[spdrcer]

H!


So, years ago I poured a large concrete countertop for my kitchen. Built an inverted form and poured the whole thing. Took 8 of us to lift it into place...


While I used a concrete vibrator, proper mix, proper everything...something just didn't turn out right. I have some theories, but it doesn't matter. It came out with TONS of tiny bubble holes and it looks imperfect as hell. Well, it's this look that I have really grown to like. The issue is that it gets nasty as hell and I want to polish and seal it, but I don't know where to start. The holes are obviously a sanitary issue as food can hang out in there, and believe me, I'm not trying to pick them all with a needle...


It just looks cool, the way it's stained, imperfect, "holey;" you know, it's rusty...or rustic... Thanks!

 

[stadry]

too bad you didn't seal the pinholes w/grout back then but that ship's long sailed,,, proper vibration would've resolved it then,,, try scrub w/dawn detergent, dry well, & seal using food grade sealer

 

[huesmann]

How about giving it a once-over with epoxy resin? That would fill the holes. If you don't like the shiny look of the resin you could sand it down back to concrete, but the holes would remain filled.

 

[spdrcer]

How about giving it a once-over with epoxy resin? That would fill the holes. If you don't like the shiny look of the resin you could sand it down back to concrete, but the holes would remain filled.

Ooooohhhh, this seems like an approach worth trying. Being as how there are about one million different epoxy products out there, do you have any ideas or recommendations?


Further, assuming that I am really trying to bring this countertop into good working order, does anyone have any suggestions on how I ought to clean it? I would definitely start with a detergent wash to get all the surface level contaminants out, but should I go about sanding it? I have read so many different posts, write-ups, etc., my brain is a bit overwhelmed tbh.


Thanks a lot y'all for the good advice so far!

 

[stadry]

oscillating hand sander w/alum oxide then garnet followed by sand & finally steel wool

 

[Old Thomas]

Janitorial suppliers have products to polish stone and terrazzo floors. You could polish it to clean it and expose a fresh surface, then seal it. I would not prepare food on a surface that can trap or hold bacteria, though.

 

[stadry]

forgot this - IF you want a glossy epoxy surface, that's fine - they will all result that way,,, if you want a mat finish, add some flour ( self-rising, regular, or even bread flour )