Yes, it is possible to paint granite countertops.
When painting the granite in your home you will need a smooth surface, so make sure you rough up the area before moving onto the next step.
You will also want to use a primer and sealant in order to remove even any microscopic flaws from the surface of your counters or fireplace surround. You can find more information on primers and sealants here.
The Prep
To prep your countertops or fireplace surround to paint, you will need to sand the area, make sure you are using a high-quality builder’s sandpaper.
The type of sandpaper that you use is important because it will determine how well your countertop or surround granite paint job holds up and also what color scheme you can choose for your new countertops or surround.
For an exterior application, you can use a lower grade of sandpaper, but for an interior application, it is important to make sure you are using the right quality.
Priming
You will want to apply a primer to the countertop or surround before you paint.
The reason that you will want to install a primer is that it helps fill in the holes and cracks in your granite and also creates a smooth surface which will hopefully prevent the paint from chipping off or peeling.
You can find a lot of different kinds of primers, but what you choose is up to you as long as it does not have silicone or acrylic in it.
Regardless of which primer you use make sure that the area is completely dry before applying your protective finish. You may want to apply a second coat of primer after the first one has dried.
You need to allow 24 hours for your primer to dry completely before moving onto the next step.
The Sandpaper
For your project, you want to use 220-240 grit sandpaper because it will give you good results that will last over time. Also do not forget to clean your granite before painting it, you need to remove any dust and dirt from your granite.
If you are painting the surround of your fireplace, you want to try to get into all the crevices because it will still be visible even after the paint job is done.
The Sealer
Once your granite has been prepped, you will want to seal it to protect it.
The granite will be able to take paint, but if you do not seal the granite first you could run into problems down the road with mold and mildew because moisture is drawn into the cracks of your granite from humidity in the air.
The sealer that you use for this job needs to have a good drying time because this will make sure the paint job lasts longer.
You can use any of the products you would use for a countertop and they will work well. But, if you are looking to save time and money, then using a granite sealer is your answer.
Painting
Once your granite is prepped and sealed, you want to start painting it. For the paint that you use, you want to select an oil-based primer with a satin finish and then use semi-gloss paint over the primer.
If your painted granite is going to be used for an interior application, make sure the paint you chose has good adhesion characteristics.
The clean-up of the paint job is easy because the primer and paint are all oil-based.
Once you have finished painting your granite, make sure you let it dry for at least 24 hours before using it or putting items back onto your counters.
Before placing items onto your countertops, make sure to check for any loose paint that may have fallen onto your counters when you were painting.
Make sure to seal your granite before using it and make sure you are not placing any items that may scratch the surface of the granite.
Take Your Time
You will definitely want to take your time when painting the granite in your home or business. The countertops or surrounds in your house are most likely a focal point and will be one of the first things that people notice when they walk into your home, so you want to make sure it looks good.
If you take your time with the preparation work, painting process, and clean up then the granite will look great for years and will hold up well when you are done.
Making sure that you are doing all of the work yourself will save you money because then there is no need for hiring a professional to do it for you. You can find everything you need at the local hardware store and they have a wide selection available.
What kind of paint can you use on granite?
There are many kinds of paints that can be used on granite. You can find most of them at your local hardware store and if you want to use something different than what they have then you can also find it online or at a specialty paint store.
You want to make sure the finish is right before putting any type of paint on your granite. Many types of paints can scratch easily, so if you are planning on placing anything on your counters then the paint may need a low gloss finish.
If you are planning to have granite in your kitchen then there is nothing better than using an oil-based primer and paint because it will give you what you want right out of the gate. To seal it, you will want to put on two coats of satin sealer.
This type of paint and primer combination is made for granite and will give you superior results for years. This is the best way to go if you are looking to go the extra mile for your home or business.
If this is not an option then you can always use a latex paint which is a much cheaper option. But, you want to make sure that you get the right kind of latex paint for your granite countertop so it will look good and last.
Using latex paint on your granite counters is fine if you are planning to keep things simple with what you place on the countertops. You will want to make sure that you use a low gloss paint and primer combination and then put on 2 coats of semi-gloss over the primer.
Once it is all done, you will have great-looking granite countertops for years to come.
If you are planning on using your granite counters in the kitchen then go with an oil-based paint and primer combination. This is the best way to go if you are planning on using granite as your main countertops.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve shared some of the best tips and tricks for painting your own granite countertops. Painting a surface like granite can be daunting because it’s so slippery with all that water-based sealer on it! But we hope the information here has made your project a little easier.
