Are you tired of the look of the granite in your kitchen or bathroom or the granite surrounding your fireplace? If so, you can always change it, but if you are on a tight budget or simply do not want to shell out money for all new countertops or fireplace surround, then you may consider painting the granite instead.
Of course, it is always easier to simply purchase brand-new countertops or have a new surround put in to frame your fireplace, but if you are on a budget, you may not be able to do that right now. Also, if you have someone else doing the installation of new countertops, you will have to spend even more money. Paint is a much less expensive option and provides you with the results you are attempting to achieve, but there will be some planning and work on your part to get the job done well and properly.
But can you paint over the top of the granite? Yes, but it can a challenging task, and to do it correctly, you must prepare properly before starting your project. You need to do your homework to understand which tools and products you will need after you decide on the look you want to achieve.
Do you want a marble look, or are you going to stay with a granite look but use a different color scheme? Will a solid color work better with the decor of the room you are changing? How large is your bathroom or kitchen?
These are just some of the questions you need to know the answers to before starting your granite painting project, and hopefully, the tips below will help you out.
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The Prep
To prep your countertops or fireplace surround to paint, you need to rough up the surface by sanding the area. You will then want to scrub the counters or fireplace surround and vacuum any debris thoroughly before moving on to the next step.
You want the area to be rough so the paint will stick to it better, and you definitely want to have a clean workspace, so you do not end up painting tiny particles into your countertop and fireplace area. It is also important to clean and vacuum around the area you will be working in, especially after you are finished sanding, because you do not want dust and dirt particles making their way into your primer, paint, or sealer during your project.
Prime Time
You will want to apply a primer to the countertop or surround to ensure the best results and that the paint adheres well without chipping or rubbing off later on. A primer such as the Kilz Adhesion primer works well on glossy surfaces, and you can even have it tinted to match the color of paint you will be using for your countertops or surround to make your living room, family, bathroom, or kitchen gorgeous, warm, and inviting.
Choosing the Color Scheme and Type of Paint
You will want to choose a paint color for your granite countertops or surround that will go along with the rest of the room. If you are going for a marble look or another color palette for a granite look, you will need to choose multiple colors to complete your design.
The type of paint should be latex, epoxy, or acrylic paint that will have staying power for the future. Acrylic latex paint is a great choice since it holds up well against heat and water, which are two of the elements you need to keep in mind when painting around a fireplace or in a kitchen or bathroom area.
When choosing a color scheme, keep in mind that brighter colors are better for a smaller room because the darker colors tend to absorb the light and can actually make a room look and feel smaller. If you have a large kitchen or bathroom, you can go with darker shades.
If you are painting the granite around your fireplace, you can pretty much choose whatever color you want that goes with the room décor and draws the eye to the area as a focal point of the room.
Take Your Time
You will definitely want to take your time when painting the granite in your home. The paint will need plenty of time to dry completely before you head into the next step of the process. Just know that you may not be able to use your fireplace during the process, and your time and activities in the kitchen and bathroom will also be limited for a few days until the process is completed.
Seal It Up
After the paint on the granite has completely dried, you can apply a sealer. This is a very important step as this will lock in the paint and protect the beautiful work you have done to change the look and feel of your kitchen, bathroom, or fireplace area. Your counters will be gorgeous, and you do not want anything to ruin their beauty which is the reason you need to use a great sealer.
The sealer helps to protect the area from things like scuff marks, stains from spills, dirt, grime, and even scratches. A masonry sealer works best on granite and other natural stones, so you will definitely need to make sure you have a gallon or two of that type of sealer on hand before you begin this step.
You can apply the sealer with a roller or paintbrush, then let it dry completely, at least for 24 hours, before using the fireplace or putting items back on your countertops. The sealer will also help to protect your bathroom or kitchen countertops from mold and mildew and will leave the area sparkling and clean.
Now that your project is complete, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the amazing job you did in transforming your kitchen, bathroom, or fireplace area without the expense and hassle of a complete renovation.
