# DIY: Taking a stab at CONCRETE COUNTERTOPS **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [January 14, 2011, 7:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156 "2011-01-14T07:11:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![LAFENGAS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lafengas/32/7573_2.png) [@LAFENGAS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LAFENGAS)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 10:13am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/21 "2011-01-14T10:13:14Z")
yeah, you can do pretty much anything. From fiber optics to ones that I’ve even seen that looked exactly like wood with color and texture. ![http://www.trendir.com/archives/absolute-concrete-works-concrete-countertop.jpg](http://www.trendir.com/archives/absolute-concrete-works-concrete-countertop.jpg) ![http://www.majesticstoneworksaz.com/images/concrete-countertop.jpg](http://www.majesticstoneworksaz.com/images/concrete-countertop.jpg) if this wasn’t just a rental, i would have probably gone all out with it. For the most part, i’m keeping it basic. It’s practice for my dream home. ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 10:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/22 "2011-01-14T10:17:25Z")
yeah I was thinking I would rather get to know the process first (and inexpensively in the case that it ends in disaster) before getting fancy with it. At one time, I did a lot of reading on this, and it was pretty clear that if you intend to get fancy and/or order a lot of fancy material, it can get costly real quick. ---
**Author:** ![LAFENGAS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lafengas/32/7573_2.png) [@LAFENGAS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LAFENGAS)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 10:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/23 "2011-01-14T10:53:15Z")
> [@boardjnky4](#): > > it was pretty clear that if you intend to get fancy and/or order a lot of fancy material, it can get costly real quick. that’s goes for pretty much everything. ---
**Author:** ![TradersBASE](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/tradersbase/32/5321_2.png) [@TradersBASE](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TradersBASE)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 11:14am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/24 "2011-01-14T11:14:44Z")
In for finished product. You do such awesome work! ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 11:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/25 "2011-01-14T11:29:26Z")
> [@LAFENGAS](#): > > that’s goes for pretty much everything. it sure does ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 12:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/26 "2011-01-14T12:08:35Z")
When mine were done they made a custom template at the house. If you are using a CAD drawing and CNC router you better A) Hope your house/cabinets is perfectly square or B) Buy a lot of caulk. lol Either way I am sure it will be sweet when done. :tup: ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 12:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/27 "2011-01-14T12:09:25Z")
LOL, my house is option B ---
**Author:** ![LAFENGAS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lafengas/32/7573_2.png) [@LAFENGAS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LAFENGAS)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 12:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/28 "2011-01-14T12:24:58Z")
> [@Blue Eyed Devil](#): > > When mine were done they made a custom template at the house. If you are using a CAD drawing and CNC router you better A) Hope your house/cabinets is perfectly square or B) Buy a lot of caulk. lol > > Either way I am sure it will be sweet when done. :tup: I checked it and over the course of 10ft…it was out by a light 1/8". My backsplash is 3/8" thick so it will overlap any voids or wavyness to the walls. I had already planned on the possibility of the walls not being square before going the CNC route and made exact wooden templates that were going to be used for mold forming. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 12:27pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/29 "2011-01-14T12:27:45Z")
I knew you were on it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![jimmyfloyd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jimmyfloyd/32/3077_2.png) [@jimmyfloyd](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jimmyfloyd)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 1:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/30 "2011-01-14T13:19:04Z")
I can’t wait to see this. I’ve had a feeling this was the route you were going to go when you started your kitchen renovations. ---
**Author:** ![dozr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/41988e/32.png) [@dozr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dozr)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 1:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/31 "2011-01-14T13:26:35Z")
Awesome Josh - I bought all of the books on this awhile back, but I never got around to actually doing it. ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 1:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/32 "2011-01-14T13:51:24Z")
when will this be finished? ---
**Author:** ![RedGoober4Life](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/redgoober4life/32/7610_2.png) [@RedGoober4Life](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/RedGoober4Life)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/33 "2011-01-14T18:41:09Z")
neat. make concrete manbearpig next. ---
**Author:** ![JDMSIR](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jdmsir/32/7376_2.png) [@JDMSIR](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JDMSIR)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 7:02pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/34 "2011-01-14T19:02:11Z")
Awesome, cant wait to see results. Good spot for the seam, I believe thats were most are made. Thats were they put mine on my granite. ---
**Author:** ![Carnut](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/carnut/32/7590_2.png) [@Carnut](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Carnut)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 8:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/35 "2011-01-15T08:55:24Z")
Looks like franks equipment. Cool project. ---
**Author:** ![Joe](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/joe/32/7219_2.png) [@Joe](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Joe)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 9:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/36 "2011-01-15T09:36:51Z")
Nice. I thought about getting this done but for the price pros want I just went with granite. Interested to see results. ---
**Author:** ![LAFENGAS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lafengas/32/7573_2.png) [@LAFENGAS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LAFENGAS)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 5:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/37 "2011-01-17T05:40:57Z")
> [@Willybeen](#): > > when will this be finished? poured the concrete yesterday, they need 4-5 days to cure before being pulled from the mold. From there i need to grind polish and fill any air pockets (if i choose to). Tenetively i plan on transporting them home and installing them the following weekend, or about 2 weeks after being poured. > [@Carnut](#): > > Looks like franks equipment. Cool project. indeed. ---
**Author:** ![LAFENGAS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lafengas/32/7573_2.png) [@LAFENGAS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LAFENGAS)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 6:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/38 "2011-01-17T06:29:04Z")
Here are some pics of the moldwork: a recessed area boardering the sink: ![http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs884.ash1/179258_1531730864495_1571464210_31162193_6741093_n.jpg](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs884.ash1/179258_1531730864495_1571464210_31162193_6741093_n.jpg) the stainless trivet in place. I welded little anchors for a better embeddment into the concrete: ![http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs046.snc6/167664_1531730424484_1571464210_31162191_645727_n.jpg](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs046.snc6/167664_1531730424484_1571464210_31162191_645727_n.jpg) for the rounded edge, i used a piece of 1/4" plexi and slid into the CNC’d groove. Used some “L” brackets to prevent deflection: ![http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs009.snc4/33820_1531731224504_1571464210_31162195_4683024_n.jpg](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs009.snc4/33820_1531731224504_1571464210_31162195_4683024_n.jpg) For the inside corner radius’ i used a piece of PVC pipe and cut to fit a 90° corner ![http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs065.snc6/167533_1531729824469_1571464210_31162187_42604_n.jpg](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs065.snc6/167533_1531729824469_1571464210_31162187_42604_n.jpg) masked off all the inside corners for silicon: ![http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs776.ash1/166688_1531731944522_1571464210_31162197_6508884_n.jpg](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs776.ash1/166688_1531731944522_1571464210_31162197_6508884_n.jpg) ran a bead then spread it with my finger: ![http://l1.sphotos.l3.fbcdn.net/hphotos-l3-snc6/hs071.snc6/168137_1531732384533_1571464210_31162199_7121829_n.jpg](http://l1.sphotos.l3.fbcdn.net/hphotos-l3-snc6/hs071.snc6/168137_1531732384533_1571464210_31162199_7121829_n.jpg) pulled the masking. This will prevent water/moisture from getting into the wood causing it to swell and screw up my molds: ![http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1365.snc4/163703_1531731544512_1571464210_31162196_7718537_n.jpg](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1365.snc4/163703_1531731544512_1571464210_31162196_7718537_n.jpg) added the sink cutouts. Extended the recess to use as a water catch. Also i cut some foam plugs to use for the rough openings for the faucet: ![http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs742.ash1/163461_1531730984498_1571464210_31162194_3091061_n.jpg](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs742.ash1/163461_1531730984498_1571464210_31162194_3091061_n.jpg) covered the foam with packaging tape: ![http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs031.snc6/166137_1531733144552_1571464210_31162203_6311391_n.jpg](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs031.snc6/166137_1531733144552_1571464210_31162203_6311391_n.jpg) started laying the rebar: ![http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs074.snc6/168480_1531729504461_1571464210_31162185_656678_n.jpg](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs074.snc6/168480_1531729504461_1571464210_31162185_656678_n.jpg) stay 2" away from all edges: ![http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs052.snc6/168202_1531730144477_1571464210_31162189_5410592_n.jpg](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs052.snc6/168202_1531730144477_1571464210_31162189_5410592_n.jpg) supported all the rebar, trying to keep it a min. of 3/4" away from the top surface. Any closer and “ghosting” could occur and you’ll see it in the face of the countertop. I also added some decrotive stone which will be visible when i polish: ![http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs079.snc6/168923_1531733744567_1571464210_31162206_5718820_n.jpg](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs079.snc6/168923_1531733744567_1571464210_31162206_5718820_n.jpg) ![http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs800.ash1/169030_1531734304581_1571464210_31162210_1373161_n.jpg](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs800.ash1/169030_1531734304581_1571464210_31162210_1373161_n.jpg) Also made a little “overflow box” mold so i could practice my mold removal and polsihing on a sacraficial piece. ![http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1362.snc4/163403_1531734784593_1571464210_31162213_2228458_n.jpg](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1362.snc4/163403_1531734784593_1571464210_31162213_2228458_n.jpg) everything set and ready for pour: ![http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs773.ash1/166355_1531729144452_1571464210_31162184_7567578_n.jpg](http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs773.ash1/166355_1531729144452_1571464210_31162184_7567578_n.jpg) I poured the concrete yesterday but have no pictures because it was all very timely and needed my full attention. But i will post some of them setting up later. Besides my hands being sore as hell…everything went fairly smoothly. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 6:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/39 "2011-01-17T06:32:32Z")
This is really interesting, i had no idea this was a new trend but it definitely looks like a fun project. ---
**Author:** ![ieatpaint](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ieatpaint/32/7311_2.png) [@ieatpaint](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ieatpaint)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 7:14am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/40 "2011-01-17T07:14:10Z")
Did you rent the tool to vibrate air bubbles out or use something else? [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156.md?page=3)