DIY Granite Countertop Makeover

We were looking for a cost-effective way to make our old outdated countertops look new without spending a whole lot of money.
Using the Giani Granite Countertop Kit, we did just that!
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We used the Giani Granite countertop kit in chocolate brown and followed the steps outlined in the kit:
Clean
Xylene (or lacquer thinner) is recommended for use on Granite to help prep the surface.
Then wipe down with alcohol.
We taped around the sink. We considered taking it out, but it would have been more work than actually necessary and not made a huge impact on the outcome.
The only thing that would concern me is if we were to change out the sink we may need to touch up around that area. It also recommended that you tape around the backsplash, which we did not do because we are replacing that next.
Also, protect your cabinets to avoid paint spills. We did not do that either. We have painted enough times that we felt okay about not covering the cabinets in plastic. If you have not or are worried that you will make a mess COVER THEM!
Step 1 - Prime
Step 2 - Paint
You pour the paint onto paper plates and use the sponge included in the kit to paint your countertops.
Paint is applied in 2-foot sections using all three colors without waiting for each to dry.
To see how the process works you can check out the video below
The finished product of the countertops were better than we anticipated.
The full details and how-to are in the article reference below on Kenya Rae - The online homemaker magazine!
Affordable Home Upgrades
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Comments
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Emily Harris on Jun 12, 2025
Looks great!
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Omaifi on Jun 17, 2025
Love it! We actually did something similar using the same Giani kit but in the Sicilian Sand color. Just a heads-up for anyone planning this, don’t skip surface prep! We had a small hiccup because we rushed it, and I had to call for advice. Felt like trying to reach the Yoto phone number just to figure it out. But the result is worth it.
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Frequently asked questions
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My old formica countertops are so dull! How can I restore them?
What about for a granite sink? Is there something I can do for that?
I have tile in kitchen which has faint black marks like mold in tile. What can I do to hide it ?