I all the time needed to strive a kind of fake marble DIY kits, particularly after giving my kitchen a (budget-friendly) makeover and including a fake tile backsplash.
So, I bought my fake marble countertop equipment and put aside a two-day window of time to work on it.
On this publish, I’ll share all the things it’s good to paint your personal countertop, suggestions for portray the marble, and an inventory of professionals and cons for this venture. Spoiler alert: I’m so pleased with the outcomes!
However first, let’s speak concerning the earlier than and after actual fast. These are unfiltered, unedited telephone pics.
After I moved into my residence, the island counter was one of many fundamental issues that stood out to me as “not my fashion.” Nonetheless, with a kitchen transform a couple of years off, it didn’t make sense to pay for a brand new counter that we wouldn’t even hold within the ultimate design.
After our first Christmas in the home, my thoughts started to wander again to DIY options. Was there something I might try this was cheap, however might additionally maintain as much as our household’s site visitors?
This can be a high-traffic counter—our youngsters sit right here to eat a number of occasions day-after-day.
Anyway, I lastly caved and purchased this fake marble countertop equipment and it was the PERFECT resolution I used to be in search of. I like the way it appears now—it makes me smile each time we stroll into the room. It’s straightforward to scrub as effectively. I’m so joyful I attempted it!
I promise to be brutally sincere as a result of although I like my outcomes, I do know this isn’t essentially a sensible choice for all houses.
DIY Marble Countertop Ideas:
Lots of people have requested me if it’s good to be creative or an excellent painter to do that. I don’t assume so. I might say that it’s good to be affected person and detail-oriented, however it’s higher in the event you aren’t a perfectionist.
Since I’m not a perfectionist (and I’m truthfully not that good of a painter both), I had a lot enjoyable simply getting messy and making an attempt to emulate the look of actual marble from photographs I had saved.
I used to be stunned how FUN this was. In all my DIY years, this was in all probability my favourite DIY I’ve EVER achieved. I had a lot enjoyable doing it and I used to be stunned by how straightforward it was.
I spent about three hours doing all of the marbling for my counters. By the top, I used to be beginning to assume they seemed actually unhealthy. Then, I stepped away for an hour and once I got here again I used to be pleased with them once more! So in the event you begin to really feel annoyed, I counsel taking a fast break.
Earlier than beginning my counter, I watched this 18-minute YouTube video. It’s made by the makers of the equipment and it’s very detailed on all of the steps. Watching the total video is important earlier than you start.
It’s going to in all probability clear up any questions you have got. We adopted their directions. Along with the equipment, the one provides we would have liked had been a pair of tweezers and painter’s tape.
How Do You Make the Marble Look Actual?
Crucial tip I’ve for making the marble look actual is to avoid wasting photographs of actual marble you like and attempt to copy the look as you paint.
That was useful for me to attempt to get an excellent degree of imperfection. If I wouldn’t have stored trying on the photographs of actual marble, it will have seemed extra pretend.
One factor I did in a different way from the video is that I discovered it simpler to do the perimeters as I went alongside. I believe protecting your edges coherent so every vein appears seamless is essential. If in case you have a backsplash ledge, I might comply with this recommendation there as effectively.
Ideas:
- If you’re nervous, go for decrease distinction. It’s simpler to get a decrease distinction marble to look actual than a excessive distinction.
- Don’t be afraid to mess up—it’s really easy to wipe a bit off and begin over anytime it’s good to.
- For those who go too darkish you possibly can lighten them later by mixing in slightly extra white paint.
- You don’t have to purchase the equipment to apply and see in the event you take pleasure in (or can do) the fake portray. Simply strive it out on a chunk of white foam board with some paint and brush (watch the video above and attempt to do the approach).
I didn’t assume to do this prematurely, however the worry that I wouldn’t be good on the fake portray was a HUGE impediment for me. So there’s a low danger solution to strive it out!
Are you able to place sizzling pans on the floor with out a pad?
No. This was one of the crucial requested questions! I by no means put sizzling pots on any of my counters with out no less than a potholder, so I used to be stunned. If that’s one thing you love to do, I might not suggest these counters for you.
Is it straightforward to scrub?
Sure. It’s a shiny, shiny end and simple to wipe and clear.
Are you able to begin with any sort of counter? Does it have to be granite?
It doesn’t have to be granite. In my view, it’s extra ultimate to do it on a laminate floor as a result of then it’s a 100% improve.
There’s a legitimate debate as to whether doing it over granite is making it much less useful (I might say that it does devalue it some), however within the case of our home since we didn’t just like the granite and had been planning to switch it anyway that wasn’t an element for me.
In line with the Giani web site, you should utilize this on just about any sort counter—vinyl, wooden and several types of actual and faux stone.
Did the epoxy odor actually robust?
No. I used to be pleasantly stunned. The primer coat of paint might be the strongest odor and it’s on par with common wall paint. We had a screened window open the entire two days and there was no noticeable odor in any respect, which was AWESOME. The epoxy didn’t odor.
Would you do that on counter you’re protecting long run?
If you’re overlaying over a laminate counter in poor situation, I might say sure! If you’re overlaying over granite like I did, I might pause and actually take into account whether or not it’s price it to you. The floor will not be heat-resistant (like granite is).
In a low site visitors area, I believe YES, for certain. However no kitchen is actually low site visitors.
Did you make any errors? If that’s the case, how did you repair?
Sure. As I used to be portray, my brush was shedding little hairs and once I picked them off it made scratches (use tweezers as an alternative!). Till the epoxy is on, the painted floor may be very delicate. To repair it, I simply dotted extra paint on it earlier than it was sealed.
The opposite mistake we made was that there have been a couple of small holes within the epoxy end across the seams. So on one other day we poured a TINY quantity extra on, simply sufficient to fill in these holes.
We had a number of provides leftover (about half the paint and epoxy). So we’re saving these in case we have to make repairs later.
How does the floor really feel?
Shiny and slick. Think about a counter or desk and a bar or restaurant, a number of occasions these tables have an epoxy end. It’s much like that, though not as thick.
Did you really do that by your self? Can it’s a one particular person job?
Collin and I tag teamed—he did the bottom coat and the epoxy, I did the fake marbling. All of the steps had been straightforward and both of us might have simply achieved the entire venture alone!
Did it flip yellow?
The principle cause I needed to make use of a equipment relatively than supply all of the provides from somebody’s DIY listing was to keep away from the chance of yellowing. Ours has no yellow coloration in any respect.
Is it food-safe?
No. You might be really useful to make use of a reducing board, plates, and many others. It’s additionally not secure to chop on this with out a reducing board (you would possibly scratch it up).
Do you must take away the sink or are you able to go round it?
No, you simply tape all the things off and go round it.
Did the epoxy drip all over the place?
It dripped slightly bit (it was all caught within the supplied tarps), however little or no as a result of we adopted the video’s pointers. You paint the perimeters with a brush, so you’re solely pouring it into the middle of the counter.
Does it look higher in photographs or actual life?
There are such a lot of issues that look higher in photographs, however this isn’t one. It appears the identical in particular person! 🙂
Professionals and Cons of This Mission:
Professionals:
- It’s reasonably priced. For underneath $200, you possibly can full this counter venture.
- It takes 2-3 days to finish this venture, and it makes an enormous distinction in a room.
- It was a lot enjoyable! One in every of my favourite DIYs I’ve ever achieved!
- It’s straightforward. On the spectrum of counter DIYs (for instance, this concrete countertop), I might say that is very straightforward.
Cons:
- Fake portray is horrifying for many individuals.
- You can’t set sizzling pots on this floor. Use a trivet as an alternative.
- You can’t lower greens on this floor and you shouldn’t serve meals immediately on it. Use a reducing board, plates, and many others.
Who Ought to Do This Countertop DIY?
- Anybody who desires marble counters however finds them inaccessible for funds causes.
- Anybody who has vinyl counter tops in poor situation.
- Anybody planning to rework in a couple of years or in search of a simple phase-one makeover to like your area extra within the meantime.
I hope this publish was useful! For those who’ve achieved with venture, I’d love to listen to about your experiences! xx- Elsie
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