Orland Park, IL on Oct 13, 2012

I painted my ugly formica counters to look like faux granite!

I recently removed wallpaper in my kitchen and painted the walls and really loved the new look. But I was stuck with these ugly hunter green formica countertops with wood trim! UGH. So I decided to try to paint them and they turned out SO great I was shocked. It totally transformed my kitchen for about $100. The tutorial is here...

http://generalsplendour.blogspot.com/2011/02...

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This was the countertops BEFORE.... yup hunter green formica with fancy wood trim. LOL
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And here is the AFTER! I did a lot of research with regards to technique and such. And being a cancer survivor, I wanted to make sure all the products I used were...

29 Comments Displaying 25 of 29 comments | See Previous

Vickie M Linton, ND

Awesome job, it is amazing, can you share your product you used, and technique, since this is the most original I have seen

on Oct 14, 2012 · Like 1
Bfc ReRe B Mc Daniels, KY

wow .. awsome job hun .. may i ask what you used to seal the top thats not toxic ?

on Oct 14, 2012 · Like 1
Tracy W Orland Park, IL

Hello everyone - you can get all the answers at this link which is my detailed tutorial and additional pictures and all of the products I used: the glitter, the top seal, etc. Thanks for stopping by!
http://generalsplendour.blogspot.com/2011/02...

on Oct 14, 2012 · Like 0
Delores M Liberty, TX

Darn you, you have planted another project seed in my brain!!

on Oct 14, 2012 · Like 1
MaryAnn D Ocala, FL

I really like what you have done..

on Oct 14, 2012 · Like 1
Jamala W Whitmire, SC

that looks fantastic, were you nervous before you started it? also i was wondering if you had to purchase more than one kit.. this looks so amazing. ..thank you for showing us

on Oct 14, 2012 · Like 1
Melissa K Blythewood, SC

I love the new look of the countertops, but I am so drawn to the old ones too. I have been asking this website about the painting of granite onto countertops, but was given a hands down. Was this hard to do and how much work was it? Will check on your tutorial info. Thanks so much for this photo!

on Oct 14, 2012 · Like 1
Tracy W Orland Park, IL

Hi Jamala - yes was a little apprehensive about "ruining" my kitchen but I hated the counters so much that I was willing to take the risk. SO glad I did - the difference is indescribeable.

on Oct 14, 2012 · Like 0
Kulsoom Faruqi Chester, VA

Awesome , where did you get the kit from and are you very handy, because I am a little unskilled in this dept.

on Oct 15, 2012 · Like 1
Marg C Middletown, NY

WOW! what a transformation! I love it!

on Oct 15, 2012 · Like 1
Tracy W Orland Park, IL

Kulsoom Faruqi - it was not a kit - I just used random products. It was much cheaper than the kits in the big box stores like Home Depot. You can click on the link above which gives you the tutorial and all the information. Thanks!

on Oct 15, 2012 · Like 0
Gena R Tenafly, NJ

Wow - just wow! That looks amazing!

on Oct 15, 2012 · Like 1
Jeanette freeze Purdy, MO

wow is all i can say for your lucky you were willing to go the extra mile.....:)

on Oct 15, 2012 · Like 1
Marg C Middletown, NY

Tracy W where did you buy the high gloss finish?

on Oct 17, 2012 · Like 1
Tracy W Orland Park, IL

It was just a Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane for Floors. It is at any Home Depot, Lowes, even WalMart. :-) If you are doing a small area - you can get away with a quart - I bought a gallon because I am going to do my living room and dining room eventually.

on Oct 20, 2012 · Like 1
Marg C Middletown, NY

thanks for the info Tracy.

on Oct 21, 2012 · Like 0
Pam Smith

you did a great job your kitchen looks beautiful

on Dec 05, 2012 · Like 0
Tracy W Orland Park, IL

BIG WHOOPS! The Minwax answer above was for my painted hardwood floors - a different post. The high gloss finish for this was Envirotex Lite and you can find it at Hobby Lobby (with the 40% coupon) or any home improvement store. Sorry for the other answer

on Dec 05, 2012 · Like 0
Pam Smith

how did you get the shine to stay up on the backsplash ?

on Dec 15, 2012 · Like 0
Tracy W Orland Park, IL

Hi Pam - that is the hardest part - as you pour you simply take the sponge brush and keep brushing the Envitorex from the coutner surface up the backsplash. Eventually it will stick. You don't need a great amount - just enough to reflect the shine. It will eventually start to get sticky then stop and when it dries it will be super shiny! Just make sure every bit of the backsplash if covered with some of it - it will pool at the corner where the surface meets the backsplash - just keep pushing that back up the wall. Good luck!

on Dec 30, 2012 · Like 1
Bev HB Fort Lauderdale, FL

I painted my countertops...totally love them. My biggest problem after 1 1/2 years is that they are starting to scratch. This Envirotex Lite will hold up better? Just sand and redo with this product? Below are the after and before pictures.
on Dec 30, 2012 · Like 0
Pam Smith

thank you I am going to try it !!!!!

on Jan 04, 2013 · Like 0
C Orange Park, FL

Hi,
Is there a tutorial for this Tracy? Thanks

on Feb 05, 2013 · Like 0
Allen Vaught Kissimmee, FL

You have taken a very good decision Tracy..The green Formica really looks ugly. And this pattern is now become old. Either you paint your kitchen or use a granite countertop. I have painted white cabinets with dark granite. And also I tried to color kitchen wall color contrast to my white cabinets. Good work indeed.

on Feb 06, 2013 · Like 0
Tracy W Orland Park, IL

Hi C - all the details can be found here:
http://generalsplendour.blogspot.com/2011/02... Thanks!

on Feb 06, 2013 · Like 0