Epoxy countertops are the perfect way to brighten up your kitchen space. This is the ultimate step-by-step guide that will help you achieve this look.
When we bought our very first vacation rental, we knew the property had potential to be beautiful. What we also knew was that we had a budget and we needed to stick to it. The top two priorities of the kitchen renovation were the cabinets and the countertops. It was clear that marble surfaces would really help us create the fresh, clean space we were looking for! There was one issue. Marble is expensive. On average, marble slabs cost $60 per square foot. When we discovered the option of doing epoxy countertops, it was obvious we had to try it.
The results we received with the epoxy were unbelievable… you could argue even life-changing! Truly. Our countertops looked virtually identical to marble (and at a fraction of the cost!)
If your countertops are in need of a refresh, consider using epoxy. I promise you will be blown away at the results! From start to finish, this project can be completed in one day.
This post is all about how to create perfect marble epoxy countertops.
Materials You Will Need
- 2″ foam paint brush
- Artist paint brush
- Two to three 6″ foam paint rollers
- Paint sponge or bristle paint brush
- Misting bottle
- White primer
- Grey veining mineral
- White highlight mineral
- Epoxy activator
- Epoxy resin
- Wooden stir sticks
- Dropcloth
- Painters tape
- Gloves
Make it easy on yourself and buy a kit that has all of the materials you need! Click HERE to shop the exact kit we purchased from Amazon for only $200!
Step-by-Step Process
Cleaning/Prep
One of the most important steps to this project (or just about any DIY project) is the cleaning and preparation. Taking the time to properly clean makes a huge difference in the outcome as well as the ability for the countertops to last. That being said, this is not a step to skip… although sometimes it might be tempting!
Use a multipurpose cleaner with a lint-free rag to thoroughly clean the surfaces of all countertops. Make sure to get any built-up dust hiding in the corners and edges.
If you have existing caulk on your countertop (possibly around your kitchen sink or at the connection between the counter and backsplash) you will want to also remove this before starting.
Preparing The Surrounding Area
This step is crucial. When you get to the final step of applying the resin top coat, you want to make sure that your floors and bottom cabinets are covered with a drop cloth. This is because you are going to push the resin over the edge of the counter and let it waterfall off. More on this later!
Tape off any surfaces that are touching the countertop that you don’t want the resin to adhere to. This could include your stove, fridge, kitchen sink, and any other appliances that are against your countertops. Make sure to place the sticky side of the tape to the appliance.
Next, take a plastic drop cloth and use painters tape to tape it to the underside of the countertop, creating a shield for your lower cabinets. Once your cabinets are all covered, be sure to use additional drop cloths to cover your flooring!
Priming
Take your 2″ foam brush and your foam paint roller, as well as the white primer. You are going to start by painting around the edges, the backsplash piece and lip of the countertop. Think of it like trimming out a wall that you are about to paint. Edges first, then go back through and paint the entire flat surface with the foam roller.
You can plan on painting at least 2-3 coats of the primer before moving onto the next step. Our existing counters were a dark brown Formica and took three coats to cover. I would suggest waiting about an hour before applying an additional coat.
Once your countertops are evenly coated with the white primer, it’s time to move on to the veining.
Veining
Now… I’m going to be completely honest with you. This was the moment in the project where I began to question everything. My “Type A”, perfectionist personality was coming out and I was STRESSED. I was so scared I was going to make a mistake and ruin the entire marble countertop.
Let me reassure you. If you begin a vein and you don’t like the way it turns out… you can start over. Do not panic. All you have to do is take a damp towel and wipe it off. You do have to be sure to do this while the grey veining mineral is still wet.
Okay, with that disclaimer out of the way, let’s talk about how to achieve the marble veins.
Take your artist paint brush and the grey veining mineral.
When creating your veins, you want to be sure to sustain both a very gentle grip as well as an extremely light touch. I found that holding the paint brush at the very end of the handle, furthest from the bristles, helped me to maintain this.
With your paintbrush (that you’re holding ever-so gently) begin to draw a vein in your desired area. As you begin to draw the vein, slightly twist the brush while continuing to move in a forward motion. This will help create an imperfect line with different thicknesses. This is important as natural marble does not have perfectly straight veins running through them.
After your vein is drawn, use the spray bottle to lightly spray the freshly drawn vein with water. Spray from about 6-8 inches away. The water will cause your vein to begin to bleed. This is good! This is what causes that natural veining look.
With the surface still damp, take another bristle paint brush and lightly dab along the vein. This will also help to create that diffused veining look that natural marble possesses!
In all honesty, the kit we had purchased recommended to use a painters sponge to help diffuse the veins. I thought the sponge gave me much less control. This is why I opted to use a bristle paint brush instead.
Check out the time-lapse video below to help see the process of veining come to life!
You will continue this process throughout your entire counter space until you are content with the amount of veins you’ve applied.
This is the step where you get to create the exact marble look you prefer! Some people prefer their veins to be bold and thick. Others will decide to create a much more minimal look with petite, subtle veins. I suggest looking up marble countertop examples to decide which look you are looking to create! There is no right or wrong answer.
Lastly, remember my disclaimer I stated at the beginning of this step? Don’t stress about trying to create the perfect vein. There is no such thing. This is the fun step where you get to let your creative side loose! (Plus, if you mess up you can quickly wipe off the mistake with a damp towel and start again.) No pressure, sis!
Epoxy Resin Top Coat
This is the most time-sensitive step. From the time that you pour the epoxy activator into the resin, you have 30 minutes to use the material before it begins to set and cure. Be sure to follow the exact direction of the epoxy that you choose to use. If you purchase the Giani Carrara Countertop Kit that I previously mentioned, the directions are extremely detailed. I highly recommend this kit to anyone working with epoxy for the first time!
This is also the step where you can truly begin to see the faux marble come to life. There is just something so *chef’s kiss* about the glossy finish that will leave butterflies in your stomach. Just me? No way. I promise there is something so special about the transformation that begins at this step.
Again, I suggest you follow the directions given to you by the epoxy brand or kit that you purchase. The directions I give here are an overview of the kit that I bought.
Once you pour the activator into the resin, begin immediately stirring for EXACTLY 3 minutes and 15 seconds. It is critical that you stir for this exact time.
After stirring, it’s time to pour the epoxy resin onto the countertop. Work in roughly 6 foot sections at a time. Within your section, pour 3 different lines down your countertop. The resin will harden much quicker if it is left in the can. Therefore, pour out all of the contents as quickly as possible. Once you have all of the epoxy poured onto the counter, your 30 minute countdown begins.
Begin by spreading the poured epoxy onto the backsplash. You want to be sure to completely cover the backsplash before moving on to the rest of the counter.
Take your roller and gently spread the remaining epoxy around the rest of the countertop surface. Be sure to spread the epoxy all the way to the edges, letting it waterfall down. Trust me when I say I understand how scary it is to see this epoxy freely dripping from your countertop. It is unsettling at first, but it is exactly what is supposed to be happening!
Do not let the 30 minute time limit freak you out. Take your time and remember to apply gentle, even pressure when spreading the epoxy. Also, epoxy is self-leveling (praise Jesus) and will continue to level itself for a couple of hours after application.
For the first couple of hours following the application, be sure the check back in every-so-often to verify that no hairs or tiny bugs have made their way onto your countertops. If you discover a little fuzz or hair on your freshly-poured counters, take some tweezers and gently remove it. Problem solved.
Once you’ve completed this step, your one job is to let it be! I mean it. Let your countertops be for at least 2 days. However, I would suggest letting them cure for 72 hours before using them in any way. Epoxy countertops can take up to one week to fully cure. Therefore, it is extra important that you are VERY gentle with them for one week following this project. (Might I even suggest you go on a little vacay to fully let them cure with no disruptions.)
**After 24 hours of letting your countertops set, this is when you can go back through and caulk any gaps you might have between your countertop and backsplash.
Tips and Tricks
- Plan your veining out ahead of time on a piece of paper! Since this is a timely project, it makes the process MUCH less stressful if you already have a game plan prepared.
- Since you want to give the epoxy resin adequate time to set with no disruptions, it is beneficial to plan out this project for when you can be away from your kitchen for a few days. Tape off the area to help block out any debris in the air from landing on the fresh countertops and let it be (preferable for at least 72 hours!)
- While this project can be completed with one person, an extra set of hands and eyes helps!
- Watch videos! There’s plenty of information out there for you to do your own research and gain the confidence you need before starting this DIY!
Maintenance
Good maintenance is key to making your counters last you for years!
- Use soft cloths when cleaning the surfaces. Microfiber towels work great.
- Avoid abrasive sponges or pads
- A multi-surface cleaner is typically great to use for epoxy countertops . You want to avoid any harsh chemicals when cleaning these surfaces.
- For additional maintenance, you can use a mineral oil. I would only suggest using this about once a month. Mineral oil can create a hazy finish if too much is applied. Remember… Less is More!
- Of course, cleaning spills as soon as possible will help your countertops to not stain.
As I mentioned previously, our countertops were being redone for our vacation rental property. With this being said, we are trusting that our guests are wiping up their spills and cleaning accordingly. However, it’s unrealistic to believe that everyone is going to treat our beautiful countertops with the kindness they deserve. But, we can cross our fingers, right?
It’s been nine months since completing this project. We took a trip to the house to do a check-in and see how everything was holding up, our countertops included. I’m not going to lie… we were a little nervous! Would they still look as beautiful and glossy as when we last saw them? Or would they be stained and chipped? *drum roll please* Nine months later and our faux marble countertops are perfect. PERFECT.
Any hesitations that you might have about doing epoxy countertops, let them go. I hope this post can help guide you through your first time attempting this project. Believe in yourself and believe in the process. You got this!
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