Nights and Weekends for 2 years (pic heavy)

[Scotzman]

I did zero grinding or polishing. I got a high gloss finish right out of the form. Concrete is a pretty cool medium. Not only will it take the shape of a form it will also take the surface texture. I spent more time on my form because I didn't have the tools to polish it correctly. The pics you seem of my counters are how they came out of my form.

You sir are gross.

[Popeye the Sailor]

You sir are gross.

+11ty billion.

[ducpainter]

jealous...all of ya.

[Speedbag]

Hollyshit that's funny.... When we were building it was called "the piss porch" 

I knew it. 

[Scotzman]

jealous...all of ya.

More kicking myself. I spent days wet polishing mine to get them to a shine. He comes along and "my just came out that way". Damn leprechauns.

[Triple J]

Very impressive...and nice! 

[cokey]

How did you prepare the mold for that finish?

[DucNaked]

How did you prepare the mold for that finish?

That my friend is top secret.  
I used a thin mil sheet of PETG plastic. It's spendy and hard to source. Well, not exactly hard to source it was hard to have it shipped economically.

Maybe I'll make a liitle how to and build a small sink. 

[ducpainter]

That my friend is top secret.  
I used a thin mil sheet of PETG plastic. It's spendy and hard to source. Well, not exactly hard to source it was hard to have it shipped economically.

Maybe I'll make a liitle how to and build a small sink. 

We can do it at my place next year 

I always wanted to be a television comedian.

[DucNaked]

We can do it at my place next year 

I always wanted to be a television comedian.

If you want to do it we should wait till your cabinets are in so we can get a good template to work from. 

[ducpainter]

If you want to do it we should wait till your cabinets are in so we can get a good template to work from. 

We can shop at lowes...

[Doctor Woodrow]

That my friend is top secret.  
I used a thin mil sheet of PETG plastic. It's spendy and hard to source. Well, not exactly hard to source it was hard to have it shipped economically.

Maybe I'll make a liitle how to and build a small sink. 

Yes, yes, please do. Pleeeeaaaassseeee, I really would like to put concrete counters in the house I build (someday), and not having to grind to get a shine would be awesome. Did you use the Buddy Rhodes books or materials, or did you go a different route. His books are the ones I have been reading to familiarize myself with the process, but I would like to know what you did. Thanks.

The Doc

[rgramjet]

We can shop at lowes...

Might as well get them from Ikea!  Youd better call me when its cabinet time!  I builds a mean one!

[DucNaked]

Yes, yes, please do. Pleeeeaaaassseeee, I really would like to put concrete counters in the house I build (someday), and not having to grind to get a shine would be awesome. Did you use the Buddy Rhodes books or materials, or did you go a different route. His books are the ones I have been reading to familiarize myself with the process, but I would like to know what you did. Thanks.

The Doc

I did not use any of Buddy Rhodes product. I'm not too familiar with his method, but from what I remember his system is unique. From what I recall his stuff is almost like a dry pack, if you go that route use his mix. His recipe for HPC (High Performance Concrete) is designed specifically for his method. His recipe takes the guess work out creating your own mix design. The only thing you have to worry about is adding the correct amount of water. BE PRECISE WITH THE WATER. Water is the key to making strong concrete.

I took a three day class about five years ago with the guys who own stonesoupconcrete.com .We used Cheng's book as a loose guide. They set me up with a basic recipe which I tweaked by adding some pozzolans to the binder (cement) and a superplasticizer to get the water content down. If you decide to make your own mix keep your water content below .34 of your total binder. And calculate everything by weight not volume.

I think my mix cost around $7 a cubic ft. I'm Guessing Buddy's stuff will by in the high $20's

[Scotzman]

I also used Chengs- I think his website came with everything and was cheapest. Book was really good and easy to follow, but still had you wet polishing.