Granite Painting Techniques

Color Scheme

• Anyone interested in granite painting must first decide the color scheme. The painter must know what colors work together and what order they should be applied to replicate the appearance of true granite. Painters should use a minimum of three colors; one light, one dark and one medium. Metallic colors are a common choice for a base color because of the glittering appearance of true granite. Using a piece of true granite as a reference can take a lot of the guesswork out of choosing a realistic color scheme.

Spraying

• Painters often use spray painting as a technique for creating the look of granite. To do this, painters must purchase a faux granite spray finish. They apply the finish straight from the can onto a properly prepared surface. Multiple coats are often necessary to achieve the desired look. Once the finish dries, painters apply a clear coat for shine and easy maintenance. This method works well for countertops but can be used for walls and pillars as well.

Sponging

• Sea sponges make for great granite painting tools. Painters using the sponging method first apply the base coat with a paintbrush. The darkest color gets sponged on the base color first, then painters use a sea sponge to apply the next darkest and finally the lightest color. The lightest color ultimately acts as the dominant color. However, proper sponging technique involves applying each layer in a seemingly random pattern, so that a natural texture can emerge. Painters who work with the same hand and sponge each layer in the same direction end up with surfaces that look sponged, not surfaces that look like granite.

Pouncing

• Pouncing a faux granite paint job does not mean to jump on top of it. It refers to the use of a crumpled plastic bag and the appearance of pounce, a.k.a. fine powder, it creates. Painters use this technique in conjunction with glaze mixtures and not straight paint. The glossy finish of the glaze mimics the sparkle of true granite, and the random surfaces created by crumpled plastic bags help avoid the patterned look common to the sponging technique.