A Disaster (Formerly Counter Finished)

[crokett]

I appreciate all the kind words but it was apparently premature. The resurfacing was done a long evening the middle of last week and the pictures were taken Sat. afternoon when we thought the critical period was over. There was a risk that the surfacing would crack and separate. The wet weather Thurs/Friday helped slow down the drying as well as my keeping it damp. Well, the cracking started yesterday afternoon.

I already have a plan in place to fix but here is the question: The sink is intended to be an undermount and the opening is radiused. I am considering a wood edge treatment on the counter. Could I use something like teak around the sink opening or is it asking for trouble to have wood there and I should just go with a drop-in? If I make it a drop-in the sink I want to use I already drilled holes in to mount as un undermount. So... assuming I can find some bosses or something to cover the holes what is best to stick them on with. Will silicone hold them?

[LinuxRandal]

Looks good. Remember wax on, wax off.

[Popeye]

Alot of work I know, but a super looking job David. Pat

[jhart]

Nice looking job, David. Lot of work from the sounds of it, but looks like it turned out really well.

Question: Would you do it again?

[cgallery]

I think it looks fantastic. And I'll bet that, after years of use and maintenance with wax, it will develop a beautiful patina and depth just like wood.

[mschrank]

Nice job, David. I admire your ambition and confidence to take that on yourself. When it comes to concrete work, I limit my self to unexposed footings or things that will be otherwise covered.

[cabinetman]

Have you considered making a thin mixture of the cement to cover the cracks and maybe fill the holes? There might be a way of matching it up. More than likely, wood around the edge will be a problem, more sooner than later.

As for a glue, if you have to go that route, Gorilla glue, or a good polyurethane glue, or a product that I really like is called "Marine Tex". With the Gorilla Glue, it's judging just how much glue to apply so the foaming doesn't get rampant.

[JimD]

Silicone should work to hold things but epoxy would be better.

[crokett]

Mike,

LOML has approved edging the countertops in wood. That makes things so much easier for me, however I will still reform and pour the edge around the sink.

[Hellrazor]

David,

Have you used any bonding agent when you are trying to slurry the surface?

[crokett]

Mike (Hellrazor) yeah I did. Bonding agent, cement and water. It was ok for a few days then it started to crack. I spent a good chunk of the morning scraping it off. It came off pretty easily which is both good and bad. It was just really messy.