- 1). Sand the surface of the laminate countertop thoroughly with a fine-grit sandpaper. This removes any gloss or sheen and roughs up the surface.
- 2). Mix trisodium phosphate with water according to the instructions printed on the TSP packaging. This is an industrial-strength cleaner that removes grease, dirt and debris from the countertop. Because various products have different dilution requirements, follow the product label closely.
- 3). Dip a rag in the TSP solution, and wipe the entire surface of the countertop. Wet a fresh rag with warm water to rinse the TSP off the countertop. Let the countertop dry.
- 4). Apply a coat of plastic paint primer with a paint roller to the countertop surface. At the edges, use a 4-inch paintbrush for more control. Primer helps paint adhere to the laminate surface. Let the primer dry thoroughly for the recommended amount of time as printed on the product label. This can take about 24 hours.
- 5). Roll on a coat of the background color for your marble. Use latex paint with an eggshell finish. You can choose an off-white color, soft yellow or any other color, depending on the marble you are trying to imitate.
- 6). Apply another color on top of the base coat while the base coat is still freshly wet. Use a 4-inch brush and wide diagonal strokes, leaving some space for the base color to show through. Vary the distances between the lines and their shapes to keep the look natural. Don't let the paint dry until you get the marble look you want because dried paint is difficult to blend. To lengthen the time it takes for paint to dry, you can add some glaze to the paint and mix it thoroughly. Work in sections, if necessary.
- 7). Blend the paint with a stippling brush and a softener brush, lightly dragging the wet paint across the countertop surface. Again, do this while the paint layers underneath are still wet.
- 8). Wet a sea sponge by dipping it in water, squeeze it to remove excess water, then dip it in the darkest paint color you want to use. Wipe about three-quarters of the countertop surface with this paint, then blend it again with the stippling brush and the softener brush.
- 9). Dip a feather or script liner brush in a paint color you want to use for the marble veins. Drag the brush along the direction of the marble initially, then vary the thickness and angles of the veins for a more natural look. Do this immediately after you apply the dark color with the sea sponge. The veins should look like uneven cracks. Add as many vein colors and layers as you want until your countertop looks like marble. Let the paint dry overnight.
- 10
Apply a coat of protective polyurethane varnish to make your faux marble paint job more durable. For best results, use a varnish with a satin or semi-gloss finish.
Source...