[su_spoiler title=”Why Giani Granite Countertop Kit” icon=”caret”]Easy and affordable DIY countertop makeover kits! Giani allows you to transform your existing countertops to the look of natural stone in just one weekend. A simple 3-step process, with all the tools included! One kit covers 35 square feet or 16 running feet of standard 24″ wide counters – the average amount of countertop area in a kitchen. All Giani products are water-based, safe and low odor. Giani is protected with a high-gloss, durable, automotive-grade clear acrylic topcoat. Each Giani kit color is adjustable to your decor so you can paint to your preference. Hides any existing stains, scratches, or burns. Designed to lock out moisture and resist bacteria making clean up a breeze![/su_spoiler]

[su_spoiler title=”On What Surfaces Can I Use Giani?” icon=”caret”]Giani Can Be Used On:

Formica countertops and vanities Laminate
countertops and vanities
Corian countertops
Butcher block countertops
Tile with grout lines
Cultured marble vanities
One piece sink and counter vanities
Primed or painted wood Primed or painted drywall
Cabinet inlays Tabletops
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 sandpaper and wipe it clean with a damp cloth. Allow drying. 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 sandpaper to lightly rough up your tile surface. Wipe up the sanding dust with a damp cloth and allow to dry.

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.

**Note: 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 sandpaper 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.[/su_spoiler]

[su_spoiler title=”What Surfaces Cannot Accept Giani? ” icon=”caret”]Giani Can NOT Be Used On: Sink Bowls Bathtubs Shower Walls Shower Floors **Giani, as with all water-based technologies, is not designed for surfaces that will be submerged in water.**[/su_spoiler]

[su_spoiler title=”When Can I Use My Countertops? ” icon=”caret”]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. Full cure time for Giani is 14 days. While you can clean gently during this time, we do not recommend cleaning aggressively until after the 14 day cure time. (Please note: We recommend only using soap and warm water to clean your counters, do NOT clean with harsh chemicals or household cleaners including vinegar.)[/su_spoiler]

[su_spoiler title=”How Do I Care For My Countertops? ” icon=”caret”]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 it’s 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:

Giani’s unique blend of polymers and minerals lock out moisture and resist bacteria, making it simple to clean! We recommend using a mild anti-bacterial soap, warm water, and a soft cloth. Or, try our specialized Giani Cleaner! Because of its unique polymers, do NOT use granite cleaners, alcohol, vinegar, Pine Sol, bleaches, ammonia, harsh household cleaners, polishes, cleaning wipes, scouring pads or essential oils. The ingredients in such cleaning products contain alcohol ethoxylates, glycolic acid, acetic acid, and other harmful chemicals that can wear your surface down over time and effect Giani’s durability.

Standing Water:

As the Giani Clear Topcoat is water-based, avoid standing water or trapped water under a dish for long periods. 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 it’s original hardness and all cloudiness will go back to looking like your original surface.

Hot Surfaces:

Do not put any pot or pan onto the countertop that came directly from the hot stove without the use of a hot pad.

Cutting Boards:

Always use a cutting board when chopping vegetables and meats. Using a sharp knife over Giani can scratch or cut into the surface. If your Giani countertops ever receives a chip because of an intense impact from a sharp point, not to worry, it’s easy to renew!

Simply follow the below quick 5-step process:

Lightly sand the blemish, and about an eighth of inch around it, with a very fine grit #600 sandpaper. Wipe up the dust particles with a damp cloth and allow to dry.
Next, if it’s down to the original countertop, use an artist brush or foam brush to touch up the area with the Giani black primer and allow it to dry for 8 hours.
Then, lightly cover the area with your Giani minerals using an artist brush or the tips of your sponge. Allow the mineral touch-up to dry for 4 hours
Finally, use your foam brush and cover the mineral touch-up and about a quarter of an inch around it with the Giani clear topcoat.
Allow the first topcoat touch-up to dry for 4 hours and then repeat.

Once its dried, your Giani countertop should be back in shape and looking beautiful!

Additional Reinforcement:

Over time, if you ever wish to add additional reinforcement to your Giani you may apply a fresh layer of clear topcoat over your entire Giani countertops. To accomplish this, simply use a very fine grit #600 sandpaper and lightly de-gloss your existing topcoat. You don’t have to remove your existing topcoat. Lightly sand it to knock down it’s gloss and smooth it out. Next, use a damp cloth to wipe up the sanding dust and allow it to dry before adding additional topcoat. Remember, after the reinforcement topcoat has been applied, your countertops will need to cure again. You may use your sink and dishwasher 24 hours after application, but wait 3 days before setting small appliances/decor back on the countertops. Do not clean aggressively within the 14 day cure time.[/su_spoiler]

[su_spoiler title=”How Durable Is Giani? ” icon=”caret”]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. Even though you may use your counters in 48 hours, don’t aggressively scrub them for 2 weeks. **Please reference our section “How Do I Care For My Newly Painted Countertops?” to read more on the proper care of your new countertops.**

Can it be scratched?

Yes. Just like granite and formica, it’s not recommended for cutting or chopping. The difference is, if it is ever necessary, you can renew Giani quickly and easily.

Will it stain?

It can if strong contaminates, such as coffee, wine, fish oil, fragrance plug in spills, etc. are allowed to sit for a long period. How long will it last? With the proper care, it will last as long as any conventional countertop. Will it show fingerprints? No. Unlike mined granite, Giani will not fingerprint because clear resin surrounds the minerals.

Is it heat resistant?

Yes. Giani is heat resistant up to 250°F. As with formica, it is not designed for pots or pans directly from ovens or ranges.

You Can Use Giani outside.

Yes. Giani is an automotive grade resin so it performs well outside. However, Giani is not designed for surfaces that will be submerged in water.

Can the paint wear down?

Yes. Giani is an automotive grade resin, so it does perform exceptionally well. But almost all materials, natural and man-made, are susceptible to friction. Over time, if Giani experiences consistent rubbing, like that done in front of a sink when doing dishes, Giani can start to show signs of wear in that area. The good news is that it can easily be fixed if you can’t avoid rubbing against the counter in front of the sink. All you would need to do is touch up the area. [/su_spoiler]

[su_spoiler title=”How Safe Is It To Apply? ” icon=”caret”]Giani granite countertop surfaces are safe, water-based polymers and minerals that require the same basic precautions as most water-based coatings.

Smell: Giani water-based minerals may emit a mild odor but, once dry, it does not leave a trace on your counters.
Lead Content: Giani does NOT contain lead.
Food Safety: Once Giani fully cures, in approximately two weeks, it’s safe for incidental food contact. 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.

**Note: as with all countertop surfaces, all cutting and chopping food preparation should be done on a cutting board.

Should food or liquids be spilled on Giani, its polymers lock them out for easy removal.[/su_spoiler]

[su_spoiler title=”How Safe Is It To Apply? ” icon=”caret”]If your counter’s seam is a thin line, like a scratch, then Giani granite will cover and hide it. If your seam is a fairly wide gap, fill it in with a good wood patch. Let the patch dry and 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. Soon, you’ll have a seamless, beautiful Giani countertop![/su_spoiler]

[su_spoiler title=”Can I Add My Own Colors?” icon=”caret”]Yes. You may add in colors from your decor as long as you use water-based acrylics due to their hardness. Additionally, be sure to dilute the acrylics with water so they match the consistency of the Giani minerals. Apply the Giani primer first and let it dry for the standard 8 hours. Next, sponge on water-based, acrylics of your choice and the Giani minerals. Let them dry for 12 hours and then apply the Giani topcoat. Failure to wait the full 12 hours of drying time before top-coating, when using the water-based acrylics, will result in voiding the warranty.[/su_spoiler]

[su_spoiler title=”When Should I Use Caulk?” icon=”caret”]Before painting with Giani, remove any existing latex or silicone caulk. We highly recommend NOT using paintable caulk before applying Giani as most dry times for paintable caulk are not accurate when used with Giani products and you may experience cracking. After your final topcoat layer has dried for at least 12 hours, use any kitchen/bath acrylic caulk to seal around your sink’s rim and where your backsplash meets your countertop. We recommend using an acrylic caulk that dries clear for around the sink. This step is essential in protecting your finish.[/su_spoiler]

[su_spoiler title=”Does Giani Expire?” icon=”caret”]When stored properly, Giani has a recommended shelf life 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 it’s performance, and thus, would not be covered by our limited warranty. [/su_spoiler]

[su_spoiler title=”What If My Paint Appears Clumpy Or Frozen?” icon=”caret”]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.[/su_spoiler]