Granite Paint for Countertops #win

Example Image from Giani

I was reading the newspaper last week and found an interesting article. Since home sales are low and the economy is sad, people are unable to move and “upgrade” to a newer, nicer home. So in response, homeowners are doing upgrades to their own homes by fixing kitchens, bathrooms or even adding on to their existing home!

Right now, my husband is fixing our “master” bath by installing a new sink and water-saving toilet. And in the kitchen I added a new sink and upgraded my countertops to a Granite finish. I know, you are thinking that Granite Countertops are not an affordable fix. But I said it was a Granite FINISH – not new countertops.

For $49.50 you can buy Giani Granite Paint for Countertops, which will do approximately 35 square feet of countertop space. That was more than enough to do my small kitchen! When I first saw the package, I was a little uncertain that the small cans would be enough for my 20+ square feet. But my husband, the more experienced painter, assured me I had enough black primer to get me started. There are different kits that you can purchase, with eight countertop colors and a myriad of potential results, but I chose the Bombay Black. That kit came with:

• 12 Oz. of IronCoreTM Primer / Base Coat
• 6 Oz. of Black Onyx Mineral
• 6 Oz. of Pearl Mica Mineral
• 4 Oz. of Bronze Mineral
• 16 Oz. Automotive Grade Polyurethane Topcoat
• 6″ GIANITM roller arm and two roller pads
• 4″ GIANITM granite paint sponge
• 2″ Foam Brush
• Black Practice Poster Board
• Paint-by-Number’ DVD for beginners
• Illustrated Instructions

My finished counter - close up.

Of all the reviews I read, only one had an issue and she was trying to maintain a black color with no granite look. From what I could tell, she only put on the primer and decided not to go through with it. She also complained about dog hair. (!!!)

Okay, so this is what I did. The instructions say to clean your countertops 3 times to ensure it is degreased and clean. I removed my sink (not necessary, but we were going to put in a new sink anyways) and I cleaned that counter top probably 10 times – both before and after the sink was removed. I just wanted to be sure there wasn’t a speck of ANYTHING that would make this project work.

I painted on the primer, which took me 40 minutes. I don’t have a lot of painting experience, and I was very nervous. I did make sure I taped off the wall, stove and fridge. You have to mix that primer can VERY WELL, because a lot of the “stuff” in it settled to the bottom. I personally think the one reviewer I referenced above did not shake it enough and it resulted in a spotty application. Mine went on gorgeous and my husband and I were tempted to leave it as-is … but I wanted my faux marble!

So after it dried over 8 hours, I started with the Pearl Mica using the sponge technique. When they say Pearl, they mean it. I was expecting a white color, but it shined just like a pearl. I was worried as I spotted it on that my counters would look so white and glossy, but I kept at it. Then I started applying the deep, shiny dark Black Onyx with the sponge. It layered over the Pearl adding some dimension and depth. After that I added the Bronze. I know some people leave the bronze out completely. But when I opened the can I fell in love with the color. It says a little goes a long way … but I used enough to make it noticeable – but far less than the Pearl or Onyx mineral. The result was GORGEOUS. My husband would keep coming in as I painted, commenting on the difference.

Finally, after that dried I painted on my topcoat. At that point I was on Day 2 of this project. The topcoat goes on milky, but dries clear. You want to do two coats, but no more. There is a 4 hour dry time between them. So by the afternoon on Day #2 I was officially done painting. When I walk out of the kitchen and back in, it is truly like I got new countertops! The finish is amazing!

Now here is my list of Why Giani Granite Paint Rocks for Countertops, Compared to “Traditional Granite”:

• Unlike a “real” marble counter, I can make my countertops look EXACTLY like I want. The right amount of white, black and bronze to suit my taste.
• Economical! $50 compared to $$$$.
• Can be easily changed to a new color if I change my cabinets or repaint the kitchen. There are so many color options!
• Cleaner! Traditional granite countertops are naturally porous and absorb liquids and foods that can hold in harmful bacteria if not resealed every year. GIANI countertop finishes are designed to lock out moisture and resist bacteria because of their unique blend of polymers and minerals.

Here is my “before” and “after” picture, progress pictures, and you can see close-ups too!

Overall, I am uber pleased! You can use Giani Granite Paint in multiple rooms and surfaces.

• Traditional granite countertops and vanities
• Formica® countertops and vanities
• Laminate countertops and vanities
• Corian® countertops – see note below
• Butcherblock countertops
• Ceramic tile countertops and backsplashes
• Cultured marble vanities – see note below
• Wood
• Primed or painted drywall
• Cabinet inlays
• Table tops
• Mantels
• Primed acrylic or fiberglass shower walls

Giani Granite Paint is an affordable way to update countertops, cabinets, mantels and more! Plus, you can even use Thomas Liquid Stainless Steel to further upgrade your appliances to a stainless steel finish – whether you just want your whole kitchen to look posh, or you are trying to match older appliances to newer ones!

So the buzz is, there is no reason an “extreme home makeover” needs to cost “an extreme amount of money”! Get the finish you want for the best price by visiting Liquid Stainless Steel.com. There you will find both the Stainless Steel finish and the Granite Countertop Paint.

One Winner will win One (1) Granite Countertop Kit.

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Contest ends 5/30/10. This is open to the USA. Please refer to complete contest rules. The entries listed above are the ONLY entries for this contest. Winners will be notified by e-mail (if supplied in the entry or on profile page), as well as on the Winner’s Wall.

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products! The Mom Buzz received a kit to review. The sponsor is handling prize fulfillment.