As an alternative of paying $650 for Carrera marble and even over $200 for marble-look laminate, Ronda picked up a countertop from the ReStore and a few leftover paint and made her personal fake marble countertop for simply $30! Right here’s how:
DIY Fake Marble Counter tops
by Ronda of Batchelor’s Way
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Provides:
To create your individual fake marble counter tops, you’ll want:
- the countertop (we bought our 36″ deep, rounded edge countertop on the ReStore for $5!)
- white primer for shiny surfaces (I used Valspar Contractor Primers/Bonding Primer)
- grey paint (mine was leftover latex paint, however you could possibly use craft paint, too)
- white iridescent glitter (I purchased mine at Michael’s)
- sea sponge
- feather
- small stir sticks
- sponge paint brushes
- low cost bristle paint brush
- SuperGlaze or EnviroTex Lite
- disposable putty knives or a big spreader
- a drop cloth
- painter’s tape
- wooden filler (in case your countertop has a tiny gap or two like mine did)
- a radial noticed and/or jig noticed to chop the countertop to dimension (if it’s not already)
1. Lower Counters to Measurement
FIRST, in case your countertop isn’t already match to the area you’re placing it in, lower it to dimension. Ours was an odd L form, so my husband used a radial hand noticed and straight edge to chop the rectangle after which I used a jig noticed to chop out the arm on the finish. We scribed the “L” formed space to get a extremely shut match — crucial since nothing was actually sq..
Be aware: We’ve numerous questions asking when you might paint your already-installed counter tops in place — sure you possibly can! See extra concerning the ending course of in this glossy painted countertop tutorial, and read more tips for painting countertops here.
2. Restore Any Holes
Subsequent, fill in any holes or blemishes within the countertop so you’ve a pleasant floor to start out portray on. I simply used wooden filler (Dry Dex Spackling by DAP) and sanded it clean.
3. Prime the Countertop
Prime with a white primer for shiny surfaces. I used two coats. As soon as the primer is dry, frivolously sand the entire floor.
4. Paint the Fake Marble Look
Combine your paint. I simply used leftover paint to combine up three totally different colours of grey: a really darkish grey, a medium grey, and a lightweight grey. Now you can begin portray! I recommend portray a few pattern boards to get snug with the method and study what look you want.
Begin portray by dipping the ocean sponge into the lightest grey paint and dabbing it on to create the sunshine/darkish marble variations.
Add the marble veins by dipping the tip of the feather into the darker grey paints and dragging and wiggling it throughout the countertop. Often flip and push the feather (moderately than pulling it) to create pure wanting veins. Then frivolously dry brush the vein together with your low cost bristled brush to melt it.
Sponge over any of the veins with the lighter colours to melt the vein or create a sense of depth.
5. Step Again and Test Out Your Work
Stand again usually to have a look at the countertop and see the way it appears from a distance. You’ll want to place it underneath the lighting that it is going to be underneath — after I put it in place, I made a decision that mine was too darkish, so I used white paint and sponged over the entire thing. I even sponged out practically the entire center part with white paint since I felt that there have been too many related veining patterns. Sponging over areas really works to your benefit, because it makes the veins look deeper and extra pure. (That’s known as a contented accident.)
6. Glitter Time
To offer your counter tops a very exceptional fake marble end, you want glitter! Not giant items of glitter like I used to be initially picturing after I examine placing glitter on fake end counter tops (duh second!) — use a really superb glitter, the sort that appears like sand or mud. I used the white iridescent glitter from a Creatology model glitter pack from Michael’s.
It is best to mud the countertop with glitter whereas the paint continues to be moist, however I simply sponged white paint wherever I needed the glitter after which sprinkled it with superb iridescent white glitter. It actually does appear to be pure mineral deposits in your fake marble!
7. Sealing the Countertop
A lot of the fake granite/stone countertop tutorials I learn used a product known as EnviroTex Lite to seal their counter tops. You should purchase it at Interest Foyer or on-line. I didn’t need to drive to the opposite finish of the valley to Interest Foyer or pay transport to order on-line, so I seemed round a bit and located that I might get the same product at Dwelling Depot, which was a a lot shorter drive. It’s known as Tremendous Glaze, and it’s a two-part epoxy that pours on and is the equal of utilizing 60 coats of varnish. I purchased two packing containers ($25 every) primarily based on the knowledge on the package deal, however I solely ended up utilizing one (and had quite a bit left over) to cowl my counter of roughly 6 sq. toes.
8. Prep the Edges and Space
First, tape off the uncooked edges of your countertop. You don’t need any epoxy build-up on them or the countertop won’t match again into place.
Place a very good drop fabric beneath the venture to catch all of the runoff — the resin is not going to come off something it is available in contact with. Stage the counter; the Tremendous Glaze self-levels and also you’ll need it to unfold out evenly.
9. Combine the Epoxy
Subsequent comes the scary half: mixing the epoxy! Learn the instructions on the field and observe them very carefully. I combined half A and half B in a bucket and stirred for the required time, even having my sister time me so it was actual!
At this level, the combination appears yellow however it can unfold out and dry clear, so don’t panic!
Following the instructions, I poured the combination into one other bucket and stirred for the required time once more. Then, it’s able to pour!
10. Pour on the Epoxy
When you pour some epoxy on the counter tops, begin spreading it out. Something you employ to unfold it should be thrown away, so use one thing disposable. Greater spreading instruments will make it simpler! I used plastic putty knives I had available, however I want I had listened to my mom and picked up the $2 large disposable spreader on the retailer.
Easy out the combination as greatest you possibly can and let it run proper off the perimeters. It appears like glass. It can stage because it sits, and it’s a must to work shortly to get it unfold earlier than it begins to arrange.
You’ll want to test all the perimeters and so every little thing is roofed. (After mine dried, I discovered two tiny spots on the entrance edge that we missed, which I touched up with clear fingernail polish.)
Underneath the entrance edges, I used a sponge brush to catch the drips in order that they wouldn’t harden and create a bumpy edge. Do that a number of occasions throughout the first hour because it dries. You’ll additionally need to take away the tape across the uncooked edges of the counter — I eliminated mine inside the first hour after pouring the epoxy.
As soon as the floor is roofed, DON’T TOUCH IT! However do look carefully for air bubbles. Different tutorials that I learn used a blow torch or their very own breath to pop the bubbles. My torch wouldn’t mild so we simply blew on all of the air bubbles that we might discover — if I did it once more I’d strive the blow torch.
11. Permit It To Remedy
After you get all of the bubbles out, let it sit for 3 days to dry and treatment (based on the package deal instructions) after which you possibly can set up it. YAY!!
TOTAL COST
$5 countertop
$25 Tremendous Glaze
FREE Paint left over from different tasks
Grand Complete $30!!
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If this course of nonetheless makes you a little bit nervous, we’ve heard actually nice issues about this gray granite/marble contact paper that sticks on to counter tops. It’s imagined to be very straightforward to work with and appears very actual. It could be a fantastic answer for counter tops that don’t take an excessive amount of abuse and/or smaller DIY tasks like espresso tables, and so on.!
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Fake Marble Countertop Replace 1/11/16
Yael, certainly one of our readers, adopted this tutorial and despatched us this message:
“Hello! I simply needed to let you understand that I efficiently accomplished a pretend marble counter primarily based in your tutorial. I’m so happy with the outcomes!”
Wonderful job, Yael! It appears lovely! Thanks for sharing!
For extra particulars, go to her weblog at Jewish Latin Princess.
Lorene has been behind the scenes right here at Remodelaholic for greater than a decade! She believes that planning tasks and really finishing them are two totally different hobbies, however that does not cease her from planning at the very least a dozen tasks at any given time. She spends her free time creating reminiscences together with her husband and 5 youngsters, touring so far as she will afford, and partaking of books in any kind out there.
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