How To Make A Quick Concrete Countertop For Vanity

domanicapital

I'd like to make a concrete countertop to set on a bathroom vanity. Can you tell me if these basic steps are right? The books and online guides have a long and complicated process, and I'm wondering if a simplified version will work?

1. build a form with plywood bottom and 2x4 sides

2. stick a few short round pvc pipe stubs in there for a fawcet and for a drain (assuming i'm going to put a bowl sink on top of the counter)
will i be able to remove the pvc pipe easily from the concrete?


3. mix up a bag or two of quikrete 4000 psi concrete mix in a wheel barrow and dump it in the form
(some online guides have you doing fancy things like using a mesh.. is this really necessary?)

4. smooth it out with a conrete trowel

5. let it cure a few days, remove the form

6. seal it with something (What should i use? epoxy?)

7. stick it on my vanity and install sink and fawcet

Will this work?

GreenEggs

I would say your missing a step between #3 and #4. You need to vibrate it if you can to remove air bubbles. A palm sander on the form should do it. If you don't have something to vibrate it with, tap the form with a hammer all over real good to remove air bubbles.

I am not sure about what to seal it with.

joasis

Ok, from my experience. Use melamine board if casting it upside down. Rip strips of the melamine to make the sides of the form. Support it on 2x4's across the sawhorses to prevent sag since believe it or not, it gets heavy. Caulk the seams with silicone to create the round edge. Make a cutout for the sink out of 2 pieces of 3/4 plywood and use pvc for the holes. Use 3/8 rebar where needed, making sure it doesn't lay on the bottom of the form (square mesh works as well, #3 rebar is better). Place mud (I die mine first) and VIBRATE and VIBRATE again. I actually use our big vibrator by just holding the head against the bottom of the melamine. Strip it 24 hours later and place it. After a week, polish it (wet) and seal it.