Granite, marble and quartz are the top countertops and big winners when buying a new home. Although they are easy to clean and maintain, beautiful in appearance, and able to withstand any utensils, appliances, and tough love you and your lover bring to the kitchen, there is one problem: high-quality counters bring high-quality pricing. If you are considering refurbishing your counter to make your kitchen shine like a brand new home, then you need to spend between US$2,000 and US$4,000 to complete the job. Unless you have been saving money for the restoration project, $4,000 may be a lot of money for the place where your coffee machine will live.

But did you know that you can have countertops that look exactly like granite, marble or quartz for less than $100? Of course, this may take some time and effort, but after about a weekend of work, you can have beautiful artificial granite, marble or quartz countertops without breaking the bank.

This is what you need:

Step 1: Remove all items on the counter, including all small appliances, food and silicone caulk.

Step 2: Thoroughly scrub your countertop with a Brillo pad to remove all grease, wax, dirt and oil. Avoid using any harsh cleaners, as this will prevent your new surface from adhering properly. Rinse Brillo soap at least 3 times with clean water to ensure that all soap disappears from the counter.

Step 3: Prepare your area. Put a layer of paint tape on the back of the counter, any walls beside the counter, and any cabinets that touch the counter. In addition, carefully put painter's tape around the sink to avoid accidentally applying paint. Cover any areas where paint may fall off with plastic sheeting, then pull out the stove and cover with plastic.

Step 4: Apply black primer on a clean counter. Use rollers designed for smooth surfaces. Apply evenly, in a thin layer, applying small portions at a time. Use a sponge brush to apply primer to the corners and backsplash. If necessary, apply two coats, but wait at least two to three hours between coats. Once your counters are completely primed, let them dry completely for at least six hours.

Step 5: Apply mineral pigments.

For granite: Spread the sponge completely and randomly over pearl white or beige.

It should look like this:

Then, apply other colors (metallic brown, gold, and other colors) in a similar manner. You can also use a fine brush to add texture to your color scheme. On your veins, apply more white and dark colors with a sponge to get a more realistic look.

For quartz: As for granite finishes, wipe the white thoroughly with a sponge. After finishing the white, return to the acrylic color similar to the primer color. For example, if you use a black primer, use acrylic black and use a sponge of that color on the entire counter, allowing only a small amount of pearl white to pass through. Avoid adding too many colors, because quartz counters usually don't have busy finishes. After that, go back and apply more primer with a sponge to increase the depth.

Add random silver or gold acrylic paint dots throughout the design for a more realistic look.

For marble: Spread the sponge thoroughly on your white limestone. You should have very little black undertones showing up. Sponge on Inca gold and pearl mica. Then, sand your finish with 600 grit sandpaper. After sanding, wipe the surface with a damp cloth and let it dry completely. Go back and use the artist's brush to add long, dark veins. Cover your veins with more white sponge. If necessary, sand again to ensure a smooth surface.

Step 5b: Coat the metal flakes on the granite and quartz coating. You can get metal flakes quickly and easily at any craft store, or use Amazon to buy metal flakes online for about $10. Doing so can add depth and luster, and make your countertop look like a beautiful natural stone.

Step 6: Apply surface coating. It is important to note that this step is the most challenging part of the entire method because it is difficult to successfully apply the topcoat evenly without leaving streaks. We recommend using a roller or sponge applicator for a smooth, uniform surface. We also recommend that you work quickly to avoid repeated rollbacks in the same area. If you over-brush or over-roll, you can almost guarantee that you will have a lot of streaks or bubbles. If needed, you can use 600 grit sandpaper to sand between coats. Add a three-layer paint, and then pause for at least two to four hours before starting to apply the next layer. In addition, if you make a mistake in the topcoat application, you can sand it off at any time and start from scratch. 

Step 7: Remove the painter's tape and start the cleaning process. Use a magic eraser to wipe off the paint splattered on the wall. However, wait until your counter is completely dry (this usually takes about 24 hours) before removing the painter's tape. Use an Exacto knife and trim along the side of the tape so that you don’t accidentally remove the finish when you remove the tape. Patch any caulk or grout, and your countertop is complete. You can use your counters carefully if needed, but they will not completely cure in a few weeks. Make sure to clean up any spilled liquid immediately, and gently dispose of the counter during the first few weeks.

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