| non bagged counter top mix |
| 04-14-2008 05:14:03 |
Member
Posts: 2
Joined: 07-05-2007
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Hi Guys,
You are my last hope.I have been wanting to cast my own countertops for years and now have the kitchen to do it,however,living here in the UK concrete countertops are virtually unheard of,hence,pre bagged mix is not available,and i am not rich enough to import it.
I have done some 1'x1' samples but had no joy,the sand i used was far to course.I have since found out it should be silica (kiln dried) sand,which is fine and i have just done another sample.
A few niggling questions remain.I am casting upside down in a mould then want to grind the surface exposing some decorative aggregate.How do i add aggregate to the mix,pea gravel,to add strength but not expose it on the finish surface,just the decorative agg or is that all part of the charm?
Secondly,do i really need water retarder/plasticizers in the mix?
I have tried all the contractors i can find online and the few here in the UK and have had very little help,i really don't think little old me here in the UK is really posing a threat to them.
Can anyone help me at all with advice on a general mix.You guys in the US are v lucky ,being able to get all the materials easily.Its like living in the bloody dark ages here,i get real funny looks when i say i am doing my counters in concrete,but then i guess that makes it extra special.
Thanks for any help
Andy
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| 04-14-2008 21:20:09 |
Member
Posts: 32
Joined: 03-20-2008
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Hi Andy
You have very good questions but it's been along day and I've got time for only one suggestion. So if you want to expose some stone say by a corner then grinding in the area is fine. But when the exposure is say a river running through it then grinding would leave a dip. I personally don't like the dip. To expose a given area I first use my router to rout out the river bed about 1/8''. Then I use spray contact cement to anchor the stones. (1st picture)
Now after you remove the mold (mould) the raised bed is ground down to expose the stone. Don't grind to aggressively or you will defeat the purpose of routing it in the first place.
The 2nd picture shows the finished top with no dips.
Paul
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| 04-15-2008 17:22:14 |
Member
Posts: 32
Joined: 03-20-2008
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I need to add something, after routing the meli, seal the exposed wood with polyurethane. I use water base quick dry, just brush on a couple coats.
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| 04-16-2008 04:57:12 |
Member
Posts: 25
Joined: 02-09-2008
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Paul,
Thanks for sharing your creative solution. I'm going to try it this afternoon.
Your finished piece looks great!
Tom
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| 04-16-2008 05:53:00 |
Member
Posts: 76
Joined: 02-02-2008
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hey paul where do you get the rocks,gravel,stones etc. for your river designs? only place i can find theses are at michaels and hobby lobby.the router idea is pretty slick gotta try it sometime.
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| 04-16-2008 14:23:53 |
Member
Posts: 32
Joined: 03-20-2008
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customc,
I collect from everywhere... rock shop outside Zion National Park, backyard, neighbor's yard, www.americanspecialtyglass.com, parents trip to Alaska, Dollar Store, and unfortunately the right rear window on my Honda Ridgeline.
Paul
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| 04-16-2008 14:29:59 |
Member
Posts: 32
Joined: 03-20-2008
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Here are some more Photos
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| 04-16-2008 14:30:18 |
Member
Posts: 76
Joined: 02-02-2008
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funny you mentioned the car.my neighbors and me were doin a little drinking and decided to shoot up a little remote controll car with a bb pistol .next thing ya know i had some tinted glass to put in a couple of samples from my wifes side rear hummer window.still havent figured out who had the bad shot.i havnt actually looked at the dollar stores i go through alot of one dollar cups and bowls from there i will look next time.thanks
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