Michigan WFO

[mfiore]

Re: Michigan WFO

What temps are safe to stucco? How about brick, stone, and mortar?

[dbhansen]

Re: Michigan WFO

I'm in the same boat, man. Just a nice day or two and I can get the roof tiles on. It's probably too cold to finish the stucco anymore. They say it might snow on Saturday!

[mfiore]

Re: Michigan WFO

It doesn't look promising, Daren. You? I'm really discouraged with this weather. I just need a few good days off. Every day off rains or is cold. I hate looking out the window from work at warm sunshine.

[dbhansen]

Re: Michigan WFO

How's it going Mike? Are you going to get that roof on before the snow flies?

[smuth10]

Re: Michigan WFO

Looks Great Mike!

[Bandrasco]

Re: Michigan WFO

Great job Mike!

I used concrete on mine as well but did a pour in place with multiple color batches in an attempt to simulate old multicolored weathered stone.... I'm not pleased with the results. I ground down too much trying to expose the different color mortars but while doing that I exposed the larger aggregates in some spots.. It looks like it has white pokadots on it.... Doesn't give you that 'Ahhhrrrrrr' feeling, ya know?

As always Mike great job.

[mfiore]

Re: Michigan WFO

This is the grinder/polisher I used. It's designed just for this, with a water intake. The discs are a hook and loop system that exchange easily. It took a fair amount of time. The edges were more difficult. When I thought I was done, my wife wanted the bottom side of the cantilevered portion done as well. I could have kept going to get a real mirror like finish, but I wanted it to look like concrete still.

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Re: Michigan WFO

hey mike.,,,
Very impressive

Mark

[Lars]

Re: Michigan WFO

Hi Mike,
The countertop looks really good! What type of grinder/sander did you use?

I just make plain old concrete surfaces, for the most part. Pretty rough, usually. Grinding a countertop ( even a small one) is a LOT of work!

Just put in the slab for a storage space to the right of my oven today. I am starting to feel the 'age'. (5) 80# concrete. Ugh.

Lars.

[mfiore]

Re: Michigan WFO

David,

I followed recommendations from the book "Concrete Countertops" by Fu-Tung Cheng.
I did the initial grinding, starting at 50 grit down to 400 grit the day I pulled the forms, which was 4 days after the pour. I waited until day 10 to do the polishing with finer grit pads.

[david s]

Re: Michigan WFO

Mike,
How long did you wait before the grinding ?

[mfiore]

Re: Michigan WFO

We also continued a little more stone work on the sides and front.
The nights are starting to get cool quick. I hope we beat the weather.

[mfiore]

Re: Michigan WFO

I put a small 1/8" flat piece of steel under the edge to shim the counter, creating a slight slope for water. A thick bead of silicone caulk around the edge, and set the counter in place (very heavy).

Still have to put a sealant on the concrete. I thought I'd wait a little longer, to be sure it is fully cured.

[dbhansen]

Re: Michigan WFO

Beautiful!!

[mfiore]

Re: Michigan WFO

I used a wet grinder/polisher on the counter top today. Started with 50 grit, then proceeded through the series (50,100,200,400,800,1500). I'm pretty happy with how it's looking so far. The aggregate is really pretty, and it's quite smooth.

Here are some photos, still wet.