How to Paint Countertops to Look Like Stone

Scrape off excessive caulk around the sink with a putty knife. Excess caulk can interfere with the evenness of the finished paint result.

Sand any holes or depressions in the countertop. Fill them with an epoxy putty using the putty knife and wiping off any excess with a cloth. Once the putty dries, sand the area again to smooth the edges of the filled holes.

Mix 1 cup dish-washing liquid and 1 gallon water. Dip a rag in the soapy solution and wipe the countertop to remove dirt and grease.

Sand the entire surface of the countertop to rough it up. This will help the paint adhere to the countertop.

Vacuum the countertop with the brush attachment. Alternatively, get rid of the sanding dust with a hand brush and a dust pan. Wipe the countertop with a damp rag again to remove any remaining dust.

Pour the primer or basecoat into a paint tray, then apply a coat of primer or basecoat with a paint roller and paintbrush all over the countertop surface.

Apply one even coat of a special faux stone paint to the entire countertop surface. Use a paintbrush at the edges of the countertop and a paint roller elsewhere. Let the first coat dry.

Dip a 4-inch paintbrush in the faux stone paint and brush it onto the countertop in a series of X shapes. Vary the sizes, directions and positions of these Xs to get a more natural appearance. Also use different sides of the brush. Let the countertop dry completely, which can take 12 to 24 hours or more, depending on the temperature.

Cover the countertop with a coat of clear protective topcoat, applying with a paintbrush at the edges and a paint roller elsewhere. This makes the paint job more durable and scratch-resistant. Let the countertop dry before resuming use of the countertop.