Do your countertops need a makeover? Yeah, so did mine...many times...
My trials and mostly errors
My countertops were at first a horrible 70's yellow laminate. I lived with them for a year before I did my first countertop face lift I shelled out close to 100 bucks for a Giani granite kit. Basically it was an assortment of paints that you sponge on in layers to create a faux granite finish. Then you seal it with polyurethane. It was okay...not exactly what I wanted though. It never really looked like granite...I don't think that is possible with sponging on paint to begin with. Plus, if you seal with polyurethane you are always going to deal with a milky discoloration whenever the surface gets wet for an extended period of time. While the milky discoloration is temporary, and disappears after the surface dries, still it's not ideal for a surface that sees some water.
The second product I used was Rust-Oleum counter top paint. I chose black. When it says it takes 3 days to cure, trust the instructions. I didn't - and I had the indents to prove it. But it was an overall decent product. Not worth the 20 bucks, as it is basically varnish...but oh well - marketing I suppose.
With the impending sale (I hope) of my home, I decided to use it again and wait the 3 full days for the hard finish without touching it or placing anything on top. I chose a dark gray color, I thought it would better suit my colors rather than the harsh black. Result - horrible gray ensued.
I am in LOVE with my "new" countertops, and you can be too! Directions below.
I bought 2 cans of Krylon Make it Stone. You could use any texture spray paint though. I sprayed the countertops after taping everything off and then some and STILL got that stuff on my appliances. But no worries, it does come off easily once dried. Don't try to get it off while it's still wet because it just smears the pigments and creates a bigger mess.
I used a black granite and a gray sandstone....or something of that nature. For my space I used almost 2 cans of it, but if I didn't have the lavender gray doom base, I would have only needed one can, say, if I had a black base color.
I let this dry a couple of days. I could have moved onto the next step sooner than this, but I was busy with other things, (e.g. massive freakout cleaning trying to get my home show ready).
Then I used Enviro Tex Lite pour on 2-park epoxy resin. I used 1 box, but I bought 2 (future cool crafts here I come!). I got mine at Hobby Lobby for 30/each, but had a coupon for 40% off (sign up for their mailing list and you will be gifted with one every week). Basically, as with an 2-part deal the ratio is 1:1. You stir the resin together, working against the clock, spread on your surface, blow out any air bubbles, and marvel at the gorgeousness left behind.
I would suggest not doing the front of the counters if you don't have a sloped ridge. I plan on using regular polyurethane or even polycrylic for that part. The front doesn't see much wear and tear and water brutality as the tops, so I am not worried. It will still have a nice shine, and transition just fine into the high gloss tops.