Monday, April 22, 2013

Concrete Overlay Liquid Membrade- DuraSeam

DuraSeam™ Liquid Membrane is a liquid underlayment that prepares countertop substrates for cement overlay systems.
  • It moves, bends and breathes to make the substrate and overlay act as one.
  • Use with wood as a seam filler before application of Micro-Topping or GraniteLook™ on interior applications.

  • Packaging: 1-gallon container, 5-gallon container.
    Coverage: Varies based on application. (See TDS below)
    Manufacturer's Video

    Thursday, April 18, 2013

    Concrete Countertop Sink Mold, Delta

  • The 'Delta' Sink Mold for concrete sink fabrication.
  • A sloping multi-angle style Sink Mold. The Delta Mold has a slight curve on one side of the length (longest direction) of the Mold, and a flatter side on the opposite length. Usually the flatter side is the back, or closer to the drain, but can be used either way.
  • Small style drain for bathroom lavatory size drains.
  • Create a seamless integral concrete sink and counter top, or form around to create a vessel sink.
  • Dura-BLU fiberglass Molds are reusable indefinitely with proper care.
  • Dura-BLU molds have the highest grade Industrial Gelcoat finish.
  • Dura-BLU Molds are made using the strongest commercial-grade resin, NOT out of GP (General Purpose fiberglass resin).
  • Each Dura-BLU Mold has an Internal Flange:
    • Inner Flange further strengthens and braces the Mold.
    • Creates a platform to screw into; securing the Mold to the form.
    • Allows clamps to be used to lift stuck Molds out of cured concrete.
  • Each Sink Mold comes with a disposable foam drain hole knockout. Additional Foam Knockouts available here.
  • Warranty Information:
    • All Dura-BLU Molds have Lifetime Guarantee against defect. This Guarantee does not cover misuse of the Molds (Dropping the Mold, Prying the Mold out using a screwdriver, Driving onto it with a truck tire... etc.).
    • Expressions LTD will not be held liable for any damage, misuse, or collateral damages resulting from use of any of our products. If there is a flaw or defect with a product, we will fix or replace the product.

    Tuesday, April 9, 2013

    Concrete Countertop Cast In Place Forms- Full Bulnose

    Cast-in-Place Concrete Countertop Forms, Z-Counterforms.
  • Profile Design: Full Bulnose.  Other Profiles Available- click here to see all designs.
  • Full Bulnose is also referred to as a Half Round profile.
  • Creates a 2 1/4" height edge to the in-place concrete countertop.
  • Each box includes 8x 8' Countertop Forms (96 lineal feet), and 6x 8' Back-Wall pieces (48 lineal feet).
  • Easy to set up and use, for both professional and DIY.
    • The Full Bulnose edge will create a tiny small lip at the top of the concrete, due to the thickness of the plastic form itself.  If this is not desired, either polishing the finished concrete surface to remove it, or troweling the concrete surface down to just under the height of the countertop edge will remove the lip.
    Application:
    • These Countertop Forms are designed to be attached to the cement board, which is screwed onto the top of the cabinets.  The Countertop Forms are simply snapped off when the concrete is cured, leaving behind the decorative edge countertop surface.
    • Please watch the video below for a quick demonstration how to use the Forms:
      • Step 1: Attach cement board (1/2" thickness size, from your local hardware store) to the top of the cabinetry.
      • Step 2: Cut the Countertop Forms with a miter saw, and screw in place onto cement board.  Use plenty of screws to ensure the Forms stay in place and can't move when you snap off the form later (once the concrete is cured). Tape the outside of each joint with duct tape to ensure a tight, waterproof joint.
      • Step 3: Place Back-Wall pieces across the back of the countertop area (6 Back-Wall pieces (8' long each) are included with each box of Countertop Forms.  Back-Wall pieces have an 'L' shape to them, and can be screwed down to the cement board.  They create a back edge to allow a screed to be run across the concrete, creating a smooth, flat countertop.
      • Step 4: OPTIONAL- Cut a 2 5/8" hole in the cement board for each faucet hole needed, and insert the Cast-in-Place Faucet Knockouts (sold here in a 2-pack) into the hole.
      • Step 5: OPTIONAL- Create a hole for a sink, if needed. 
        • For an under-mount style sink, cut a hole in the cement board to fit the sink into, use the Cast-in-Place Sink Form (sold here) to attach to the sink itself, and place the sink into the cement board. 
        • For a drop-in style sinks or cook top stove drop-ins, the Back-Wall Pieces can be used to create a square or rectangular area.  Styrofoam can also be used to create a knockout of any size or shape needed.
      • Step 6: Silicone all areas of the form where water could leak out.  This includes along the inside edge where the Forms are screwed to the cement board, along the back wall, across joints in the cement board, and around any sink knockouts.
      • Step 7: Fill form with concrete.  Pack the concrete into the Edge Form to remove any large air pockets, and vibrate the Edge Form with a palm sander or other vibration source.  Poor vibration will result in a large number of voids in the concrete edge- ranging from small pinholes to larger pea sized holes.  Sometimes this look is sought after, but if it's not, make sure to vibrate well.
      • Step 8: Allow concrete to cure (usually a few days).  Remove and tape from the joints.   Sand off any excess concrete from the top corners (where concrete meets the Countertop Forms) with a Diamond Sanding Foam Pad (sold here) or a Flexible Diamond Sanding Strip (sold here).
      • Step 9: Remove Countertop Forms by simply pulling them away from the concrete, which will snap the Edge Form off, leaving the concrete countertop.
      • Step 10: OPTIONAL- Polish concrete using diamond polishing pads.  Cast-in-Place concrete will usually have some unevenness to it, which can be lightly polished off using Dry Polishing Pads (sold here), usually grits 50,100,200 is sufficient.  If polishing down to expose more aggregate, consider using Wet Polishing Pads (sold here).
      • Step 11: Any surface or edge pinholes and voids in the concrete can be filled with a Cement Slurry (sold here).
      • Steps 12,13,14... Concrete can be stained (stains sold here) if desired.  Concrete Countertop Sealers can be applied once the concrete is dry (sealers sold here).  

    FAQ:

    Q. What are the Z-Counterforms made of?
    A. Z-Counterforms are made of a proprietary mix of P.V.C.

    Q. Will the Z-Counterforms warp from the concrete?
    A. No, forms are approximately 3mm thick to ensure a stable form even after the concrete is poured.

    Q. How do I make corners?
    A. Corners are simply mitered with an ordinary miter box. Any angle can be easily achieved.

    Q. Does concrete adhere to the Z-Counterform?
    A. 
    No, concrete will not adhere to the inside of the Z-Counterform. The forms are polished to a gloss finish so the concrete edge will mirror the form when it is snapped off.

    Q. Are Z-Counterforms re-useable?
    A. No, because the tab under the concrete top stays in place when you snap off the Z-Counterform.

    Tuesday, April 2, 2013

    New! Concrete Coating Overlay- Granite Look Kit

  • GraniteLook™ is a product that is mixed with Liquid Colorants to transform your countertop or floor into a beautiful granite style surface.
  • This GraniteLook Kit includes the base products needed to create approx. 60 sq. ft.
    • Included in each kit is 20lbs of Micro-Tek™ RG, 20lbs of Micro-Tek™ SG White, 1
      gallon of GraniteLook™, 4oz each of 7 different C-Series™ Liquid Colorants, 1 quart of
      DuraSeam™, 15ft of polyester fiber tape, and an instructional DVD.
  • GraniteLook is mixed into small spray bottles with the Liquid Colorants, and spritzed onto the cement surface. Using multiple colors creates a very realistic granite look, and can be used to create 'veining' in the surface.
  • Other items you may want to have that are NOT included in this kit: Small Trowel (sold here), Squeegee Trowel (sold here), Masking tape & plastic tarps, 6-10 spray bottles, and paper towels.
  • Application Instructions: View TDS.
  • View MSDS.
  • Building A Countertop:
    • It is not recommended that GraniteLook™ be applied to bare concrete.
    • It is recommended that GraniteLook™ be applied over the Micro-Tek™ Micro-topping.
    • When applying GraniteLook™ as a countertop, remove the existing countertop and rebuild or overlay with high quality plywood.
    • Place a strip of the Polyester Fiber Tape over the seams of the substrate.
    • Cover the seams with the DuraSeam™ Liquid Membrane to reinforce the joints. Note: DuraSeam™ may be applied to the entire plywood surface for additional protection, if desired.

    Application: (Application videos below as well)

    Step 1: Microtopping Base Application
    • Begin by applying Micro-Tek™ Micro-Topping RG, clearly labeled STEP 1 on the bag.  Mix approximately half (10 lbs.) in a 2 gallon or larger bucket with 1½-2 quarts of water. Mix on medium speed for 1-2 minutes or until fully mixed. Allow the material to slake (rest) for 5-10 minutes. This enables the dry polymers to activate and for the micro-topping to work as designed. TIP: You are looking for a consistency similar to grits
    • Once the material has slaked, mix it for another few seconds and begin application with a squeegee or trowel. Once dry, (usually between 2-4 hours) sand ridges and high spots.  60 grit Diamond Hand Pads (sold here) work great for sanding.
    Step 2: Microtopping Top Coat Application
    • Apply Micro-Tek™ Micro-Topping SG White, clearly labeled STEP 2 on the bag.  Pour about half (10 lbs.) into a 2 gallon bucket. Mix this dry material with 2-3 quarts of water on medium speed for 1-2 minutes or until fully mixed. Allow the material to slake (rest) for 5-10 minutes. This enables the dry polymers to activate and for the micro-topping to work as designed. TIP: You are looking for a consistency similar to melted ice cream or smooth pancake batter
    • Once dry, (usually 30 minutes to 1 hour) you may lightly sand any ridges or high spots with 220-grit sandpaper. Re-apply Micro-Tek™ SG White an additional 1-2 times, sanding between each coat for the smoothest possible finish.
    • TIP: When working to place material on the sides of a countertop, you may carefully allow a small amount of material to run over the sides. Apply the material with a chip brush or with your hand.
    Step 3: GraniteLook Application
    • It is important to spray a mixture of up to 3 fluid ounces of C-Series™ Liquid Colorant per 15 fluid ounces of water onto the Micro-Tek™ base to provide a good base color for the GraniteLook™ application. This can be done with a small paint sprayer or spray bottle. For best results, use an earth tone color. The Liquid Colorant: "Putty" is often used for this initial coloring. Note: Several colors may be used individually or in sections to create “veining” or other natural-looking variances.
    • Pour GraniteLook™ into five or more spray bottles (up to 28 oz.) Add two ounces of C-Series™ Liquid Colorant to each 10 ounces of GraniteLook™. Do not combine colors. Mix only one color per bottle. Shake well. Note: If GraniteLook™ is thick, add small amounts of water to achieve desired consistency. Spritz your pigmented GraniteLook™ solution over the Micro-Tek™ base repeatedly and at various angles, beginning with the lightest color other than white. Proceed spraying the solutions from lightest color to darkest. Repeat with all colors at least twice to create additional depth. Note: When spraying, use short, “popping” sprays. This will create misting and droplets that resemble natural quartz and minerals present in natural granite.
    • Let your GraniteLook™ application dry for a minimum of 8 hours. Seal with a high-quality durable sealer, according to the sealer application instructions.  UV Shield (sold here) is a great epoxy sealer that works great with the GraniteLook surface, and leaves a high gloss finish, but is only suitable for indoor use.  Outdoor use should be sealed with ProShield 10 Polyurea (sold here). 

    GraniteLook on Concrete Network