Giani Countertop Kits FAQ
Each Giani Countertop Kit will cover 35 square feet or 16 running feet of standard 24" wide counters - the average amount of countertop area in a kitchen.
All Giani Countertop minerals are water-based, acrylics. They are safe for interior use, Low VOC, and very low-odor.
Giani Granite 100% Acrylic Kits and Giani Butcher Block also come with a water-based, acrylic topcoat that is also Low VOC and very low-odor.
All Giani Granite with Epoxy Resin Topcoat Kits, Giani Marble, Giani Black Marble, and Venetian Gold Quartz Kits are equipped with an epoxy topcoat that is solvent-free, is Zero VOC, and very low-odor.
Giani Can Be Used On:
- Formica countertops and vanities
- Laminate countertops and vanities
- Corian countertops
- Butcher block countertops
- Ceramic tile*
- Cultured marble vanities
- One piece sink and counter vanities
- Primed or painted wood
- Primed or painted drywall
- Cabinet inlays
- Table tops
- Mantels
- Granite
Corian or Cultured Marble Countertops:
Be sure to remove any clear silicone caulk used in the seam at the bottom of your backsplash and around your sink before applying Giani. As with all coatings, Giani will not adhere to silicone. After cutting and peeling up any clear silicone caulk, wipe up any remaining residue with rubbing alcohol. Let it dry, then proceed with the standard Giani process. In addition, you will need to de-gloss your corian surface before applying the Giani primer. Simply rough it up with a very fine grit #600 sand paper and wipe it clean with a damp cloth. Allow to dry. You may re-apply acrylic or latex caulk in the seam at the bottom of your backsplash after you've completed the Giani process.
Ceramic Tile Countertops:
First, clean the tile to ensure it's free of all residue. Use SOS® or Brillo® pads and then wipe with a damp cloth. Rinse the surface with water to ensure all residue is removed. Next, use a fine grit silicon carbide sand paper to lightly rough up your tile surface. Wipe up the sanding dust with a damp cloth and allow to dry.
*We recommend NOT using Giani Granite kits with Epoxy Resin Topcoat, Marble and Black Marble on ceramic tile. The Epoxy topcoat will leave noticeable indentations over the grout lines between tiles.
Granite Countertops:
Our IronCore Primer will adhere well to a polished granite countertop as long as you clean the granite first with xylene or lacquer thinner, and then wipe-up the surface with rubbing alcohol to ensure any wax or sealer which may have been applied has been removed.
Be sure to follow the xylene or lacquer thinner manufacturer’s safety procedures and extinguish all pilot lights, such as from a gas stove, because xylene and lacquer thinner are very flammable.
What about countertops where the sink and counter are molded together as one piece? Create a line where the sink bowl would end and the countertop would begin (which is usually about an inch down from the top of the bowl) by running a strip of Frog's Painter's Tape or 3M Painter's Tape for Delicate Surfaces around your bowl. Use #600 grit sand paper to rough up your sink above the tape line. Wipe up the sanding dust and allow to dry. Apply Giani above the tape to create a countertop edge. Do not apply Giani below this line and into the bottom of the sink as it is not designed for submerged surfaces.
Wood:
Giani may be used on wood. The key is to ensure that your wood surface is as smooth as possible before starting. Plywood is a very challenging surface because its natural wood grain will typically telegraph through the final finish. As an alternative, you may use particle board or MDF board. For wood surfaces (this includes real butcher block, not laminate that looks like butcher block, and unsealed wood trim or countertops), be sure to apply one or two coats of a good wood primer to the particle board or wood surface before applying the Giani primer. Apply the wood primer with a foam roller for ultra smooth finishes because thicker nap rollers will leave a textured finish.
Giani Should NOT Be Used On:
- Bare metals
- Flooring
- Showers and tubs
- Sinks*
*Giani Granite 100% Acrylic Kits are all water-based formulas and should NOT be used on surfaces that will be submerged in water.
*Giani Countertop Kits with the Epoxy Resin Topcoat CAN be used in sinks like those found in bathroom vanities.
The Giani® Standalone Epoxy Kit, High Gloss Topcoat, and Glitter Topcoat are specifically designed for use over Giani Paints only. Use on any non-Giani substrates will void the limited warranty.
You'll transform an average size kitchen from start to finish, in a single weekend.
Your actual painting time will range from 2 to 4 hours depending on which kit you choose. For instance, the Black Marble Kit takes roughly 2 hours total painting time due to the spray on vein technique, while the Giani Granite Kits can take up to 4 hours due to the sponge application of the minerals.
Drying times will vary as well based on which kit you choose, but for most countertop kits, the dry times between steps will be roughly 16 hours, not including cure times for the topcoats.
For Giani Granite 100% Acrylic and Butcher Block Kits: Wait 24 hours after the final topcoat layer before using your countertops and dishwasher.
After 3 days, you may set light appliances back on your surface (such as a toaster, cutting board, knife holder), but it is recommended to wait the full cure time of 14 days before placing heavy appliances (such as a microwave) back on your counters.
For Giani Granite with Epoxy Resin Topcoat, Venetian Gold Quartz, Marble and Black Marble Kits: Wait 48 hours after applying the topcoat before you set light appliances back on your surface (such as a toaster, cutting board, knife holder), but it is recommended to wait the full cure time of 7 days before placing heavy appliances (such as a microwave) back on your counters.
Your new Giani countertop is just as durable as your car's exterior surface. But just like your car, you will need to take proper care of it to maintain its life span. Even if you follow the application instructions, your Giani may show signs of wear if you don't follow these proper care instructions.
Cleaning:
We recommend using a mild anti-bacterial soap, warm water, and a soft cloth for all Giani Countertop Kits. We also have our own specialized cleaner designed specifically for both Acrylic and Epoxy Topcoat kits.
Cleaners you should stay away from are: granite cleaners, alcohol, vinegar, Pine Sol, bleach, ammonia, polishes, cleaning wipes, scouring pads and essential oils. The ingredients in such cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can dull, damage and wear your surface down over time, affecting the overall durability of the topcoat.
Standing Water:
For Giani Granite 100% Acrylic and Butcher Block Kits: It is best to avoid standing water or trapped water under a dish for long periods of time. If you notice water on the sink, wipe it up immediately with a dry towel. If water has been trapped under a cup overnight and the surface has started to discolor, remove the cup and let the counter dry fully before touching the area. The topcoat will be in a weakened state and may easily scratch during this time. If allowed to fully dry, it will return to its original hardness and all cloudiness will go back to looking like your original surface.
For Giani Granite with Epoxy Resin Topcoat, Venetian Gold Quartz, Marble and Black Marble Kits: While it is best to wipe standing water from the surface, the Epoxy Topcoat is water resistant and will not damage as a result of standing water.
Hot Surfaces:
Do not put any pot or pan directly onto the countertop. For all Giani Countertop Kits it is best to use of a hot pad below any hot object.
Cutting Boards:
Always use a cutting board when chopping vegetables and meats. Using a sharp knife over surfaces coated with Giani Countertop Kits can leave behind cuts and scratches.
IMPORTANT:
Giani Countertop Kits protect against daily use, however, if you experience any staining or discoloration, excessive wear-and-tear, or damage while using your countertops, please contact us at 800-650-5699. We will be able to help you assess the imperfections, and walk you through the instructions on quick and easy repair.
All Giani Countertops are specifically designed for use in high-traffic kitchens. Whether you choose a kit with our 100% Acrylic Topcoat, or a kit with our Epoxy Resin Topcoat, your countertops will last as long as any conventional material as long you care for it appropriately.
Please reference our section "How Do I Care For My Countertops?" to read more on the proper care of your new countertops.
Giani Granite countertop surfaces are safe, water-based polymers and minerals that require the same basic precautions as most water-based coatings.
- Smell: All Giani products are environmentally safe, very low-odor, and leave no noticeable smell behind.
- Lead Content: All Giani products are lead-free.
- Food Safety: Once Giani fully cures, it's totally safe for food contact.
Yes. Because it is impossible to check the compatibility between Giani products and other manufacturer's acrylic colors, we can only recommend using Giani mineral colors.
Check out the A La Carte section of our website where you can purchase single cans of any of our mineral colors.
Standard Shipping:
All standard orders are processed and shipped within 1-3 business days and are shipped from St. Louis, MO. All domestic orders to the continental US, over $49.95, qualify for our FREE shipping option. Our free shipping option ships through the US Postal Service (USPS), and will have a longer transit time of 7-14 business days.
Expedited Shipping:
Ground or Home Delivery through UPS can take 2-5 business days from the day it was shipped depending on where you live in the country. But please keep in mind, if you placed an order on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday your shipment won’t be processed until Monday and then shipped out that afternoon. Online orders are always processed the following business day.
International Shipping:
Orders placed outside the continental US will be processed through UPS and you may be responsible for any additional customs charges or fees, which should be calculated and displayed at checkout.
Because of the delay that customs may have on your package, please be aware that transit times will vary and your order may be delayed for some time. Giani also is not notified of these delays once it leaves the U.S.
Please contact us at 800-650-5699 or email us at [email protected] for any additional information.
When stored properly, all Giani products have shelf lives of 2 years. The best storage is in a cool, dry area, away from extreme hot and cold temperatures. Applying Giani past the recommended shelf life will negatively affect its performance, and thus, would not be covered by our limited warranty.
During the winter months, paint is at risk for freezing due to the cold temperatures it may be exposed to during warehouse storage and delivery. Frozen paint can sometimes be tricky to determine initially because your cans won’t feel cold to the touch— however, the paint will exhibit a grainy/slushy texture. But not to worry, the paint will completely recover! We recommend allowing your paint to recover at room temperature for one week before applying. DO NOT apply the paint if it appears clumpy or frozen.