Faux granite paint can be applied on top of your existing kitchen or bathroom countertop. It can also be applied directly to plaster walls, exposed brick, fireplace surrounds and table tops. With a few steps and a few days, your old laminate or Formica countertop will resemble a hard, glossy granite.
Lightly sand the entire countertop with 100-150 grit sandpaper. Use a small foam roller to roll a coat of oil-based primer over the counters. Allow the primer to dry completely and then lightly sand the surface with 220 grit sandpaper. Roll a coat of white paint onto the countertops and allow it to dry.
Laminate that Looks Like Granite
If you like the look of granite but don't like the price tag, Wilsonart makes laminate countertops that look like granite. This versatile pattern has a unique blend of gray, chocolate and black veining with a cream backdrop.
Many recommend a water-based acrylic primer, paint and top coat. Acrylic paint dries to provide the hard surface needed for heavy-use areas like countertops, while water-based acrylic paint cleans up with water and is low on odors. Either way, you'll want to create proper ventilation in your kitchen while painting.
Epoxy countertops make great marble replacements. They can be made to look similar and are highly durable.
Formica® Countertops - Can I just paint them? "Yes"... Formica® countertops can be painted and over time people have used latex paints, epoxies, and even cans of enamel spray paint.
Granite is a natural stone that is quarried out of the ground and then cut and polished to size, whereas laminate for counters is usually cheaper pressed woods coated in countertop laminates sheets (thin plastic-like veneers) that are printed according to your design.
The truth is, laminate, Formica®, and Wilsonart® are basically the same; laminate is the material while Formica® and Wilsonart® are the brand names. Both brands come in a wide range of colors and patterns and are widely marketed for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, and bar counters.
For Formica® HPL and DecoMetal® Metal Laminates, we recommend disinfecting with: 1) Quaternary Ammonium which is the largest group (198 listed) of EPA approved disinfectants. Examples of Quaternary Ammonium products include: Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes, Lysol®, Virex®, Caviwipes®… 3) Sodium Hypochlorite or Bleach.
Use a Countertop Paint Kit
You can purchase paint kits that allow you to update the look of your countertops. The product is simple to use and can give you the look of stone for less than hundred dollars. If you want a new look, but don't want to spend a lot of money, painting your countertops is a great option.
Use a Countertop Refinishing Kit
Countertop resurfacing kits are like paint on steroids. These kits include an epoxy-like paint and decorative stone chips to create the look of natural stone. Most kits are designed for making over old laminate counter surfaces.
Faux marble is usually created with paint techniques. A faux marble look can be created on any surface by using a feather to mimic the veins that appear in authentic marble and a sea sponge to blend the paint colors together. Faux marble tiles can be purchased from a kitchen supply store or flooring store.
Spotting Fake Granite: Tap the Surface
If you lightly tap on the back of the surface with a small hammer, real granite should produce a ringing sound. To the contrary, fake granite will make a small click sound. If the stone produces the latter of the two sounds, you will know that it is not the natural stone.
Conclusion. Corian is a branded name used in reference to solid surface countertops. These surfaces are a step up from laminate but still lack the durability and aesthetics that would allow them to compete with natural stone such as quartz.