When we decide to renovate our homes, kitchens and bathrooms usually become the spotlight. Due to being used on a daily basis, these two areas are prone to feel the passage of time in a lot of ways: be it on the walls, on the floor, on the cabinets, the exposure to water flow, food residue and body fluids will show its signs eventually. For that there’s always a solution – but what about those old granite countertops that haven’t been changed in forever?
Well, if you’re reading this article you might have come across an essential question: is it possible to paint granite countertops like we do walls? The answer is yes, although we don’t recommend actually painting them.
Find out all you need to know about granite countertop paint and the tips we have for you! In case you’re looking for a specific granite, click here to start browsing through our online catalog.
Why painting granite countertops is tricky
For starters, we should warn you that this process is more complicated than it sounds, hence the lack of information on the subject. After all, most homeowners tend to completely substitute their old countertops for brand new ones, which is the logical thing to do. A good renewal not only changes up the whole cabinetry and furniture, for instance, but also makes room for new color schemes that might not go along with outdated granite.
However, there are some people who either lack the necessary budget to replace their stone sets or are too emotionally attached to them in order to do so. If that’s your case, you might have considered the possibility of glowing up your old granite with a special paint – if there is one – and here we are. So, what do you need to know before embarking on this train?
A lot of things. In fact, keep in mind that painting a stone requires meticulous work and extra time, especially if you’re doing it yourself. There are alternative and simpler solutions to this problem, such as applying a sealer or getting yourself a leathered finish. Both are easier to manage by most experts and always available on the general market, which makes the average budget more or less the same. Our tip is to spend that amount of money on something lasting that is sure to work instead of taking risks.
Read as well: Granite Countertops: The Definitive Guide
If you still decide to go along with it
In spite of all the downsides we’ve just mentioned, maybe you’re still up to the task. That’s perfectly fine – just don’t expect the same results as the other options.
Granite is a natural stone – and natural stones, just like any other smooth and glossy surfaces, struggle to adhere to paint. That means that it won’t be just a matter of buying a can of colored liquid and making it work with a brush. To really make it stick, you’ll need a high-quality coating that can stand up to heat and water and lots of patience.
In the end, though, paint is not totally waterproof, so it will start crumbling one way or another. It is possible to do it, but not very practical.
Step-by-step: Granite Countertop Paint
First thing: you’ll need to remove all silicone caulking and clean up residue and dirt with rubbing alcohol. After that, it’s time to scrub the granite with a degreasing soap and thoroughly rinse it with clean water. This will help with adhesion.
Now, the main problem is sticking the stone to the paint itself, which can be done by abrading it. You can do this manually with sandpaper – and make sure not to miss any small corner spots while you’re at it, because it might compromise the new finish in the future. We recommend you do this with an electric sander. Chemical etching products can also be used here, but make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Once the granite is clean, get ready to mask off any areas you don’t want painted with plastic and tape. After that, you may now apply a quality primer that is compatible with the coating chosen. Let it sit until it totally dries off.
Finally, you can go ahead and paint your countertop. There are special paints for this kind of work – and it’s always great to get professional assistance with these things. This different composition is vital to make the job worth the money and effort, since ordinary paint will not fulfill the needs of your kitchen or bathroom. Like we said, the whole process is tricky from start to finish, so it’s not uncommon for amateurs to leave noticeable brush strokes here and there.
When all is said and done, the final touches come from sealing your new granite countertop. As you may already know, this is usual maintenance for stones of any kind.
You’re done! We hope we answered all your doubts on granite countertop paint.
Get professional help today
Eagle Stones can offer several solutions for countertop renewal and much more. You can count on our experts for unlimited national and international supply, professional installation services and even free estimates. Get in touch with us today!
Did you know that we also sell pavers to Sarasota and surrounding counties? Visit Eagle Pavers to start quoting your next patio and personal driveway.
