# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 11:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/61 "2011-01-20T11:32:49Z")
Do NOT drop that while moving it…lol ---
**Author:** ![LUKE\_L](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/luke_l/32/7462_2.png) [@LUKE\_L](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LUKE_L)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 11:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/62 "2011-01-20T11:50:52Z")
:tup: Looks awesome Josh. Do you need to brace the floor in your Kitchen at all? ---
**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 20, 2011, 12:07pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/63 "2011-01-20T12:07:11Z")
> [@boardjnky4](#): > > wow, looks awesome!! > > be sure to post what tools and grits you end up using for the finish work on it :tup: will do. I’m not 100% sure on what grit i want to sand with. Basically the more coarse i go…the more aggregate i’ll expose. I wanna keep the overall color light…so i don’t want to expose too much aggregate. I’m thinking i will start off with 800grit \> 1500grit \> 3000grit diamond grinding pads. I made a little 12"x12" sample piece of concrete to help determine the final look. > [@breakstuff](#): > > Dayum… What are your plans for the sink bowl? Stainless steel bonded underneath? yeah, a single bowl deep stainless undermount. > [@Motocrossx23](#): > > Do NOT drop that while moving it…lol the 450lb piece is the one i’m most concerned with. lol. > [@LUKE\_L](#): > > :tup: Looks awesome Josh. > > Do you need to brace the floor in your Kitchen at all? I’m not planning on it…i’m only adding about 20lbs per square foot. A refrigerator is more than that. ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 12:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/64 "2011-01-20T12:08:52Z")
are you gonna use an angle grinder or something to polish? ---
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 12:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/65 "2011-01-20T12:10:30Z")
IIRC, you need to treat this kind of counter with mineral spirits right? Will that affect the overall color much? ---
**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 20, 2011, 1:28pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/66 "2011-01-20T13:28:20Z")
> [@boardjnky4](#): > > are you gonna use an angle grinder or something to polish? essentially. It’s a hand held 4" grinder wheel with variable speed and water feed. > [@Motocrossx23](#): > > IIRC, you need to treat this kind of counter with mineral spirits right? Will that affect the overall color much? Never heard anything about treating with mineral spirts. Once it’s polished i will put a sealer on it then wax/buff. the wax will bring out deeper colors though. ---
**Author:** ![fiend540](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bcef8e/32.png) [@fiend540](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fiend540)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 1:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/67 "2011-01-20T13:37:21Z")
> [@LAFENGAS](#): > > the 450lb piece is the one i’m most concerned with. lol. Uhg, the one we built for my grandma’s house was such a bitch to get into position, although being located between two end walls made it more of a bitch then your typical island style counter top. ---
**Author:** ![Beck](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/beck/32/28683_2.png) [@Beck](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Beck)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 3:28pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/68 "2011-01-20T15:28:45Z")
you can inlay me anytime you want, baby. looks awesome. you can do this for my house next year :tup: ---
**Author:** ![deebo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/deebo/32/5218_2.png) [@deebo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/deebo)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 3:50pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/69 "2011-01-20T15:50:47Z")
as already stated granite is heavier than concrete lol. there’s really nothing to worry about. we’ve had to move in 800lb pieces of granite into a kitchen before. it’s really not “that” heavy. just scribe the walls if anything is out of square, it’s bound to happen. no house is perfect unless you JUST built it lol how are you seaming this? or do you not have any seams. i forgot what your layout was and im not going back to check atm because i already typed this :lol: edit: nvm i see at the sink ---
**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 20, 2011, 6:32pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/70 "2011-01-20T18:32:17Z")
> [@Beck](#): > > you can inlay me anytime you want, baby. deal. > [@deebo](#): > > as already stated granite is heavier than concrete lol. there’s really nothing to worry about. we’ve had to move in 800lb pieces of granite into a kitchen before. it’s really not “that” heavy. it’s not the weight i’m concerned with as much as it is getting the “L” shape through the doorway which is also at the top of stairs from the garage. I’m sure it’ll get done though. ---
**Author:** ![mechanicalmadness](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mechanicalmadness/32/5022_2.png) [@mechanicalmadness](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mechanicalmadness)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 10:11pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/71 "2011-01-20T22:11:58Z")
Thats impressive! Its crazy how old school stuff like that is making a come back. Good to see too. And you should have “inlaid” a Lafengas somewhere…just riding the bandwagon thats all 🙂 ---
**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 21, 2011, 8:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/72 "2011-01-21T08:31:57Z")
^ i was actually racking my brain a bit with doing some sort of decorative inlay, but something that wouldn’t “date” the work and look tacky in a few years as styles change. I stuck with the idea of only doing the trivet. I figured cleaner was better in this case. Besides, as a first time project i was most intereted in getting the concrete to pour right and learn the basic skills before getting too creative. Kept it simple. ---
**Author:** ![walter](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/walter/32/7202_2.png) [@walter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/walter)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 9:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/73 "2011-01-21T09:23:31Z")
Looks amazing Josh. Poured concrete has become more and more popular these days. I’m sure in most instances when its DIY’d it comes out pretty flawed, at least when looked at close up, kind of like when people claim they can paint their own cars. Seems clear you won’t be one of those. I’d love to give it a try in a basement bar or something. My balls are nowhere near as large as yours! Can’t wait to see the finished product. ---
**Author:** ![turbociv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@turbociv](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/turbociv)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 9:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/74 "2011-01-21T09:38:13Z")
so what is the projected cost of a diy project such as this one? ---
**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 21, 2011, 10:56am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/75 "2011-01-21T10:56:20Z")
> [@walter](#): > > Looks amazing Josh. Poured concrete has become more and more popular these days. I’m sure in most instances when its DIY’d it comes out pretty flawed, at least when looked at close up, kind of like when people claim they can paint their own cars. Seems clear you won’t be one of those. > > I’d love to give it a try in a basement bar or something. My balls are nowhere near as large as yours! Can’t wait to see the finished product. Thanks… and “flaws” are pretty common with even the experts, but that’s whats nice about concrete. People like to leave the flaws just to give it a nice rustic, earthly look. In some cases, they are desired. I am pretty anxious to try a bar top just to get a bit more crazy with ideas…the time will come. > [@turbociv](#): > > so what is the projected cost of a diy project such as this one? A professional charges about $75-130 per square foot. I estimate that this job would have cost me about $6,000 to $7,000. So far my costs: Concrete addatives for strength/color/water reducer etc: $200 Melamine board: $100 Melamine Strips: $40 Plexiglass: $55 Bags of Concrete: $95 Bag of White Portland Cement: $25 Decorative Aggrigate: $12 Concrete Polisher and Diamond Pads: $180 Concrete Wax, Polish, Sealer: $60 Pink Foam Board: $30 Misc. Hardware (Tape, screws, brackets, PVC pipe): $30 Stainless Steel Flatbar (inlay): $40 Silicon Caulk: $0 CNC work: $0 Rebar: $0 Total Material: $867 ---
**Author:** ![tpgsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/tpgsr/32/7374_2.png) [@tpgsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/tpgsr)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 11:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/76 "2011-01-21T11:11:44Z")
> [@LAFENGAS](#): > > I am pretty anxious to try a bar top just to get a bit more crazy with ideas…the time will come. How much do you want to make one? ---
**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 21, 2011, 11:19am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/77 "2011-01-21T11:19:30Z")
> [@tpgsr](#): > > How much do you want to make one? that’s a good question. Obviously that would depend on size and craziness… but i’d be up for it to build a portfolio. I’m looking for a money making hobbie for my “spare time” when/if i move down to West Palm Beach FL. ---------- Post added at 02:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:17 PM ---------- just a little update… I worked on grinding the bottom side (now the top) so i can have a clean surface before I flip the pieces over and start grinding: ---
**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 21, 2011, 11:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/78 "2011-01-21T11:29:55Z")
> [@LAFENGAS](#): > > Thanks… and “flaws” are pretty common with even the experts, but that’s whats nice about concrete. People like to leave the flaws just to give it a nice rustic, earthly look. This. Yeah, we paid $8000(4 years ago) for the rustic, Earthy look. lol If my wife wasn’t crackin’ the whip I may have taken the time to do it myself. ---
**Author:** ![fiend540](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bcef8e/32.png) [@fiend540](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fiend540)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 11:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/79 "2011-01-21T11:33:22Z")
You should get one of the rubber boots for your grinder that has the hookup for a shop vac, really cuts down on the dust. ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 12:00pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156/80 "2011-01-21T12:00:27Z")
+1 on the rustic look [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156.md?page=3) [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-taking-a-stab-at-concrete-countertops/208156.md?page=5)