Faux granite is not only a great looking finish, but creating it is pure pleasure. But don't expect to get a smooth surface using this technique. If your project is a writing surface consider buying a piece of glass to cover the top . Here's how to do it:
Materials:
sandpaper
latex primer
base coat color - satin finish
2-3 granite speckle colors - satin finish (see color advice below)
drop cloth
safety glasses
several whisk brooms
several paint stir sticks
paper towels to blot polyurethane
Above materials are available from craft and hardware stores as well as home centers .
Steps:
- Decide what you want to paint in the granite look. Some possibilities might be a hollow core luan door (it could be used as a desktop), the top of a coffee or end table, a lamp base or a fireplace mantel.
- Begin by lightly sanding the surface with 220-grade sandpaper. After sanding, clean the surface with a tack cloth and prime.
- Using a roller or paintbrush, add a coat of latex primer. Let dry. Then apply one or two coats of your base color.
- Work outdoors if possible. If inside, cover everything in sight, including your clothes, before you begin the speckling technique. Eye goggles are recommended for this process.
- To create the speckled granite look, dip the tips of the bristles of the whiskbroom in paint (figure B). Using a paint stir stick, flick the wet paint onto the surface by pulling the paint stick toward you along the bristles of the broom. Practice this method before beginning the project--it takes some time to learn how to aim the whiskbroom and how much paint to use.
- To get an even speckled look over the entire surface, use more of your first color than the others. Add subsequent colors, but stop before the entire base coat disappears !
- Protect the surface and add a beautiful shine to your granite by applying several coats of polyurethane. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Color Advice
- Faux granite is the result of thousands of tiny specks of paint splattered on a base color, so make sure the base coat is a good shade for your room.
- Most granite is in the gray family, so a black or gray background with color variations of gray or blues, some greens and light pastels work nicely. If your finish gets too light, add a layer of dark speckles and vice versa.
- Start your granite technique with the darkest colors first. It's easier to adjust your depth of color that way.
