How to Turn Your Tile Counter Top in to Faux Sandstone Without Removal
Oh how I hated this counter top! The previous owner had tiled it in white (and did a "not so great" job of tiling) and used GREEN grout! Why green you ask? I have NO clue! But none the less, it had to go! As did those icky green tiles in the back splash. But I didn't want to replace the tile so I opted for a DIY make over instead!
I first super cleaned the entire area, and applied painters tape around the sink and on the wall.
Next came the application of Aqua Stone to the counter top. This is a product sold by Faux Effects (you can get it on line) that is a thick paste-like material. With a gloved hand, I smeared the Aqua Stone over the entire surface including the back splash.
Just prior to the product reaching the "dry" stage, I took a 4" wide plastic scraper and smoothed all bumps and ridges to become more "flat". This technique is commonly called a "knock down" texture. Though the outward surface becomes more smooth, indentations are left to create "texture". I didn't want to have a completely smooth surface since I wanted it to appear like real sandstone.
The next step was to begin adding color. I first painted the entire counter top with light cream colored acrylic paint. Once dry, I blotted light brown acrylic paint with a brush, here and there over the surface.
Using an old terry towel, I then blotted the paint to blend it.
Once the first color was dry, I dabbed a different tone of light brown paint.
Again, it was blotted to blend. When blotting, don't try to be perfect. You want to see bits of all three colors.
Three coats of clear, non-yellowing polyurethane were applied to seal the new finish. It is not recommended that you place heavy items on to the surface for long periods of time for the first few weeks as they may leave indentations you don't want. The surface needs to completely oxidize to become the rock hard surface you will enjoy.
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what is the fullname of aqua stone i canonly find cleaner not mix
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Differently looks way better than it did!
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Can I paint over the old laminate on my kitchen and bathroom countertops? What would I use?
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Would this work for a tiled kitchen counter?