III. What can it be used on?
-
Traditional granite
countertops and vanities
-
Formica® countertops and vanities
-
Laminate countertops and vanities
-
Corian® countertops
-
see note below
-
Butcherblock countertops
-
Ceramic tile
countertops and backsplashes
-
Cultured marble vanities -
see note below
-
Wood
-
Primed
or painted drywall
-
Cabinet inlays
-
Table tops
-
Mantels
-
Primed acrylic or fiberglass
shower walls
Upgrading ceramic tile with Bombay Black
™
Note - with
regard to the grout lines-
GIANI™ is not
designed to fill in the gap created by your
tile's grout lines. You will tranform your ceramic
tile into the look of beautiful granite tile.
There are two
options for your consideration regarding your tile's grout
lines –
1) You may apply the GIANI™
process over them as their visibility may be acceptable due to
their narrow width - such as the ones pictured above -
2) And finally, you may
apply the GIANI Mineral colors over your grout lines, and then
re-coat the grout lines with a thin artist brush - using a
solid color – such as one of the GIANI Minerals - before you
apply the Clear Topcoat.
Although the grout lines require
a little additional finesse – it’s well worth it to
turn ceramic tiles into the rich, beautiful look of
Italian granite tiles!
GIANI™ transforming cultured marble
Note - On cultured marble -
and acrylic or fiberglass shower enclosures - a plastic primer must be
applied prior to GIANI™
because of their high plastic content.
You may use Rust-oleum's
"Plastic Primer" which is available at most hardware and Home
Centers in quarts.
Be sure to follow the primer's applications
guidelines with regard to ventilation beause it's
oil-based.
Here's how to apply the plastic primer to cultured
marble -
1. Clean the cultured marble to ensure it's free of
all residue.
2. Tape off around your sink, cabinets and above
your backsplash with painter's tape.
3. Next, use a very fine grit sandpaper - such as
Number 400 grit - and lightly 'rough up the cultured marble
with a very light sanding as this gives the plastic primer
more to bite into. Then wipe up the sanding dust and you're
ready to apply the plastic primer.
4. Using a foam brush, cut in with plastic primer
around your sink and your backsplash corners and top.
Then roll on the plastic primer using a 4 to 6 inch long,
dense foam roller that’s designed for very smooth surfaces. -
5. Right after rolling, lightly roll back over what
you just rolled, using long, end-to-end, overlapping, one-way
roll strokes. As this minimizes any lap lines created by
the roller.
6. Let the plastic primer coat dry for 24 hours.
7. Then, lightly rough up the dry plastic primer
coat with the same 400 grit sand paper to give GIANI's primer
/ base coat more to bite into as well. Wipe up the sanding
dust and then you’re ready to apply the standard GIANI™
process.
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
'paint-by-number system
with pre-packaged minerals, a unique primer that adheres
to laminate, an extremely hard clear topcoat - and 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 that's more exciting than watching
your beautiful new counters dry.
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
b) Mask off with 3M's Painter’s Tape for
Delicate Surfaces
-
because it won't bleed through -your backsplash, sink and dishwasher top
c) Shake and Stir well your
included Black IronCore™ primer / base coat, and then edge in
around your backsplash and sink.
Next, roll on the
primer on your countertops in three foot sections, and lastly
- roll back over what you just
rolled - in long, end-to-end, one-way, overlapping, very
light rolls strokes to
minimize
any air bubbles and lap lines.
d) Then, after the primer has dried
and before starting - practice the sponging process with the included black poster board.
e)
Next
-
sponge on – using straight up and down motion – the three pre-packaged minerals - in three foot wide sections to allow them to blend while wet.
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 / Base coat and an artist brush.
Note - with regard to the Bombay Black
kits, many GIANI painters will add just small flecks of the
bronze using an artist brush or the tips of their sponge -
AFTER the first two Mineral colors have dried - because it
intensifies the bronze and creates more of an accent.
g) Roll on two clear topcoats in long, one-way strokes. You will lightly "back roll" each section after you roll it - because this minimizes any lap lines.
h) Then relax – and enjoy your beautiful
new GIANI™ countertops! . . .
VI. What are the colors?
You may achieve countless 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 steps - 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, 100%
acrylics because of their hardness.
Sicilian Sand™ with 100% acrylic
green added
Because it's impossible
to check the compatibilty between the GIANI™ Mineral and all
acrylics, the acrylics and Minerals must be applied at
separate times-
1.
Apply the GIANI™ primer first and let it dry for the standard
six hours. Next, sponge on water-based, 100% acrylics of
your choice. Let them dry for 48 hours
– and then sponge on the GIANI™ Minerals.
-or -
2. Sponge on the GIANI™ Minerals
per the standard process, and let them dry for 48
hours
. Then sponge on the
100% acrylics and let them dry for two hours before
applying the GIANI™ Topcoat.
Be sure to
practice this on your included poster board to make
sure you get
the results you want!
Failure to use 100%
acrylics and to wait the full 48 hours of drying between
the Minerals and 100% acrylics may 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:
Thomas’ Kitchen Art, Inc.
2216 North Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63102
314-241-3500
Attn: Wendy Vance
and Thomas Kitchen Art, 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’s™ 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
