How to Give a Laminate Countertop a Faux Stone Finish

Slip on a pair of rubber gloves, safety goggles and a dust mask before creating a mixture of a 1/2 gallon warm water and 1 tablespoon TSP, or tri-sodium phosphate. Stir the water until the TSP is completely incorporated.

Dampen a kitchen sponge with the mixture and thoroughly clean the laminate countertops and backsplash. Dampen a separate kitchen sponge with plain water and rinse off the TSP residue. Dry the counters with a towel.

Examine the laminate countertop for any gouges, chips or noticeable cracks. Fill the damaged area with a small amount of epoxy glue. Allow the glue to set according to the package directions, or at least six to eight hours, before sanding it flush to the surrounding surface with fine-grit sandpaper. Wipe away the sanding dust with a tack cloth.

Cover the surrounding wall, appliances and any anything else you don’t intend to paint with painter’s tape and heavy paper.

Apply a thin coating of the black primer provided in the kit with a small paint roller. Use a small paint or foam brush to do the finish work.

Allow the primer to set for at least six to eight hours, or overnight, before covering the countertop with the decorative minerals provided in the kit. Starting at one corner of the countertop, apply the minerals with the sponge provided in a single, brisk motion. Continue to apply the minerals in small sections until the entire countertop is covered. The minerals give your laminate countertop the faux stone finish.

Allow the minerals to set according to the package directions, or at least three to four hours, before examining the countertop for any sections covered with excess mineral, which make the countertops appear unrealistic. Remove these spots with fine-grit sandpaper.

Cover the cured minerals with a thin layer of polyurethane. Once again, use a small roller for the bulk of the project and a foam or small paintbrush for the finish work. There is a topcoat provided in several kits. This is also acceptable, although the polyurethane creates a longer-lasting, durable finish.

Allow the first layer of polyurethane to set for at least eight hours, or overnight before applying an additional two to three coats of the product. Once again, allow each to dry for eight hours in-between.

Allow the final coat of polyurethane to cure for 48 hours before using the countertop.