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Concrete Countertops are changing the way people design their kitchens and bathrooms. Concrete Countertops combine the beauty, value and versatility that only concrete can offer. SCP provides professionals and homeowners alike with high quality mixes, stains, sealers and urethanes for building the perfect countertop. SCP’s DURA-TOP Countertop Mix is available in 28 standard colors to match any decor, design or theme. SCP’s CHROME-ETCH Acid Stains create realistic marbled color shades on cured countertops. SCP offers several sealers and polishes to seal and protect your investment.
The Process: Dura-Top Concrete Countertops can be precast off-site or poured in place. For precasting Dura-Top Countertops, a mold is usually made from melamine board in the shape of the surface desired. The mold is made upside down because the bottom of the mold will end up being the top of the countertop. PVC pipe can act as knockouts for the plumbing fixtures and extruded styrofoam can be used as knockouts for the sinks. The seams of the melamine board should be caulked and taped to make the mold water tight. The Dura-Top is mixed and poured into the mold then leveled, vibrated and finished. The material is left to cure for 3 - 5 days before breaking the mold.
For pouring on-site, marine grade plywood, hardi board and/or durock can be used to form up for the pour. Many different edges can be cast using the Fossilcrete Countertop Forms or the Stegmeier Countertop Forms. Once the Dura-Top is mixed and placed, it should be slick finished. CHROME-HARD Color Hardener in the matching color can be applied to increase surface strength and to reduce finish time. Different colored color hardeners can be finished into the surface to create a multi-colored effect.
Mixing Instructions: Prior to mixing, dilute SCP’s Stuck So Good Polymer Bonding Agent 9:1 with water. 9 parts water to 1 part Stuck So Good. Mix 1.75 gallons of this diluted solution per 60lb bag of Dura-Top and mix well with a 6 amp, 1/2” drill or in a mortar mixer. Mix for at least three minutes before pouring into forms. The mix should be the consistency of a thick pancake batter.
Precast Application Instructions: When precasting into a mold, simply pour the mixed Dura-Top into the prepared mold and level with a trowel. Try to cover the bottom of the mold first, then layer more mixed Dura-Top to fill the mold. Screed the top of the mold to make sure the Dura-Top evenly fills the mold to the top. Vibrate the mold to allow air to escape from the mix. If a vibrating table is not available, you can use a small concrete vibrator to vibrate the mix.
Cast-in-Place Application Instructions: Pour the mixed Dura-Top into the formed area beginning at one end. Place the mix as you would pour concrete by filling the area as you go to the top of the form. Use a screeding motion to level the mix. The mix can vibrated to release air to prevent small “bugholes” that can occur in the finished tops. Chrome-Hard Color Hardener in the matching color may be applied after the bleed water has dissipated to speed the finishing process. Hand finish with a steel trowel. Finish time will vary with thickness, temperatures and slump but allow at least 4 hours from mixing to final finish. The Dura-Top mix can be stamped or textured prior to initial set. See the Veneer-Crete application instructions for more details on texturing countertops.
Breaking the Molds: Allow the Dura-Top to cure for at least three days before breaking the molds or removing the forms. In colder temperatures, a full week may be needed to ensure a clean break from the molds/forms. Use clean gloves when handling a precast top as it can be easily stained by dirty hands.
Touch Up Work: If there are any noticeable “bugholes” on the edges or surface of the countertop, this is most likely due to lack of adequate vibration during placement. To fill the holes, you can sift the dry Dura-Top mix through a fine mesh sieve or panty hose to remove the sands from the cement fines and pigments. Discard the sands and mix the fine powder with water to make a paste to fill the “bugholes.” Different color Dura-Top mixes can be used for this to create striking, multi-colored effects in the finished top. Allow the paste to dry for at least 24 hours prior to sealing.
Sealing your Top: To protect your countertop from staining & abrasion, it should be sealed with a protective sealer film to repel most common foodstuffs and contaminants. SCP’s Chrome-Seal 30% Solids Clear Sealer seals and protects your investment while simultaneously enhancing the final color of the Dura-Top mix. Apply two coats of Chrome-Seal by using a shed free, solvent resistant 1/4” nap roller. Apply two thin coats allowing the first coat to dry completely before re-coating. If desired, SCP’s Dura-Polish Floor Wax can be applied after the sealer has cured for 48 hours. The Dura-Polish acts as a protective film for the sealer that can be reapplied periodically as the top wears. Stains can also be easily stripped from the Dura-Polish coat.
Required SCP Material Components:
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