Ready to transform your countertop into a marble masterpiece on a budget? This DIY Faux Marble Countertop is just what you are looking for! You will be able to have the marble countertop you have always wanted, but at a much more affordable cost! Let me show you how in this faux marble countertop DIY project. For more DIY projects, be sure you get all our latest updates on Instagram @howwedo208!
Faux Marble Countertop
I have always wanted to change out the countertop in my kids’ bathroom. It has always been dark, not super appealing, it feels outdated, and it limits how I can decorate. I had always wanted to replace it with a marble countertop but could not justify the price. That is when I found the Giani Marble Expoxy Countertop Paint kit and thought it would be a great DIY project to create my own Faux Marble countertop. Let me tell you, it was pretty easy to do and turned out great! And it was such a FUN DIY project. A year later, it still looks like we just did it!
You can easily do this DIY faux marble countertop project too! For all the details on this kids’ bathroom makeover, be sure to check out my DIY Kids’ Hawaii Bathroom Makeover post for all the details!
The great thing about using the kit I mentioned is it comes with everything you need. You just need a few other supplies, and you can get started in no time.
Supplies Needed for Painting Faux Marble Countertops
- White Marble Epoxy Countertop Paint Kit from Giani
- Painters tape
- Sander
- 600 grit sandpaper
- Sanding Block
- Painters Plastic and tarp
The great thing about the Giani Marble Epoxy countertop paint kit is that you can use it on any surface; they have great instructions and tutorial videos you can watch.
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How to Transform Your Countertop into a Faux Marble Countertop
- The first thing you want to do is prep the area. Clean the countertop and sand it well. You will then want to tape the wall, cabinet, sink, and floor to protect it. I used painter’s plastic and tarps to protect the cabinets and the floor.
- Once your area is prepped and ready, it is time to prime. The kit comes with the primer, foam roller, and foam brush you need for this project. You want to make sure you get all the areas with the primer.
- Wait 4 hours and apply another coat of primer. Don’t forget to store your wet used paintbrush in a plastic bag in the fridge between coats. This will prevent you from washing them in between every coat of primer.
- Depending on how dark your existing countertop is will determine how many coats of primer you need to use. I thought I would be okay with three but needed to paint four coats of primer.
- Be sure to check for spots seeping through the white and touch those up as you see them before you do the veining.
- Next, you need to decide on how much veining you want. I wanted a very subtle look with a little texture and visual interest.
How to Paint Veins on Countertop
- The first step in painting the vein is to take your brush and dip it in a little bit of paint (You can always add more) and hold it loosely and move it across the surface. You don’t want it to be perfect, and it should look natural and organic.
- If you don’t like it, grab a wet rag and wipe it off when the paint is still wet and start again.
- Once you make your vein while your paint is still wet, grab your spray bottle and spray water over the top of your veins, then take the larger brush and start to feather the veins as much as you want. Clean it up with a paper towel if necessary. You can even lighten up the lines with the paper towel as well.
- After the top of your countertop is complete, you can continue onto the edges of your countertop (and the backsplash if applicable).
- Large veins are called major veins. I really loved the Y veins. Even with how subtly I did mine, when I step back, I can see it, which is exactly what I was going for.
- There are all kinds of veins that you can do, and it is the key to faux marble countertops, so do your research and decide what types of veins you love.
- An optional step you can do is to dab white highlight paint with the sponge provided. It gives it a little bit more added depth. At first, I wasn’t sure if I would do it, but I am so glad I did.
- The last step of the countertop is epoxy. You need to plan at least 4 hours to do this, and it is time sensitive and requires specific and precise steps.
How to Epoxy the Countertop
- First, you want to prep the area by lightly sanding any rough spots with 600-grit sandpaper.
- Wipe down the countertop and then tape the walls and the cabinets.
- When ready, dump the Expoy Activator into the resin and mix for exactly 3 minutes and 15 seconds. Then you will pour the epoxy on the countertop right away. You have about 30 minutes to get everything completely coated before the epoxy stops flowing.
- When pouring the epoxy on, be sure to start with the center sections and then move out to the perimeters.
- You will want to use the brush around the perimeter of the countertop and the sink. Then use the foam roller for the rest. You must work quickly to ensure everything is covered before the epoxy sets. The good thing about using epoxy is that it self-levels, and you don’t have to worry about brush lines.
- When using the foam roller, use light pressure. I rolled from the back of the countertop to the front, that way any excess epoxy I used for the edges of the countertop.
- Epoxy the edges last.
- Once you’re done epoxying the countertop and edge, take a clean pair of tweezers to remove any lint or air bubbles. A heat gun also works great for removing air bubbles, but I didn’t have one. You have about 1 hour to complete this, and then you have to leave it alone.
- If you see bubbles on the underneath edge of the countertop, you can carefully wipe them up without touching the exposed edge.
- The countertop will then begin to cure for several hours, but you can carefully remove the plastic.
Tips and FAQs for Painting a Faux Marble Countertop
- Read the instructions and be familiar with the process ahead of time. Once you get to the epoxy step you have limited time to work with.
- Prime the countertop with as many coats as needed. Be sure to wait at least 4 hours in between coats of primer.
- You want to loosely hold your paintbrush to give it a nice natural look while painting your veins.
- If you make a mistake, have a wet rag on hand to wipe them away.
- Use a clean paper towel to clear up any areas you want to clean up after you do your feathering.
- If you decide you don’t love a vein after it dries, you can lightly sand it down and then use a little primer to cover it up and start again.
- When it is time to epoxy, you want to cover the cabinets and the floor with plastic because the epoxy will run off the countertop.
- Make sure any windows and air vents are closed so you don’t have dust particles moving through the air that might stick on the epoxy.
- Allow the epoxy to fully cure before touching the countertop.
Can you do the white countertop with epoxy without the marbling?
Yes, you can. If you go that route, you will just need primer, paint, and epoxy.
How many square feet does the kit cover?
It covers 35 square feet. There are three cans of epoxy, so you can do multiple projects that you don’t have to do all at once. One batch covers a 6’ x 2’ area. There you have it! How to do your very own DIY Faux Marble Countertops for your bathrooms! If you love video tutorials, you can watch them here in my marble countertop tutorial! Be sure to tag me on Instagram in your finished projects so I can see how amazing they are! #howwedoandyoucantoo
