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GIANI Sicilan Sand
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How to apply GIANI Sicilian Sand
...
1)
Roll on black Primer/Base Coat
2)
Sponge on the 1st Mineral
3) Sponge on the 2nd Mineral
4) Sponge on the 3rd Mineral -and
repeat in next section
5) Roll on the Clear Topcoats.
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How to
apply GIANI
Bombay Black
...
1)
Roll on black Primer/Base Coat
2) Sponge on the 1st Mineral
3) Sponge on the 2nd Mineral
4) Sponge on the 3rd Mineral - and
repeat in next section
5) Roll on the Clear Topcoats -
and
then relax and enjoy!
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FAQ Section
Find answers
to the most asked questions about GIANI in the below
categories . . .
I. Why
GIANI?
II. How durable is
it?
III. What can it be used
on?
IV. How safe is
it?
V. How do you apply
it?
VI. What are the
colors?
VII. Can you add your own
color?
VIII. What if your counter has a
seam?
IX. How do you care for
it?
X. What’s its
warranty?
I. Why
GIANI?
Traditional granite countertops are naturally porous and
absorb liquids and foods that can hold in harmful
bacteria.
Consequently, they must
be properly re-sealed every year - which
many people don't do - creating a potentially unsafe
surface.
GIANI countertop finishes are
designed to lock out moisture and resist bacteria
because of their unique blend of polymers and
minerals.
GIANI is a granite countertop
finish that's beautiful and safe for your family!
2)Is it shiny?
Yes, GIANI
is a very reflective, semi-gloss, cut granite finish.
3)Is it smooth?
Yes,
GIANI is a smooth finish with the contours of natural
cut stone.
II. How durable is GIANI?
The GIANI polymers
are automotive grade resins that are used in the
manufacture of car bumpers, so your countertop is
extremely durable.
Like most new
water-based resin technologies, the cure time for
GIANI is approximately two weeks to achieve its full
hardness.
So even though you may
use your counters in forty-eight hours, don't aggressively
srub on them for two weeks.
1) Can it be
scratched?
Yes, just like granite
and Formica -it’s not recommended for cutting or chopping.
The difference - is - if ever necessary - you can renew
GIANI quickly and easily.
2) Will it
stain?
It can if strong contaminates are
allowed to set for a long period.
3) How
long will it last?
As long as any
conventional countertop.
4) Will it show
fingerprints?
No, unlike mined granite,
GIANI will not fingerprint because the clear resin surrounds
the minerals.
5) Is it heat
resistant?
Yes, GIANI is heat resistant
up to 250F. As with Formica - it is not designed for pots or
pans directly from ovens or ranges.
6) Can it be
used outside?
Yes, GIANI is an automotive
grade resin so it performs well outside. Note, GIANI
is not designed for surfaces that will be submerged in
water.
III. What can GIANI be used
on?
-
Traditional granite countertops and vanities
-
-
-
Corian countertops - see note below
-
Butcherblock countertops
-
-
-
-
-
Primed or painted drywall
-
Cabinet inlays
-
Table tops
-
Mantels
-
Primed acrylic or fiberglass shower
walls 
Upgrading ceramic
tile with Bombay Black
GIANI transforming cultured marble
with a
one piece molded in sink
Note - on Corian
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 -
because - as with all coatings - GIANI
- will not adhere to silicone. After cutting and
peeling up any clear silicone caulk used, wipe up any
remaining residue with rubbing alcohol.
You may re-apply acrylic or latex
caulk in the seam at the bottom of your backsplash
- let it dry - then proceed with the standdard GIANI
process.
Coat the edge face of your sink - not the
bowl.
What about countertops where the
sink and countertop are molded together as one
piece?
Use painter's tape and
mask off a line where the sink bowl ends and the
countertop begins -
and apply GIANI to the edge face of your
sink as pictured above.
GIANI may be used
outside because it is an automotive grade
resin.
What
can't GIANI
be used it on ?
- Sink
bowls -No
- Bathtubs -
No
- Shower floors - No
Because GIANI, as with all
water-based technologies is not designed for surfaces
that will be submerged in
water.
IV. How safe is it to apply?
GIANI granite countertop
surfaces are safe, water-based polymers and
minerals that require the same basic precautions as
most water-based coatings.
1) How much does
it smell?
GIANI water-based minerals emit
less odor than ordinary latex house
paint.
2) Does it contain any
lead?
No, GIANI does not contain any
lead.
As a public service, all
paint manufacturers have placed notices on their cans to
warn consumers if they are removing old house paint to make
sure the old house paint does not contain
lead.
3) Is it safe for
food?
Yes, once GIANI fully cures
- in approximately two weeks - it's safe for incidental food
contact.
Note, as with all
countertop surfaces, all cutting and chopping food
preparation should be done on a cutting board.
And if food or liquids are spilled on GIANI, its
polymers lock them out for easy removal.
V. How do you apply it?
GIANI was developed as an
easy and fun experience to allow your creative
flair to come out.
It's
complete with pre-packaged Minerals, a unique primer
that adheres to laminate, an extremely hard clear topcoat -
plus all the necessary tools -
assembled for you
in one convenient Kit.
So now - regardless of your
painting experience - you can quickly and easily create
a stunning GIANI granite countertop that locks out
moisture and resists bacteria.
To see the many colors of
GIANI granite click here -Photo Gallery Page .
1) How long does it take?
You'll transform an average size kitchen - which
has about 35 square feet of countertop, from start to
finish, in a weekend.
Your actual painting time will be about 4
hours. And then there is about 16 hours of drying
time when you can be off doing something
else.
Coverage – 35 square feet of
countertop is equivalent to about 16 running feet of
standard 24” wide countertops.
2)What are the key steps to apply it?
a)
Clean your countertops with household de-greaser such as
"409"
b) Mask off your backsplash, sink and
dishwasher. Be sure to use 3M's Painter’s Tape
"for Delicate Surfaces" - because this tape won't
bleed through
Be sure to remove any existing silicone caulk
because the GIANI primer - as will all coatings - will not
adhere to silicone
c) Shake and Stir well your
included Black IronCore primer and then edge in around your
backsplash and sink.
Next, roll on the
primer on your countertops in three foot sections, and
- roll back over what you just covered - in long,
end-to-end, one-way, overlapping, very light rolls
strokes to minimize any lap lines created by the
roller.
d) Then, after the primer has dried and
before starting - practice the sponging process with
the included black poster board. Buy more black
colored poster board if more practice is desired.
e)
Next - sponge on the three pre-packaged minerals - in three
foot wide sections to allow them to blend while wet.
Use straight up and down motion.
Note - the cans are not filled to
the top because standardized cans were used. Adequate
volumes are provided to complete 35 square
feet.
f) If desired, go back in and adjust
color or add veins - On the Sicilian Sand - you may
even go back in and a flecks of "black" by using the
included black Primer and an artist brush. Be sure to
allow any added primer to dry for eight hours
before topcoating
Note - with regard to the Bombay
Black kit, many GIANI painters will add just small flecks of
the included Bronze Mineral AFTER the first two Mineral
colors have dried - because it intensifies the Bronze
accent.
g) Roll on clear topcoat. Do not
go back in an re-roll the wet topcoat after you've applied
it because it may cause uneven or dry spots.
h)
Then relax – and enjoy your beautiful new GIANI countertops!
. . .
VI. What are the
colors?
You
may achieve endless colors with GIANI because of the
high number of potential combinations and blends from it's
three Minerals.
The pictures on the web
site are examples of a the standard granite colors achieved
by following the Kit's broad guidelines - plus -
a few of the more common shades achieved
by adding extra amounts of any of the provided
GIANI Minerals.
To achieve the granite color you desire,
discover and refine your combination on the included
practice poster board.
The end result
will be a beautiful GIANI granite countertop that's unique
to your kitchen!
VII. Can you add in your own
color?
Yes,
you may add in colors from your decor as long as you use
water-based, acrylics because of their hardness.
Sicilian Sand with acrylic green
added
Because it's impossible to check the
compatibilty between the GIANI Mineral and all acrylics, the
acrylics and Minerals must be allowed to dry for a longer
time period -
Apply
the GIANI primer first and let it dry for the standard
eight hours. Next, sponge on water-based,
acrylics of your choice and the GIANI Minerals.
Let them dry for 24 hours and
then apply the GIANI Topcoat.
Failure to use water-based acrylics and to wait the
full 24 hours of drying before topcoating will result
in voiding the warranty.
VII. What if your counter has a
seam?
If your counter's seam is a
thin line, like a scratch, then the GIANI granite
will cover and
hide it.
If your
seam is a fairly wide gap, then fill it in with a good
wood patch. Let the patch dry and then sand it
smooth until it's even with the rest of your
counter.
Wipe away any sanded
material and then follow the standard GIANI process - and
you'll have a seamless, beautiful GIANI couintertop!
VIII. How do you care for it?
That's the beauty of GIANI!
it's unique blend of polymers and minerals lock out
moisture and resist bacteria.
All you have to do is clean and disinfect the
GIANI - as needed - with a mild
Anti-bacterial soap, warm water and a soft
cloth.
You should never have to
re-seal GIANI because its polymers are an
integral part of the
surface.
Because of its
unique polymers, do not use granite cleaners,
bleaches, ammonia, household cleaners, polishes or scouring
pads.
IX. What’s its warranty?
If you are not
satisfied with GIANI
granite countertop finishes for any reason,
send unused portion along with your receipt to:
GIANI, Inc.
2216 North Broadway
St.
Louis, MO 63102
314-241-3500
Attn: Wendy
Vance
and GIANI, Inc. will refund
you the entire purchase amount, excluding shipping.
Since we do not have
control over surface preparation or application, this
Warranty does not include cost of labor for application of
coating and excludes any incidental or consequential
damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion of
incidental or consequential damages, so the limitation or
exclusion contained in the above warranty may not apply to
you.
This warranty gives
you specific legal rights. You may also have other
rights which may vary from state to state. GIANI sponge
applicator is designed specifically to achieve the optimal
granite finish. Failure to use or follow the
instructions may void the Warranty.
"I guarantee you'll love
your
GIANI countertop
upgrade!
Floyd Thomas -
CEO
Technical Expert for
US
Navy coatings
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