home show. There I found a company that sprays countertops and bathtubs and showers. Yes, it was a lot more than DIY . They said they have a lot of people tryin to DIY and they have to come in and 'fix' the job. It looks a lot harder than it looks. Its a 2 day process. I went ahead and had my countertops professionaly done. I was sooooo THRILLED with the results!! It was only $500 to do my whole kitchen (its a pretty big kitchen too). Check around your area and see if there's a co. that will do it for you. Money well worth spent! b.t.w. granite would of been $2300!! My kitchen counters look like granite and very pleased.
  • Laura W Laura W on Mar 02, 2012
    Oh yah, the co. I hired, they have a 5 yr. guarantee.
  • a five year guarantee??? Against what?? What's the fine print?? I guess a five-year is better than a Lifetime guarantee....or is it?? A guarantee is good ONLY if the company standing behind it will service the guarantee.
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Mar 03, 2012
    This pretty good sized kitchen's granite tile was only $600. add a bit more for labor and this remodel will last a long long time. For the complete kitchen pic look at pic #27 in this project set. http://www.hometalk.com/Kevin/project/2473
  • Debbie L Debbie L on May 03, 2012
    Naturally if you was doing it yourself you need a water cutter the knowhow and how to set the sink and the plumbing..all the little things that alot of homeowners don't know how. Paint..well if it is bad..you just paint over untill you like it. Tile? eeeehhh..can get pricy in the learning curve.
  • Taylor P Taylor P on Aug 02, 2012
    I've been thinking about replacing my counter tops. I just don't like the old icky look on our current counter tops. They feel so old and really, they are. We've lived in this house for a good seven years, and the house was at least ten years old when we bought it. Are granite countertops il the way to go then? They seem very popular right now. Are they worth the price that they have on them?