DIY Marble Countertops

My beautiful new countertops…Epoxy right over my old granite!

Looking For DIY Marble Options To Replace Dated Granite Countertops

We have lived in our condo for over two years and I tried and tried to love my dated granite…I never felt the love! I wanted to replace them with Quartz that looked like marble but that was way too expensive. Because I hated the countertops so much, I painted the cabinets twice trying to make myself love them. While this was lots of work it was definitely cheaper than replacing the countertops. After painting the cabinets I still could not love them! I couldn’t even like them! Could you? (photo below) At this point I set out to find something I could use to make DIY Marble over granite.

Finding An Affordable Option For DIY Marble Countertops

I researched and researched and finally came across some videos of a product called epoxy coating that can basically transform any countertop surface. They show many videos about DIY marble countertops. As a DIY girl, I was all in but it took some time for me to launch! I knew I wanted mine to look like marble but the technique looked a little difficult.

Failure To Launch

After watching many videos and reading reviews about DIY marble countertops, I knew this is what I wanted to do…someday! It took me one full year of watching and rewatching videos to finally get the courage to try this. I mostly concentrated on videos that showed DIY Marble countertops over granite. I explored several companies that make the product and I finally made a decision to us the one that gave the most information and instructions for a DIY girl. I also knew that if I was successful with my own countertops, I would add this option for my clients in my interior design business here in FL.

DIY…???

In my personal opinion, this is not a DIY project for everyone. It is certainly not something you just do on a whim. Now, saying that, yes, anyone can apply the epoxy and get a good result, but the technique for DIY marble, in my opinion, takes a lot of research and practice. As long as you are willing to research technique, practice and know what real slabs of marble look like…GO FOR IT!!!!!! In my research I found excellent results from DIY’s and some that were just ok and well, some that just should have hired someone.

How I Used Epoxy Over Granite

This is not a detailed tutorial for DIY marble countertops…I highly recommend you use the company product tutorials. I used a product called Stonecoat Countertops. http://stonecoatcountertops.com They have many different techniques and videos. They also offered the most information and instruction for a DIY person without attending a class. This tutorial is just for the process…it would be impossible to explain how to make veins and the look of marble with spray paint. Please go and watch the videos if you plan to try this! There are different steps for covering different surfaces…this is how I covered my granite.

Step By Step

I will link the products and colors I used for my countertops. I did have trouble navigating the Stonecoat Countertop website and Youtube videos to find exactly what I needed to use and in what order. But the company responded quickly to my emails with questions. But all the answers are there…you just have to search.

Step 1

Clean countertops with a degreaser thoroughly especially around your stove top or cooking area. Finish cleaning with Windex or glass cleaner. Prep the area for protection. I covered my floors, cabinets, sink and side walls. I used plastic for the cabinets but a drop cloth for the floors. The product is sticky and if you step on plastic it will pull. If you have an under-mount sink, I would remove it. I did not because I was alone and could not do it myself. I was very careful around the sink but still had a little product drip.

Step 2

After countertop is completely dry from cleaning, use a sander with 60 grit and rough up your surface. Remove dust with dry paper towel.

Step 3

Using a foam roller, paint on a priming bonder…This is the brand they recommend and I would not suggest using another brand. They suggest keeping it a thin layer…I did two coats just because I could still see the granite underneath…realized after second coat…did not matter because you could still see it. So I suggest one thin coat as do they.

Step 4

After primer/bonder is dry…about 6 hours, apply a coat of paint and primer in one. (This is where I had trouble finding exactly what type paint and the finish of the paint) I used Valspar Satin/Interior Paint+Primer in the color Perfect White. I wanted my marble to be white underneath. Stonecoat uses Behr paint in a light gray. Mine came from Lowe’s right from the counter. I used two coats of paint and primer in one with a clean foam roller. I no longer saw the granite underneath and was so excited just to see white! It already looked a million times better! I did the first coat and waited 2 hours and then applied the second coat. After the second coat allow to dry for 24 hours.

Step 5

After your paint and primer in one have dried you will now fog your countertops with spray paint. I used a silver spray paint to fog the countertops. Most veins run in the same directions so I just started and followed until it looked like I wanted it. Fogging is standing at a distance and just quickly moving the paint in a line. Make sure you fog the backsplash. You will need to watch some videos for the process for backsplashes which is a little more difficult. Here is a link for a video I watched. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlzhgbx816Y&t=936s

Step 6

Now it is time for your first flood coat. https://youtu.be/-fJY69ZJSgg I have included links to videos I watched for mixing product, chopping technique and creating veins. I never used more than 2 1/2 quarts at a time. You have 45 minutes to work with the product. When you finish a section you mix your next batch and it levels in with the previous. There are no seams or any detection that they were not done together. I dyed my flood coat white which will lighten the fogged veins. You will need chop brushes, paint sticks, spray paints, mica powders, 91% isopropyl alcohol, spray bottles and a blow torch to make your veins. There is a process called chopping the product that you will need to learn as well. https://youtu.be/Ll3fH_b2I1Y Again, I studied this technique for a long time before I tried it. Practice before you try on your countertops. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OemDzv6x8o&t=38s

Step 7

After the first coat has set for 24 hours you can now add you clear flood coat. This will hide any imperfections such as thin spots from your alcohol sprays. The technique is the same, just no dye in the product and just pouring and chopping. At this point you will be finished unless you chose to hone them. I prefer the honed look vs the shine. It takes a full 30 days for the product to cure and at that point you can use just as you would granite.

Amazing Transformation

I can’t believe the transformation of my kitchen from this product. The results have made me so happy! And the fact that I am so happy with them, I have added this product to my business. However, if you are not a DIY person, I highly recommend you find someone in your area that does this professionally. Most companies charge by the square footage of the countertops as I do. If you have any questions, please post and I will answer as soon as possible. Your best source is to go to https://www.stonecoatcountertops.com. They are a great company and very helpful.