Laundry Room Part III - Painting the Countertop

This is our laundry room sink.  The old countertop and backsplash had seen their better days, but I didn't want to spend a fortune updating.  I researched the dos and don'ts of painting countertops and encountered more don'ts than dos.  Then I came across a new product:  Giani Countertop Paint.  It was well worth the price and minimal effort required to transform our countertop from mundane to marvelous.

After my handy helper removed the sink (which isn't required but does make things much easier) I filled the deep nicks and gouges with wood putty, sanded the entire area to be painted with 220 grit sandpaper and thoroughly cleaned it to remove any grease and dust.  Then it was time to begin.  First step:  primer.  As you will see, the black primer adds depth and character to the finished product.

The kit comes with everything you need, but I was delighted to learn different colors can be incorporated to create your very own super-coordinated look.  I began by dabbing turquoise acrylic craft paint to give it a little pizazz.

After that it was a matter of dab, dab, dabbing on the three special mineral paint colors with a sea sponge.  It is soooooooo simple

If you follow the directions, paying special attention to the drying times for each layer, you absolutely cannot screw up this project.  The final step is applying two layers of the special, automotive grade clear top coat.  It is very durable, water will not weaken or dull it like other poly coats and it doesn't chip, crack or peel.  The really cool thing about this countertop paint is its feel.  It is subtly rough, just like real granite.  If all of these pluses don't impress you... all of the paint from primer to topcoat is water based and non-toxic.  Clean up is a breeze.

We were so pleased with the end result we decided the new countertop deserved a new sink.  (Plus Glen wasn't real crazy about having to lift that old 150 pound cast iron sink again.)  We completed the area by sanding, painting and adding new hardware to the cupboard doors; replacing the old backsplash with vinyl coated faux beadboard; and topped it off with painted trim.

Here's a quick look at the difference this project has made, which can easily be accomplished on a weekend.

 So what do you think?