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Monday, December 12, 2011

Review-Giani Granite Paint for Countertops

If you’re new around here, I should show you  how my kitchen looked this time last year:
100_7366

100_8694I painted my oak cabinets white, and I even painted my vinyl floor. Did you notice the utensil holder and knife block? I painted them with Krylon Stainless Steel paint.

100_9215I also added a board and batten back splash.  I wanted to update my countertops, but it wasn’t in the budget.
Enter
Giani Granite Paint for Countertops.

Bombay Black
Complete Kit:
  • IronCoreTM    Primer-Base Coat
  • Pearl Mica Mineral
  • Black Onyx Mineral
  • Bronze Mineral
  • Automotive 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

Giani Granite


Let’s begin!

Giani Granite 151The first thing I had to do was remove any silicone caulk, because it’s not paintable.



Giani Granite 156The next step was to tape off everything with ScotchBlue painter’s tape. I used a large baggie for my faucet and small baggies for my handles.



Giani Granite 157I started applying the primer with the roller.



Giani Granite 159The coverage was really great!



Giani Granite 162I did a light second coat. It only calls for one coat, but I’m a 2 coat primer girl.



Giani Granite 167Looking good!



Giani Granite 170I gathered all of the items from my kit.  I cut the sponge into smaller pieces.

I practiced on the poster board, but I didn’t take any pictures of that.



Giani Granite 172If you ever do anything like this, you know that sometimes you forget you’re a blogger.  I didn’t snap many pictures, and the ones I did take are poor quality.



Giani Granite 174In the DVD (which I watched twice) the lady tells you that you get more depth with more layering.  It called for me to do the Pearl Mica Mineral  first, then the Black Onyx Mineral, with the Bronze Mineral being last.  I did that, but then I added a little more of the Black Onyx and then added a little of the Pearl Mica.  I don’t think there is a wrong way to layer.  It’s all a personal preference.  I used VERY little of the Bronze Mineral.
You work in about 2 ft. sections, with all 3 colors before you move onto the next 2 ft. section.  You do not do all one color, then the second, and third color.


Giani Granite 176I believe this is after one coat of the topcoat.


Giani Granite 179When I removed the tape I did have a little bleed, but I really believe it was operator error.  When I added my board and batten backsplash there was quite a gap, which meant more than the usual amount of caulk.

Please ignore the toaster in the sink.  I had not used my sink for a couple of days (had everything covered with tape and baggies) but I wanted some toast and  couldn’t put the toaster on the countertop. 



Giani Granite 181The finish is perfect. I am not a real “glossy” person.  I’m generally more of a matte finish girl. I applied 2 coats of the topcoat, then scored the tape and removed it.

Giani Granite 184I will give my countertops a good deal of time to cure. Anytime I paint something, I let it cure really well, and this will be no exception.



Giani Granite 185I have to tell you that I have had this kit for quite a while. I kept putting it off because I thought I wouldn’t be able to accomplish it with good results.



Giani Granite 186It’s pretty difficult to take a picture of such a shiny surface!

Giani Granite 187I LOVE the way it shows off my painted cabinets!

Giani Granite 196Here you can see that I definitely need new appliances!  My stove and fridge are so dated!  This is a quickly staged photo because I need to wait a couple of days before I put my stuff back on the countertops.

Giani Granite 199In these photos I have not re-caulked yet.

Giani Granite 207I have caulked (late Sunday night) but haven’t taken any pics yet.

Giani Granite 212Do you love them as well?  If so, be sure to stop by tomorrow for a GIVEAWAY!  Yep!  I loved the kit and asked Giani if they would like to do a giveaway.  I like to keep ya’ll happy!


gail
Disclosure: Although Giani Granite supplied me with a kit to review, my opinions as always are my own. I received no compensation to write this post.





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Amanda said...

Bloomin' heck misses! What a stunning transformation, you did a wonderful job on the counters. I the all white cabinets too, so airy.

Mariaelena said...

WOW!!!...I'm a new follower to your blog this morning. You did such a good job on your countertops...amazing...and very patient...what a big job that is..I hope you enjoy it for years to come...:)..we just painted our kitchen cabinets..final reveal soon...pls visit so you can see the result!!...Happy decorating, Mariaelena

A To Zebra Celebrations said...

holy smokes!! this is amazing!!! I must do something with my countertops :) ~nancy~

Renewed Upon a Dream said...

Oh my gosh I had no idea something like this existed! It looks really good! I'm not surprised that you had the kit for a while but put off doing it for fear of not being able to pull it off, I would be SO scared! If it didn't turn out well you'd be kinda out of luck on your countertop! Not cheep! But, it turned out really well I think! Very nice for a small investment to hold you over until the funds are available for the real thing!

Ann said...

Your new countertop looks great. I'd never heard of that paint before. Excellent job!

Sharon said...

I have been telling every one about this since I seen you talk about it this weekend. And I showed this to my hubby this morning. He likes it and said, he is so unhappy with our Mobile home counter tops. He is willing to give this a try. So yep, with your new counters, You need black appliances. Our cabinets are the same color as your prepainted cabinets and we have black appliances. And plan to go with the same color you did. It will look great.

Terri said...

Wow, what a great addition to your beautifully redone kitchen. Nice job!!

Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing said...

AWESOME! I have this kit too and can't wait to use it in our bathroom. Yours turned out fantastic Gail!

Sue said...

Gail, once again you stomped me with an awesome product. If my old counter-top would have been so scratched up with cracks too, this product would have been worth a try!
Thanks or sharing another awesome project!
Have a wonderful week,
Sue

Stitch a Wish Designs said...

Awesome job and they totally look "real"! Way to go!

Feral Turtle said...

Your kitchen is amazing! I love what you have done with it. Your countertops look stunning with the white cupboards. What a wonderful job you have done! Merry Christmas!

ohiofarmgirl said...

It looks wonderful and I have debated whether this is for me. One question I have is about the fumes. I am wondering since I have breathing issues with strong fumes. Dianntha

Toqua's Crafts said...

WOW! What an amazing job with AMAZING results! It looks great Gail. Enjoy your *new* kitchen!

Paige (Final Clothes-Out) said...

I have to say, I'm always a little nervous when people talk about painting their countertops, but these look good! When everything is completely dry and re-staged, you should take a long shot of the whole room. I want to see the whole look. :-)

Rachel said...

That's pretty awesome, I didn't know you could do that

Shannon said...

They look great!!!

Its So Very Cheri said...

It looks awesome Gail.

Cheri

jamie said...

nice job! they look great! can't wait to see them next week. :)

Meg I am..... said...

Using the Giani system on my counter tops AND my SIL's is first up on my "to-do" list after Christmas!!

Love how yours turned out!!

http://megschmitt-neveradullday.blogspot.com/

Gloria Fox @ Potentially Beautiful said...

Your countertops look awesome! What a great alternative if you can't afford to change them. Thanks for the tutorial!

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

You did an amazing job! To me, your counters look just like granite! They do look great with your white cabinets.
I have some dated appliances, too. I'm going to keep them until they don't work anymore.

Attempting Aloha said...

I, too, have had the kit sitting on my shelf, afraid to bust it open...you've given me courage! It looks great!!

Aloha,
Charlie

Korrie@RedHenHome said...

You've inspired me, Gail! I think I am going to start my countertops tonight. Surely no one is going to come look at our house in the two weeks before Christmas!

Anna@Directions Not Included said...

Um, wow. That is all I can come up with...wow.

I Play Outside The Box said...

OMG, you kill me girl!! That looks fabulous!! Can't wait to see more pictures.

Layn @ reignalayn.blogspot.com said...

Looks great! Can't wait to see more pics. Love the white cabinets. Your kitchen looks so much more airy/open.

Proper Prim said...

Gail... you totally outdid yourself on this job. I can't stop admiring it... I sooooo want to do this now.

I was going to replace my countertops but I think I could save some bucks and do this instead.

I am with you about the shiny... I am a matte girl too, however I don't mind my countertop and floors being shiny. It screams clean to me for some reason...lol.

Hugs, Deb
Great job my friend.

Cassie @ Primitive & Proper said...

HOLY MOLY!!!!!!! what a difference, gail! that paint did an amazing job and makes the kitchen look SO much nicer! i love love love it!

rebecca said...

ok, i did this about a year ago to my counters. it is now starting to peal and chip and is driving me crazy! are you goign to try any other sealer or just what came in the kit?
rwvanvoorhis at gmail dot com

Aly said...

WOW! That sure beats my orange '50s boomerang countertops that we can't afford to replace.

My Cottage Charm said...

Those turned out fab...I just love the difference it made in your kitchen! :)
OH..and yes I did get a lot of gifts out of one cake...albeit a very large cake..it was awesome! I have got to get that recipe from my mom and share it...it's unreal how good that thing is!
Love ya
Missy
PS..I'm still shocked how fast you got that Christmas card...I mailed it out the day before!

Sommer said...

Gail I am so freaking glad you did this first lol. I got this kit almost two weeks ago and have decided to wait until after christmas to start the project because I am so nervous of the outcome! I can't wait to try it out and do my review! Your counter tops look fabulous!

Vanessa said...

Hi, Gail

You kitchen looks great! Love the counter and its sure an easy way to change the look. Once you let it cure, do you know if you will be able to sit anything hot or cold on the counter without the paint peeling away? Not hot like off the stove. Just wonder?

Have a great week.

Vanessa

Carwin Candids said...

Beautiful!!! Your kitchen looks amazing! You have done a wonderful job! I am very impressed!

Thanks for sharing!
Mindi

It's Just Me said...

Gail your counters turned out just beautiful. I love how the cabinets pop now. What a difference : )

Patricia P. said...

Great job. The counter tops are amazing!

E said...

Oh my gosh Gail these turned out great !! I didn't know such products existed :) Elaine

Cousin B said...

I'm picking my jaw up off the floor.....You did beautiful work on those cabinets and the countertops are amazing! I may have to get the nerve up to try that.... THANKS FOR SHARING!

Meari said...

I've always wondered how well those kits work. Your kitchen looks really good.

Connie said...

Oh my gosh...this is awesome!!! I have a kitchen full of horrible old white linoleum counter tops, this is the answer!!!! Thank you so much for the review!!!

Stephanie said...

Seriously! This is the best job ever. I love how the black grounds the room. You can go with any accent color with the black and the white, that is the beauty of it. Love, love love it. Can't wait for those appliances :)

Full Circle Creations said...

Great job! Love the way it looks! I painted counter tops several years ago and they look very similar to yours. Thanks for sharing!

Holly

Vanessa said...

Oh. My. Goodness. I had no idea that this was possible! And here I've been thinking that I would never get new countertops because we would have to buy new. And it's sold at Walmart! I'm adding this to my list of things to do this year. :)

Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing said...

Finally did it Gail! I love how mine turned out as well. Great stuff!~

Megan said...

I had seen an advertisement about painting countertops to look like granite in a Lowes circular, loved the idea, but was very leery about how it would turn out...it looks terrific, now that you have had some time to live with it and use it, I am wondering how it is holding up? I worry more about the maintenance of it than the actual process and first look.....

gail said...

Megan--you are a no-reply blogger, so I hope you will check to see this response.
I am still very thrilled with my counter tops. Someone wrote to me to say they did it a couple of years ago and had some "scratches". I put felt on the bottom of all the items I store on my counter, and I'm being pretty careful.
Polycrylic is the top coat and it's pretty durable.
I never cut anything on my counter before, so I still don't do that.
I am very pleased, but I was so ready for a change, so I had nothing to lose.
gail

Anonymous said...

Hi there! I'm new to pinterest but I wanted to say if your appliances work well, you can also paint those. I painted an oven and stove using engine paint bought at an auto store such as napa, auto zone, or some place similar. THe cans are fairly cheap and come in many colors.

 

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