DIY Refinish Countertops

Choose a granite color and pattern that you like. You can find samples at home improvement stores and tile retailers. Pick out three to four paint colors that match the shades found in the granite sample.

Mix trisodium phosphate and water according to the instructions on the bottle. Scrub the counters with the mixture. TSP is a powerful degreaser and will also dull the shine from the counter. Dry the counter thoroughly.

Attach medium-grit sandpaper to a palm sander. Sand the entire counter to add some texture and allow the primers and paints to adhere. Wipe away the sanding dust with a damp rag.

Apply primer to the corners and hard-to-reach areas with a trim brush. Follow with the roller to apply a thin, even coat of primer onto the rest of the counter. Let the primer dry for 4 to 6 hours.

Choose a paint color to be the base color. This should be the most prevalent color in the granite sample. Apply the base color in the same way you applied the primer coat. Allow the first coat to dry for 30 minutes. Apply a second coat of the same color. Let the base coat dry for six hours.

Pour one of the accent colors onto a paper plate. Dab a sea sponge into the paint and dab the color onto the counter, imitating the granite sample. Begin with a small amount of paint. Step back to see the effect and add more paint as needed. Let this coat dry for 30 minutes.

Add additional accent colors using the same technique. Continue adding layers of paint to create the granite effect. Allow the paint to dry overnight.

Roll on a polyurethane topcoat to the painted counters. Use a smooth foam roller or good quality paintbrush to apply the top coat. Apply two to three coats of top coat. A high gloss finish will give an appearance most similar to granite. Let the top coat dry for seven days.