Countertop Paint Kit (Sicilian Sand)

It will be a while before I could remodel my whole entire kitchen so I wanted to make it feel like home. The counter tops were sand color with the flecks in it, nothing eye sore about it, just blah. I like doing projects around the house and we've been in our house well over 3 1/2 years and with only updating with paint on the walls.I researched the Rustoleum product for the counter tops and I was planning on going with that until I heard that it left a horrible after smell because that's how the product worked. Not what I was wanting with 3 kids in the house. Then I came across the Giani products and researched it online before purchasing. It seemed like a good candidate and so I purchased it.I got this shipment pretty quickly and in great condition. I watched the dvd at least 3 times to ensure I was going to do it right. And sometimes found myself referring back to it when I got to each phase I was at.It does only take a whole weekends worth of time (most of it for drying time) but it is well worth the effort. I painted my primer on the night before since that takes at least 4 hours to dry but I figured, I'd give it a little extra over night. It couldn't hurt. I was going to take my entire sink out to do this but my husband, well, didn't want to. So I worked with the sink in, no big deal. The minerals itself take 4 hours to dry, total time. You have to do each mineral separately so that they do not blend into each other. You have the option to use what mineral colors to your liking. I did choose to use the bronze but very seldom and randomly. I figured it gave it a little more depth.If you are a perfectionist or OCD about things, then this will probably give you a hard time. Although, the minerals are suppose to be random, you feel the need that it's just not right. That was my case. I started with the black mineral (per instructions) then the pearl and stopped there. I wanted to make sure that's how I liked it. So I slept on it. It's a good thing I did because I felt I over did it with the pearl so I went back over with more black. You just have to lightly and I emphasize, "lightly" sponge on the minerals. The harder you dab, the more the shape of the sponge you'll see in your finished product. But all in all, this product has great coverage. I don't know what real granite looks like and highly doubt it looks like my counter tops, although I had a friend said that they did. I, do however, enjoy my counter tops now than before. It's a quick and simple project that is super affordable and a temporary fix. I have left over product to do more, if needed.On the durability of the product - I waited at least 14 days (as recommended) to lay anything on the counter. I had a folding table to do my cooking, chopping...etc temporarily. I've had this product on my counter tops for about a month now and felt it was a good time to do a review on it. Sometimes, people jump the gun, you know what I mean. Whatever dishes I have left over that doesn't fit in my dishwasher, I normally do them by hand and set them on a kitchen towel on the counter. Thinking that the counter top was at it's total dry time, I figured it should be good to keep it on there. Well, I ended up running out somewhere and it stayed on my counter for a few hours, maybe more. I took the towel off and like a previous reviewer said, it caused a blotchy spot and little tiny bubbles. I was totally bummed and was about to scrape it up and fix it. Good thing was, it was close to bed time and well, I didn't want to embark on that at that moment. So I slept on it. Went to check it the next morning and it was gone!! Bubbles and blotchy marks! I was so relieved since I really didn't want to re-do it. And I have to be honest, I'm always leaving water all over the counters and don't wipe them up right away and most of the time does it. The blotchy spots, if you can imagine when you leave a hot pot on the table and it leaves the heat spot. It's kind of like that on these counters. But don't touch or start to re-fix them!! They will go away in a couple hours of drying, trust me!!! It's a weekly thing with me :) I beat my counter tops up and I've had not one scratch on them or peeling up anywhere. I didn't even put back the caulk around the sink like you're suppose to after you're done painting and nothing has lifted.All in all, if you read the directions and follow each step as instructed, you'll have no problem. I highly recommend this product for anyone looking for a new look. :) This counter top color also looks great with grey tones (like how I did with my cabinets).

My stomach sank when I discovered how much it was going to cost to update or replace the 44 year old dated looking laminate in my small Kitchen.The window sill, countertops & miniature bar looked very dated. It was chipped, stained, burnt etc.Then by accident I discovered the Gianni Granite kit when I was looking for items to update my kitchen & bath with.I was excited at the possibilities & potential to save a lot of money while savaging my laminate countertops.I called customer service & shared my concerns & apprehension about doing this.The application process she shared with me is the one she successfully uses & typically recommends.This process allows you more time to fine tune & fix the way it looks as you're proceeding step-by-step.1st clean your countertop then fill in any small holes, scratches, chips with "Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler Stainable for interior/exterior" as it's water resistant-which is critical for countertops. Apply with small putty blade/knife then let it dry. Just follow directions for drying time.Then lightly sand with 150 grit sandpaper until it smoothly blends with countertop.Note: I even fill in the gaps around the chrome or silver base of laminate backsplash to create a smooth seamless look by using my fingers to smooth the wood filler around it while applying. After it dry's then lightly sand to blend & smooth it.After cleaning , get a fan ready to help speed up drying time with either a table, step ladder or stool to place fan on.Get a paint pan then apply aluminum foil inside of it to speed up the cleaning process by simply disposing it when done.You'll start out by applying the black acrylic primer paint which is water based. You'll use the enclosed NAP & roller which comes with the kit.I recommend going to Walmart & going to the section where they have packaged assortments of various size small round artists painter brushes. Why? This will make painting or dabbing the corners far easier to paint then using the seafoam sponges for dabbing paint.Paint the corners 1st with the enclosed foam brush, then roll the black acrylic primer paint. Make sure it looks smooth & solid black.After you're done with painting the black primer then start the fans on a low speed to completely dry your countertops. It typically takes about 20 minutes to dry touch when using fans. No, I did not wait 24 hours or longer than 20 minutes.Remember, you'll be applying the paint in steps & not all at once to avoid any possible muddy looking effects.Now get out two paper plates , shake the brown paint can (Sandstone?) then pour a small amount of paint into a small plastic bowl with a lid for later use or touch-up.Now tear the sponge into sections as described in video. Then dab sponge into paint bowl then blot off on one of the paper plates, then start lightly applying to black countertop. Just lightly dab the complete counter top. Then use the small rounded artist paint brushes you bought elsewhere to dab the corners/seams with the brown paint. You may even lightly stroke the black corners completely with the brown paint.If you feel satisfied then immediately start the fans to completely dry the paint on low speed. Wait about 20 minutes or until paint dry's to touch.Note: About using the White paint. Use very little or none at all as the paint is designed to simply highlight the countertop! You should use the same or apply equal amounts of the Brown & Gold color with very little white or no white paint.Additionally, you can simply save the white paint & use it in combination with Martha Stewarts Acrylic Pearlescent white paint sold at Michael's to redo your bathroom countertop in White Diamond which looks absolutely stunning! However, you need to water/thin the paint down with up to 7% water.Now apply the Inca Gold just like you did with the brown, & dab &/or stroke the corners/seams with the small round artists paint brush. After you're done, turn on the fans again at low speed. Wait 20 minutes or so until try to touch.However, you may need to repeat the process for the brown & Inca Gold paint, if it does not look natural to you or from someone else's opinion you trust. Be patient & don't worry! You'll know when it looks natural or good to you. You may even need a break from it to get a different perspective- like I did.Once you have obtained the desired look, you'll then will be ready to apply two coats of topcoat to give your countertop a nice gloss look which also will protect it. This is the key to making it a long-lasting durable finish! You want to make sure you completely paint your countertop with two coats of topcoat.Apply one coat then when done with 1st coat turn on fan at low speed setting until dry to touch. Then repeat the process. You need to avoid putting any hot or heavy items on the countertop for at least 14 days to let the finish harden. This is also one of the tricks to a long-lasting finish.It's been about 6 months & there have been no problems with peeling or discoloration. Best of all, spills wipe up easily with a sponge--without leaving any stains behind.I'm really impressed with this unique system as it literally saved me thousands of dollars & produced visible results way beyond my expectations. I hope this review helped you. [...] Thanks & Good Luck!