Polished concrete tables.

[Mike D]

Re: Polished concrete tables.

splatgirl-

This will be more than a 2 bag project. I was just saying 2 bags because that is what fits in a mixer and how I would be adding the color. You can see my build if you want.
http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/8/ro...-14700-20.html
- I plan on cast in place for around the oven and a mold for the prep area next to it. I would get them both ready to pour at the same time (one after the other to use the mixer effectively).

Mike

[Mike D]

Re: Polished concrete tables.

Nic- (or anyone else)

Is counter-flow a dry powder or a liquid. I looked it up at Fishstone, is that the stuff?

Mike

[splatgirl]

Re: Polished concrete tables.

Powder. At least the jar I've had around for a few years.
Products: Counter-Flo - Fritz-Pak Concrete Additives, Dallas, Texas

[Nic The Landscaper]

Re: Polished concrete tables.

It's a powder, and you found the right stuff at fishstone

[Mike D]

Re: Polished concrete tables.

Thanks for the help Nic and splatgirl.

Mike

[Mike D]

Re: Polished concrete tables.

So I got my supplies, and I was going to try and pour a couple of test pieces for the color. I don't have any reference of where to start from.

-How much Iron Oxide would you typicaly use per bag (roughly)?

I was going to do 2 one bag tests to get an idea what the coloring would do. I will use a wheelbarrow to see how easy it is (if it works that way).

Mike

[Tscarborough]

Re: Polished concrete tables.

As a rule, most iron oxides will use 2-2-1/2 # per bag of portland per yard. It can vary widely though, so you have to test it.

[Mike D]

Re: Polished concrete tables.

I was planning on using sakcrete 5000 bags (80lb).
Following Nic's
2 80lb sacs of Sakcrete 5000+
8 oz counterflow
12 to 14 quarts warm water
dry color to taste, always use iron oxide based colors not carbon based.

And the Cheng style of method.

Mike

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: Polished concrete tables.

Mike,

Sorry - I haven't kept up on this thread, but have you heard of the Quikcrete Countertop Mix?
John

[Tscarborough]

Re: Polished concrete tables.

42x80# sack=1 cuyd, so your range will be 10/42=.23# per sack to 12.5/42=29# per sack of color.

[Mike D]

Re: Polished concrete tables.

-GianniFocaccia- I have seen that stuff, but what I have read is the sakcrete has a better aggregate. So that is what I'm going with (as well as I have all the stuff already).

Tscarborough- Thanks that is what I wanted, some sort of barometer to make a couple of test pieces. If I make mix one bag with .25# (1/4#)of Iron Oxide and another with .125# (1/8th#), should that give me an idea what the range of gray would be like?

Thanks for the help guys
Mike

[Tscarborough]

Re: Polished concrete tables.

That will give you a range. The general rule is no more than 10% color by weight of the cement in the mix, so to break that into 80# bags, it is 6x94#=564 of cement per yard/42=13.42# of cement per sack, so no more than 1.34# of color per sack, so your real range is 0-1.34# per sack.

[Mike D]

Re: Polished concrete tables.

So maybe more like do one with .25# and another with .75#. I don't think I want it really dark. How does that sound?

Mike

[Mike D]

Re: Polished concrete tables.

I did a test piece, came out ok. I think I will use a vibrator when I do the pour around the oven. Does any one have a good slurry mix? I am trying to test this process out as far as it will go.

Mike

[Tscarborough]

Re: Polished concrete tables.

An orbital sander makes a good form vibrator. By slurry are talking about a slurry to coat the forms?