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 -its 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 wood - see note below
-
Primed or painted drywall
-
Cabinet inlays
-
Table tops
-
Mantels
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 standard GIANI process.
In addition, you need to de-gloss your
Corian surface before applying the Giani
Primer. Simply rough it up with a very fine grit
Number 600 sand paper - and then wipe it clean with a damp
cloth and allow to dry.
What about countertops
where the sink and countertop 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
Next, use the 600 grit sand paper to rough
up your sink above the tape line. Wipe up the sanding
dust and allow to dry.
Next apply Giani above the tape to
create an countertop edge as pictured below. Do
not apply Giani below this line and into the bottom of
the sink because it is not designed for submerged
surfaces
Coat the edge face of your sink - not the
bowl
GIANI
on wood
GIANI may be used
on wood The key is to ensure your wood
surface is smooth as possible before applying the GIANI
Primer
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
Be sure to apply one or two coats of a
good wood primer to the particle board 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 may be used
outside because it is an automotive grade
resin. But do not use on surfaces which may be
submerged in water
What
can't GIANI
be used it on ?
- Sink
bowls -No
- Bathtubs -
No
- Shower walls and 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 SOS or Brillo pads to remove any old
grease, dirt or wax and rinse off the cleaner with a damp
cloth a few times.
Do not use any other cleaner because it may
leave a residue.
b) Mask off your backsplash, sink and dishwasher.
Be sure to use 3M's Painters 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 caulk
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! .
. .
Special Note - You may
use the GIANI Primer as a black mineral
color
Yes, you may use the GIANI IronCore
Black Primer as a mineral color and sponge it over your wet
or dry Minerals if you need to bring more of the black color
back into your granite style.
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 12 hours and
then apply the GIANI Topcoat.
Failure to use water-based acrylics and to wait the
full 12 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.
If your GIANI Granite ever receives a
chip because of an intense impact from a sharp point - then
it's easy to renew! . . .
Simply follow the below quick five step
process . .
1. Lightly sand the blemish - and about an eighth of
inch around it with a very fine grit #600 sandpaper.
Then wipe up the dust particles with a damp cloth and allow
to dry -
2. Next, if its down to the original countertop,
then use an artist brush or foam brush to touch up the area
with the Giani Black Primer and allow it to dry for eight
hours.
3. 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 four
hours -
4. Finally, use your foam brush and cover the
Mineral touch-up and about a quarter of inch around it
- with the Giani Clear Topcoat.
5. Allow the first Topcoat touch-up to dry for four
hours and then repeat.
And - once its dried,
youre Giani top should be back in shape!
IX. Whats its warranty?
If you are not
satisfied with GIANI
granite countertop finishes for any reason,
download and complete the Return Form and send any
unused portion along with your receipt to:
GIANI, Inc.
2216 North Broadway
St.
Louis, MO 63102
314-241-3500
and GIANI, Inc. will refund you the entire purchase
amount, excluding shipping.
Note - if you purchased GIANI from a
store- then return the used or unused portion of the Kit to
the store.
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
