Re: SB: Re: Concrete Countertops

[Norbert Senf <mheat@mha-net.org>]

At 05:37 PM 2001-10-17 -0400, Robert W. Tom wrote:
>(snip)
>When polyethylene sheet is used as a form liner, the off-the-forms
>finish is shiny, glassy-smooth, requiring no further treatment to produce
>a finely-polished surface.  For a kitchen countertop, where the topside
>is the desired smooth side, one would of course, cast the countertop
>face-down on the poly.
(snip)

We have done this with success for heated bench tops on masonry heating 
systems. You can use a colored facing mix, and back it up with regular 
concrete. You can indeed get a mirror finish. You can also add edge details 
with molding. We use a fairly stiff mix and a vibrating table. An orbital 
sander (without the sandpaper) apparently also makes a decent concrete 
vibrator.

I once read a description of a process for casting simulated granite - 
calcium aluminate cement instead of portland apparently makes for a 
superior finish. White calcium aluminate cement is mixed in various colors, 
and these are spattered onto the face of the form, and then backed up with 
a backing mix.

Best ..... Norbert


----------------------------------------
Norbert Senf---------- mheat@mha-net.org-nospam
Masonry Stove Builders	(remove -nospam)
RR 5, Shawville------- www.heatkit.com		
Quebec J0X 2Y0-------- fax:-----819.647.6082
---------------------- voice:---819.647.5092
			
		
				



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