QA

Quick Answer: How To Refinish Concrete Countertop

Can you change the color of a concrete countertop?

Adding color or texture to your DIY concrete countertop is a quick, easy, and cost effective way to turn ordinary concrete into extraordinary concrete. Color can be added integrally (mixed into concrete), or it can be applied after the concrete is poured through the use of stains or dyes.

Do concrete countertops need to be resealed?

Concrete offers many advantages as a countertop material, including being resistant to scratches and heat while offering a beautiful sheen. However, it’s also a highly porous material which makes it prone to spots and staining. To prevent that from happening, you’ll want to plan on sealing your concrete countertops.

How can I make my concrete countertops look better?

Design ideas: For ultra-smooth polished surfaces, cast the countertop in one piece to eliminate seams. For the look of white marble or porcelain, use a titanium-white concrete mix containing white silica sand. For a more natural, low-luster finish, hand sand the concrete or only polish the surface lightly.

What kind of paint do you use on concrete countertops?

Epoxy paint for concrete countertops looks glossy and marbled, giving your kitchen renovation an upscale look at a fraction of the cost.

How do you paint concrete countertops to look like marble?

How to Make Concrete Countertops Look Like Marble Step 1: Choose Contrasting or Complementary Colors. Step 2: Clean Countertops Thoroughly. Step 3: Patch and Seal. Step 4: Use Painter’s Tape. Step 5: Apply a Primer. Step 6: Mix Glaze and Topcoat. Step 7: Dip Drop Cloth in Glaze. Step 8: Lay Drop Cloth on Countertop.

Can you sand a concrete countertop?

Once the concrete looks dry (usually day 3) you can sand the concrete. This should be done to all concrete countertops. 200 grit sandpaper on a regular palm/orbital sander is good. You want a 200/220 grit finish on the concrete so your sealer bonds good.

What do you seal concrete countertops with?

Acrylics are a commonly used sealer. They come in solvent-based or water-based formulations (solvent-based products are often preferred). These sealers dry water-clear and are UV-resistant. Acrylic sealers can be brushed, sprayed or rolled on to the concrete.

Can I stain my concrete countertops?

Yes, you can acid stain any concrete countertop as long as the concrete has not have been treated with any waterproofing agent, cleaned with muriatic acid or a heavy trisodium phosphate (TSP) solution. The acid stain will not take on concrete that has been treated with these products.

How do you make concrete countertops look like granite?

Leave alone the countertop to let the primer dry for at least six hours. To give the shiny look of granite, sprinkle the included minerals onto a sponge. Then gently pat the sponge onto the primed surface to make random mineral marks. Keep the application random and natural-looking just like a granite stone.

How do you remove old sealer from concrete countertops?

The removal of old concrete sealer can be done in one of two ways: mechanical or chemical. The mechanical way involves using some kind of tool to physically grind, sand, or blast away the sealer. This method can be noisy and damaging to the concrete.

Do white concrete countertops stain?

Concrete countertops scratch & stain easily. This is especially true for white concrete countertops! Cement is actually a pretty fragile surface that stains and cracks easily. It is also highly absorbent and must be sealed before you can use it in your kitchen.

Can a concrete countertop be refinished?

Both cement-based and epoxy countertop resurfacing systems can be used over any existing countertop surface as long as it’s sound without significant cracking or delamination. Corian, granite, marble, quartz, laminate, tile, and existing concrete countertops are all candidates for resurfacing.

Can you use epoxy on concrete countertops?

Just use clear epoxy as a skim coat, to fill in the grout lines. For wood, concrete, or any other porous surface, you will want to seal the surface so that air cannot travel through it and cause bubbles in your epoxy countertop. Just apply 1-2 skim coats as you would with the tile countertop.

How do you make concrete stain look like marble?

You can also incorporate marble-like veins into your floor design by applying a clear sealer to the concrete prior to staining using an eyedropper or artist’s brush. The sealer acts as a resist and prevents the stain from penetrating the areas where it was applied.

How do I make my concrete patio look like marble?

How Do I Make Concrete Look Like Marble? Other than having a true marble slab, the most natural-looking and durable marble-like option is to use concrete Acid Stain. Unlike paint, concrete stains penetrate deeply into the concrete surface, producing fade-resistant, permanent color that won’t flake off or peel away.

Can you sand concrete with a palm sander?

If you only have a small area to sand, you can also use a palm sander, orbital sander or belt sander. Rough imperfections may require the use of a special diamond disc and a concrete floor grinder.

How do you make concrete countertops smooth?

We recommend filling in the low spots first and then applying a final top coat over the entire surface. Finally, you can apply epoxy over the concrete. This will fill in any rough areas making it smooth to the touch. You can add pigment or keep it clear.

Can I polish concrete with an orbital sander?

The simple and fast way to do this is to use a wet diamond polishing disc (100 grit or 200 grit) attached to a regular random orbit sander. Simply spray some water on the concrete to get it wet, and “sand” the surface using the diamond disc to abrade away the burnished surface.