| I once had a neighbor who faced brilliant orange | | | | best adhesion and durability. |
| Formica counter tops in her home. Raising little ones | | | | Step 5) Once the primer is completely dry, you can |
| on a single mother's salary didn't allow her the budget | | | | now use water based paints to do your project. |
| to replace those counter tops. To her, (as it would | | | | Paint the base color over the entire surface and allow |
| be to me), living with those counter tops would be | | | | to dry. |
| nearly unbearable! She tried everything she could to | | | | Step 6) with a brush, blot on your main secondary |
| cover them to no avail. They were still orange, they | | | | color (the one that seems to stand out the most in |
| were still an eyesore. | | | | your printed sample) allowing the background color to |
| If you face the same sort of dilemma with Formica, | | | | show through. You can either use an old towel, wall |
| or even with ceramic tile, there is a great solution | | | | paint brush or flat end stencil brush with great results. |
| and not at all difficult. Faux finish them! The technique | | | | Depending on the look of your sample (a very |
| is the same for both surfaces. | | | | blotchy look or smoother, softer colors) you may |
| The counter tops in our Everett, Washington home | | | | want to blend as you go. My sample showed |
| were white and very poorly done. We will replace | | | | smoother, more blended colors. Yours might be quite |
| them before we sell the house in 2009 to move to | | | | spotty with definite "dots" of color. In that case, |
| our home in Idaho, but I didn't want to do that until | | | | don't blend. |
| we were ready to put it on the market. | | | | Step 7) Spatter on 2nd color either by blotting larger |
| Could I stand the poor glue job one more day? Not a | | | | dots as with the first color, or by dipping a |
| chance. So while friend husband was on a business | | | | toothbrush in to the paint color then flicking the |
| trip to Italy, I faux finished them to pale, but rich | | | | bristles with your fingers (Protect the floor and back |
| looking granite. The difference it made was incredible! | | | | splash or walls when performing this technique). |
| Here's how: | | | | Repeat the above processes with any further colors |
| Step 1) Go on the Internet and find photos of | | | | needed to complete the look. |
| granite that appeal to you and match your decor | | | | Step 8) Allow the surface to dry completely then |
| colors. Print out a sample sheet as your working | | | | seal with 3 coats of water based Polyurethane sealer |
| example. | | | | in "gloss" finish. The gloss gives you the appearance |
| Step 2) Examine the photo closely. Real granite | | | | of shiny, polished granite. DO follow manufacturer's |
| typically consists of a main, over-all color with | | | | directions when using all products. |
| "blotches" or dots of secondary colors. Decide what | | | | There are many styles of granite to choose from |
| would be the base (background color) would be and | | | | and with just a bit of practice on a sample board |
| the two or three secondary colors. For instance, my | | | | before beginning, you can achieve basically the same |
| granite choice required a deep gold background and | | | | look with just a paint brush and these techniques. |
| dark brown, white and gold as secondary colors. Ask | | | | Granite color examples: |
| your local paint store employee to help you with | | | | Deep Green Granite: Background dark Olive green, |
| choices if need be. | | | | light olive green and black as secondary colors. |
| Step 3) Clean the surface well then wipe with pure | | | | Gray Granite: Pale Gray background color with dark |
| white vinegar to give it a bit more "tooth". On | | | | gray, brown and white as secondary colors. |
| Formica, a very light sanding helps to make your | | | | Light brown granite: Light brown background with |
| primer adhere. | | | | secondary colors of dark brown and cream. |
| Step 4) Prime the surface with oil based primer such | | | | Now you can venture out to find just the right |
| as "BIN" or "KILZ". Oil based primers give you the | | | | granite color choice for your project. |