01-24-2010, 04:18 PM
There are a number of ways of casting concrete counters, and poured in place is used as one type (see the first video link for a number of different counter finish techniques.
I have only done a few 'research pours' & have found that a very smooth surface for the base of the mold for an upside down poured slab, along with a vibrating table provides an almost polished stone surface that has withstood outside weathering for the last 3 years.... without any polishing
The smoothest surfaces we have found are polycarb & glass.... (glass can break & polycarb sheets can be $$$.... but we were using castoffs for both) We found that formica gives a rougher finish that must be ground down & polished for the polished stone look
One of the hardest things to do in the counters is to adequately vibrate - you can use a 'stick' vibrator, but it was a bit of a pain on the smaller area of a countertop, esp in counters & such.... a vibrating table works best (we borrowed time on one....). If you are pouring in place, creating the molds for any cutouts & the finish troweling are the most important steps.... If you have voids, they are easy to patch & can create a very interesting finish (see the first video for some very interesting void concrete work...)
Anyhow, hope these links help:
Concrete Networks link:
http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/...s-diy.html
Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imppzBYinp8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3-U_zMfIEc
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=...2162861273#
Glossy counter form building using polycarb & a solution to break down water adhesion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5gK_CcGOCs&feature=related
you can also spend time following many of the youtube links that are on each of the video sidebars
Enjoy!
I have only done a few 'research pours' & have found that a very smooth surface for the base of the mold for an upside down poured slab, along with a vibrating table provides an almost polished stone surface that has withstood outside weathering for the last 3 years.... without any polishing
The smoothest surfaces we have found are polycarb & glass.... (glass can break & polycarb sheets can be $$$.... but we were using castoffs for both) We found that formica gives a rougher finish that must be ground down & polished for the polished stone look
One of the hardest things to do in the counters is to adequately vibrate - you can use a 'stick' vibrator, but it was a bit of a pain on the smaller area of a countertop, esp in counters & such.... a vibrating table works best (we borrowed time on one....). If you are pouring in place, creating the molds for any cutouts & the finish troweling are the most important steps.... If you have voids, they are easy to patch & can create a very interesting finish (see the first video for some very interesting void concrete work...)
Anyhow, hope these links help:
Concrete Networks link:
http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/...s-diy.html
Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imppzBYinp8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3-U_zMfIEc
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=...2162861273#
Glossy counter form building using polycarb & a solution to break down water adhesion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5gK_CcGOCs&feature=related
you can also spend time following many of the youtube links that are on each of the video sidebars
Enjoy!