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How to Paint Marble

October 26, 2013 by Robin 31 Comments

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Throughout my house I have marble window sills, as beautiful as natural stone is, it just doesn’t work for me. I’m currently working on my teenage sons Xbox inspired room and when the painting was done the window sills stuck out like a sore thumb. I decided I was going to paint them, but my husband was full of protest. Soooo, while he was at work, I did it anyway, I’m a bit of a rebel. Let me just say, he’s no longer protesting my choice, I knew he would love it once it was done. Now let me share with you How to Paint Marble and get results that even your worst critics will love.

How to Paint Marble
Ignore the windows, they’re getting replaced next year.


Using this method to paint marble isn’t limited to just window sills. If you have a marble table top or counters this will work great for that too.
Prep Work
Using a 36-grit sandpaper, gently remove the glossy finish. Make sure that there aren’t any glossy spots left in the marble, the paint WON’T stick to it. It should look dull and feel slightly rough when you’re done. Use a tack cloth to remove the dust left from sanding. Then tape off the area to be painted.
How to Paint Marble

Priming
I cannot stress to you how important this step is. Priming, it helps to keep you from having to paint several coats and is a lot more durable than paint alone. When you choose your primer be sure that it is an Oil Based Primer, I know, we all like to stay away from oil based as much as possible but it’s the only way to go for this project, if you want it to last. Once you’re done priming, give it a good amount of time to dry before painting.

How to Paint Marble

Painting
You could use a latex paint at this point, but I suggest using a semi-gloss or a high gloss oil based paint, especially for table tops or counter tops, it’s a lot more durable. I would also suggest doing at least 2 coats, allowing plenty of time to dry between coats.

How to Paint Marble

So that’s all there is to it! Now you know How to Paint Marble and get great results!

How to Paint Marble

Filed Under: Home Improve/Repair, Homemaking Tagged With: diy project, how to

Comments

  1. Linda says

    May 20, 2016 at 12:35 pm

    Hey Robin, we are looking at doing this to our window sills now. I was so happy to see you had ventured out and done the job ahead of us. Love being able to see what you did before we begin. My question now, it has been a couple of years, has the paint held up? Have you had any bubbling as in possible moisture problems from the marble? Thanks so much for any info you can provide.

    Reply
    • Robin says

      May 21, 2016 at 11:02 am

      It has held up better than I thought it would. I does have a few little scratches, it was in a boys room so that was to be expected. I’ve never had an issue with it bubbling or peeling.

      Reply
      • Linda Southworth says

        May 28, 2016 at 9:18 pm

        Alright! So good to here! I think a few scratches after a few years is great. Well, the plunge we will take. Thank you Robin!

        Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

        Reply
  2. Linda Martucci says

    September 20, 2016 at 3:28 pm

    Would chalk paint work for this job? I have a serving card with marble inset I would like to paint.

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Robin says

      September 21, 2016 at 1:20 pm

      I’ve never tried chalk paint, so I don’t know how well it will work.

      Reply
  3. Robin says

    March 14, 2017 at 9:23 pm

    I know what you mean about ugly windowsills, mine are a gold and cream marble, yuck!! As for the paint it was all from a can, you got me wonder though if spray paint would work, I’ll have to try it. I used a brush for the small areas and a roller for the rest.

    Reply
  4. Lynn says

    June 8, 2017 at 3:12 pm

    I can’t tell you how helpful this is. My entire bathroom was just remodeled following a bathroom flood but the windowsills weren’t covered by the insurance company. So I now have a beautiful new bathroom with 20-year discolored windowsills. I’m going to follow the instructions above. Ne question – when I finish painting, would applying a sealer help with any scratches?

    Reply
    • Robin says

      June 8, 2017 at 6:58 pm

      I’m sure a sealer would help! It’s probably a good idea to use one since it’s in the bathroom. Let me know how it turns out!

      Reply
    • Jan sims says

      September 25, 2017 at 5:33 pm

      How did your window sills come out? Did you use oil or latex paint

      Reply
      • Robin says

        September 25, 2017 at 9:15 pm

        It’s been almost 4 years since we painted them and they still look great, a few little nicks, but nothing major. As for painting them, we used an oil based primer and then painted it with a latex paint.

        Reply
  5. Verna Grant says

    August 15, 2017 at 3:39 pm

    Can you cover with a resin epoxy to add more protection and shine to the high gloss paint?

    Reply
    • Robin says

      August 16, 2017 at 12:26 pm

      I really don’t know! If epoxy is approved to put over latex paint, then I would say go for it.

      Reply
  6. Steve says

    February 25, 2018 at 11:50 pm

    Question: Can I use a semi gloss paint mixed with primer to paint over my marble coffee table top? I’d be using black paint to cover over white marble table top. I can do what’s suggested in the article but I was just curious. Thank you.

    Steve

    Reply
    • Robin says

      February 27, 2018 at 3:50 pm

      I’ve never tried it that way, so I’m not sure if it would last long.

      Reply
  7. Steve says

    February 27, 2018 at 12:24 am

    When I’m painting my marble tabletop can I use paint that has primer in it or do I have to use separate primer?

    Reply
    • Robin says

      February 27, 2018 at 3:48 pm

      You can try it, I’ve always used them seperately.

      Reply
  8. America says

    March 5, 2018 at 10:15 am

    So I’m wanting to buy a dresser and night stands from someone very cheap, (they are horrible ugly marble material), About how long do you think it would take to cure?

    Reply
    • Robin says

      March 6, 2018 at 10:16 am

      I would say a week. The longer you let it cure the better.

      Reply
  9. Lori says

    August 16, 2018 at 8:16 am

    Very informative. Thank you. What do think about using wood look paint?

    Reply
    • Robin says

      August 16, 2018 at 9:19 am

      That would look amazing!

      Reply
  10. Lori says

    August 16, 2018 at 5:23 pm

    I’ve been considering having the sills replaced with wood ($$$$) but then saw your post. I’m going to try it out on a sill in a non-main area and see how it goes. Eek!

    Reply
    • Robin says

      August 19, 2018 at 11:43 am

      I’d love to see how it turns out!

      Reply
  11. Lori says

    August 29, 2018 at 5:37 pm

    I have a shower stall that has a ledge inside and outside of the shower? I would love to try this – do you think it would be ok even on the inside?

    Reply
    • Robin says

      August 30, 2018 at 9:11 am

      I don’t really know I’ve never tried applying it where moisture could get to it. Maybe if you seal it really well it might do okay.

      Reply
  12. Pam says

    April 19, 2020 at 7:10 am

    Hi

    I have just painted a marble hearth with eggshell paint after primer of course.

    I was wondering if varnish or polyurethane (oil based or water) would be worthwhile applying on top to add durability.

    Any help much appreciated

    Thanks

    Pam x

    Reply
    • Robin says

      April 27, 2020 at 2:38 pm

      Sorry, I have not tried using varnish or polyurethane.

      Reply
  13. Cheryl Washburn-Lander says

    February 21, 2021 at 2:11 pm

    I have a rust stain on marble around my faucets. I have used everything to remove the bright orange color but now am thinking of painting over just that area. Do you think a stone sealer will adher when done?
    Cheryl

    Reply
    • Robin says

      February 23, 2021 at 12:52 pm

      I’m not sure if the paint will hold up to the moist conditions. I suggest trying to use a fine grit sandpaper on the rust. I use it on my marble sinks and it works well.

      Reply
  14. Bhefk says

    August 16, 2021 at 10:56 am

    lol you found a method that works and holds up and everyone is asking you if something else will work. And every time you graciously say I don’t know, try it. I combine everything into one step and apply the primer and paint to the sandpaper? Can I use food coloring with flour and water instead of paint?

    Reply
    • Robin says

      August 17, 2021 at 8:19 am

      🤣🤣🤣

      Reply

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