How to Paint a Faux Terra Cotta Counter

Terra cotta is a form of baked clay that been in use for thousands of years. Its reddish, rustic appearance is a good choice when you desire a warm, earthy atmosphere. A terra cotta finish is quite easy to apply using only a few paints and tools. You can purchase all materials for this project at any hobby or art store. If you are unfamiliar with painting faux finishes, practice on a scrap of wood before moving on to your counter.

80-grit sandpaper
Rag
Low-tack painter's tape
Primer
Paint brushes
Terra cotta-colored acrylic paint, 2 shades
Sand
Sea sponge
Sealer

Instructions

- 1
  Sand the entire counter surface with 80-grit sandpaper to remove any existing treatment and prepare the surface for fresh paint.
- 2
  Wash any sanding dust off of the counter with a damp rag.
- 3
  Mask off any walls and other areas that you do not want painted with low-tack painter's tape.
- 4
  Apply a coat of primer to the counter surface. Allow the primer to dry.
- 5
  Paint a base coat of terra cotta-colored acrylic paint.
- 6
  Randomly toss fine sand into the base coat while it is still tacky. Allow it to dry for four hours, then blow off any sand that has not adhered to the paint.
- 7
  Use a sea sponge to mottle on a darker terra cotta color. Allow some of the lighter color to show through. Allow the paint to dry for four hours.
- 8
  Apply three coats of a food-safe sealer to the entire counter to protect the paint. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next.
- 9
  Remove the painter's tape.

How to Make a Countertop Look Like Granite

How to Paint Walls With a Suede Finish

Faux Finishing