I am so excited to share with you one of my latest projects! Remember this post from a couple months ago when I asked you what color I should paint my countertops? Well we finally painted them and I am super excited to show you the results! This is a long post {lots of pictures} but there’s a giveaway at the end!!!
I contacted Giani and they agreed to let me do a product review. I chose the Bombay Black Kitbecause I knew I wanted a shade of gray or black for my counters.
After receiving my kit I got super nervous. I watched the online video, and the DVD that came with my kit, countless times to make sure I knew exactly what I was going to do. Let me just start by telling you that I am NOT creative when it comes to this sort of thing. I am not artistic in any sort of way, in fact I think Malea can paint better than I can! I was pretty much terrified that I was really going to mess up our counters. So when the weekend arrived that Matt and I had scheduled for painting the countertops I watched all the videos again and gave myself a little pep talk. What’s the worse that could happen, I already hated my counters, at least after painting them they’d be a color I liked.
Later that night, after we put Malea down, Matt and I painted on the primer. He painted all the corners and edges with the included foam brush and I rolled on the primer with the included roller.
The process was quick and easy and we finished in less than an hour, giving us enough time to still watch our shows and enjoy a glass of wine. :)
I thought for sure this part of the process would take me forever so I kept a close eye on the time for this review. I started sponging the color onto the counters at exactly 9:05am. Once I started dabbing the color on I quickly got the hang of it and started really enjoying the process.
{Here’s a picture of one of the counters after applying the first mineral color, and before adding the second color}
I kept stepping back to look at the counters and I found myself getting more and more giddy with excitement. I kept saying to myself, “man that looks good!” and “who knew I could make it look that good!?”.
After only one hour and five minutes I was completely done sponging on the color! That includes touch ups, going back and adding color in places, etc. Done. Completely done in 1hr 5min!!! Amazing! I thought for sure it would take me hours to get the color and design that I wanted!
{The first counter area I painted.}
{Same counter after going back and adding more of the black mineral paint.}
The counters before adding the Top Coat.
{Just look at how reflective it is! I love it!}
{You can see the slight texture in this photo.}
I was hoping that after sanding and applying the final layer of Top Coat that the counters would be smooth like granite. They look amazing and the color totally looks like granite but when the light reflects off of them you can tell that it’s not smooth like granite. Honestly I don’t even know if anyone else will notice, it’s just a personal observation.
It’s spectacular!
About Anna
I like the way this looks, but I can’t find the colors that I would like to have, plua my counter is very small.
There are about 4 colors in each kit so you could mix them to make any color you want. It’s a great, inexpensive way to update your kitchen. :)
Anna
WOW! What a genius product! We just bought our first home and while the kitchen has nice updated granite countertops, the bathrooms have laminate that I would love to update to granite or marble. It’s just not in the budget right now. For sure going to research more on this product to see if it would work for us. I really enjoyed your post & blog!
Awesome, thanks Janet. I have been really happy with the Giani Granite product. I feel that it’s held up well and I love the way it looks!
Anna
I used Giani Granite a little over a year ago……I was impressed at first, but not anymore. Even though we have tried our best to go easy on them, it’s a bit difficult with 4 children in the house. A year later they are chipping. In some areas the pain has come off completely. Granted 95% of the pain is still intact, but you have to be so ginger with them that I’m not so sure it was worth the cost. Maybe yours will hold up better than mine.
What a bummer! I’m sorry to hear that. :(
Anna
Hi Nicole,
We’re considering using this product. Have you touched up the paint that is chipping? If so, do you think it looks ok? And have you had to be seriously careful the entire year to not ruin the countertop? I appreciate any input. I’m on the fence right now.
Lindsay,
I am sorry to hear that you are having a problem. I will be more than happy to send you any product you need to make the necessary repairs. We pride ourselves on our customer service so don’t hesitate to call us. 800-650-5699.
I love the look of your new kitchen! How does the counter top stand up to daily use and cleaning? Any problems with chipping or peeling?
Thank you! I love it too. :) I haven’t had any problems with the counters but I’ve accidentally scratched it a few times with a sponge, while I was cleaning the sink. Luckily there was lots of paint left over so I’ve been able to touch it up. We’ve had in our kitchen for a while now and I would still totally recommend it!
When can you start putting things back on your countertop…the dvd says it cures in 14 days but it also says you can use your countertop as soon as the topcoat dries. so im a little confused.
I waited a week before leaving anything on it for more than a few minutes. After 14 days was when I started adding my normal decorations back to the counter.
You can use your countertops the very next day but we recommend not placing your microwave or stand up mixers on it until it is completely cured which takes 14 days.
Love your counters. Now that you have had them for a while. How duralble are they. Do they stand up to normal use? My kids are pretty rough on things
I love the counters. For our family they are durable enough but we aren’t very “rough” on our stuff. I would recommend this kit to you but I’d suggest talking to the folks at Lowe’s to see if there’s a more durable hard surface, gloss-type product that you could put over the top to make sure the paint won’t get scratched or chipped. The top coat of this kit isn’t very thick so I think you’d get some scratches if you didn’t add an extra layer of something on top. I hope that answer helps. :)
We are looking into buying a new house and many don’t have very pretty counter tops, so I am very happy to find your blog and see the transformation. Very nice! I also love your wall paint color…what color is that and where did you get it from? Thanks!
Thank you Cindy. Here is a post where I have all my paint colors listed: http://askannamoseley.com/2012/04/how-i-organize-paint-cans/. The kitchen color is at the top of the bunch. I love the color, it’s very bright and refreshing, every morning it makes me happy. :)
I luv your kitchen. I have oak cabinets that were installed 14 years ago and still look great. The white formica countertops are stained and yellowed in places and I need a new vinyl floor as well. I need help in choosing them because I can’t find pictures anywhere that are not changing the oak.Hubby doesn’t want me to paint counters but replace and that is expensive. I am afraid it will look too busy when I am done. Ahhh, please help. I have stripped old wallpaper and painted pale yellow/neutral color. There is also oak woodwork.
How well does it hold up??
It’s holding up really well! The only place I have noticed it chipping away is right in front of the sink. My belt always rubs against the counter right there so I think if I were more careful I wouldn’t have the chipping problem. Luckily I have enough of the product left over that I could easily touch it up, I just haven’t yet. :) I would recommend the product, it’s an easy and super inexpensive way to redo counters!
They look great. Your countertops look like they have a texture to them. Do they? I want to do mine but they have a texture and Im not sure it will work on them.
Yes, the original cheap counters had a texture to them. At first it bothered me that you could still kind of see the texture but honestly I don’t even notice it anymore. I love the way it turned out and I still can’t believe how easy it was! :)
I love tihs stuff! I did it to my kitchen and I just cannot believe it. However my dad came over today and was like “wow, I can’t believe that is just paint.” I would like to redo mine (add in some more black onto what is already done) but im unsure of what will happen. I also want to buy some for my bathroom but I wish it came with a smaller kit! LOVE IT!
Hi Anna,
Great article. I wanted you to know that I am linking to your page to show to my readers at http://www.doityourselfRV.com. Its a site for RV enthusiasts but this product certainly does wonders for the interior of an RV.
Thanks,
Link to page: http://www.doityourselfrv.com/giani-granite-paint-kit-rv-countertops-how-to/
Awesome! Thank you for letting me know. :)
Hi Anna,
Thanks for the great review. I am planning to apply this product on my counter-tops as well. I was wondering how is it holding up after a year ?
Thanks,
Irfan
I absolutely love the way our counters look and I would totally do it again. That being said I do have a couple scratches that need to be touched up, but I have plenty of product left over, it’s just a matter of doing it.
We just refinished our kitchen countertop with the bombay black kit. It looks awesome! I’m wondering if a 2 part covering like used on a bar top would be a great add on.