Bathroom Sink--Concrete Countertop

[SlappyWhite]

In all this was an experiment to try some concrete countertop fabrication and to replace a bathroom sink that was broken and leaking.

I used machine grout with a black colour added to it (I wanted it darker than it turned out). The mould was made out of melamine, PVC (sides) and foam. The casting was done upside down to get a nice smooth top and sides. I took it out of the mould after 24 hours and I wet sanded it to 600. After a month of curing I sealed it with some concrete floor sealer (I was not happy with this, next time I will try a countertop sealer). It is hard to see in the pics but the counterop looks like stone and has some mild veining etc.

The first pic was laying it out (it has to be backwards because the top is the bottom...), second is the finished mould. The fourth is the concrete popped out of the mould....

I made the cabinet our of Solid Oak and Oak Plywood. Stained Jacobean and varathaned (oil based).

Next will be countertops and cabinets to completely redo my kitchen, this will have to wait until summer.

 

[Fender1325]

Looks real nice. For a short while I worked for a guy who made concrete counter tops. Lasted about 2 weeks as he was a crazy alcoholic.

I know he mixed shredded fiberglass in with the concrete for strength. If it had long narrow areas itd be reinforced with rebar.

Anyhow nice job!

 

[SlappyWhite]

I skipped the rebar and reinforcement in this top since there were no really thin parts. When I do the kitchen ones I will do rebar.

I was thinking of using threaded stainless rods for the rebar, not sure it this is a good idea or not???

 

[Wardster]

I was thinking of using threaded stainless rods for the rebar, not sure it this is a good idea or not???

It's not necessary, but stainless all thread would certainly work. Nice job by the way - definitely something that I will try someday.

 

[Fender1325]

He used a concrete base, followed by another layer of crushed glass/cement mixture.

He learned I guess that the bare rebar can rust through and stain so he wrapped it in a shrinkwrap tape, and a propane torch would shrink/seal the rebar before he laid it in halfway.

Its especially necessary around the front and back of the sink

 

[JonnyMac]

James May from top gear had his own spin off show called Man Lab or something similar. They did a show where they made a kitchen sink and drainer from cast concrete...