DIY Painting Black Faux Granite Countertops
- Granite must be absolutely smooth, so sand your surface to be sure there are no uneven spots. This will also prepare the surface to receive the paint better. You'll need to use a primer/sealer first before you paint a base coat. Ask to have the primer tinted gray or as dark as they can get it. You'll most likely need two coats of primer to get the color to cover the original surface.
Once the primer has dried, paint at least two coats of a black satin paint. You can usually find this paint premixed. An eggshell sheen would also work. Let this dry at least four hours. - To achieve the look of granite, use several sea sponges with varying sizes of holes. This technique is actually a simple sponge paint, except that to get the refined look, you'll want the dots of paint to be small and very close together.
Choose several colors of acrylic paint, such as dark and light grays, white and icy blue. Mix each color on a separate plastic plate with equal amounts of clear glaze. - Dampen your sea sponges slightly and then dip in one color of the paint/glaze mixture. Blot the sponge on the clean space of your plate until there is very little glaze left on the sponge. Use a newspaper or paper towel if you need to so the paint doesn't leave blobs on your surface.
Use a stamping motion with your sponges to add tiny dots of color on about 20 percent of the surface. Let it dry and follow with the other colors you have chosen.
If the surface seems too dark, add more of the white and blue colors. If it's too light, follow with a bit of black paint mixed with glaze. - To add random accents, use a stiff brush and dip it in the black glaze. Then pull back the bristles and spatter black dots here and there. It's a good idea to practice this first.
Spritz the finish with rubbing alcohol which will give it a pitted look.
When your surface has dried overnight, apply at least two coats of a high-gloss varnish. This will protect your finish and make the surface very easy to clean.
