How to Make Laminate Countertops Look Like Granite

Pick out a photograph of a granite countertop that you would like your counters to resemble. Most granite counters have one base color with two secondary colors used as flecks throughout the granite. Purchase paint in the colors of this granite. For example, a dark olive green base color with light olive green and black mixed in is a common choice.

Protect the edges of your walls with painter's tape and cover cabinets and floors with a drop cloth.

Combine 1/4 cup TSP with 1 gallon of water in a bucket. Put on rubber gloves. Dip your sponge in the liquid and wring it out. Wipe down your countertops thoroughly and then rinse with clean water.

Saturate your sponge with white vinegar and then wipe down your counter tops again. Rinse out your sponge with clean water and wipe down the counters again.

Rub a piece of 100-grit sandpaper over the counter thoroughly, covering every inch of surface area. This will help open up the laminate to accept the paint. Wipe down the counter with a tack cloth to remove the dust from sanding.

Put on a pair of latex gloves. Dip your 3-inch nylon brush into the oil primer and wipe it evenly across the surface of your countertop. Allow it to dry for two hours. Rinse out your brush with water and a mild detergent.

Paint your countertop in your base color with your 3-inch nylon brush. Apply even, uniform strokes to the countertop. Allow it to dry for at least 12 to 24 hours and then apply a second coat in the same manner, allowing it to dry for the same amount of time.

Dip an old rag in your secondary coat of paint and blot it across your countertop, using the picture of granite that you selected in step 1 as a guide. Don't cover the entire counter, rather let some of your base color show through. Allow 12 hours for it to dry.

Dip an old toothbrush in your third color. Using your fingers, flick the bristles so that the paint splatters naturally across the counter. Move from left to right across the counter so that your flecks of color display evenly. Allow the paint 12 hours to dry.

Apply three coats of a water based polyurethane finish with a gloss texture. Allow a full 24 hours to pass before applying each coat.