Pressed Concrete Finishing

stonecutter

I have a neat little fireplace job right now where I have to rip down some horrendous stone veneer and rebuild the raised hearth. I am building the hearth top with a hand pressed concrete top. I am doing this because the immediate area is completely lacking a good stone source. There is a small supply yard that has some stone (I got my veneer stone there)but no large flat stock. The pressed technique is a nice alternative for now...but I was wondering if anyone else crosses over into doing this kind of work. Also, I am going to seal the concrete and was curious what products you use or can recommend that are specific to GFRC concrete.

Of course pics to follow soon...

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DavidC

There are probably too many choices for sealers for decorative concrete. I normally use Xylexin for a tough, durable surface. This one has it;



Comes in gloss or matte finish. Kind of pricey but tough stuff. I'll have to hunt down the website if you're interested.

For really simple you can try a penetrating sealer and wax. This one was first treated with lithium silicate followed by an acrylic sealer then carnuba wax;



Easy on the wallet, easy to apply, but requires maintenance. Everything you need for this @ www.ConcreteCountertopSupply.com

Good Luck
Dave

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stonecutter

Thanks Dave. I have their website in my favorites folder...pretty complete shopping!

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Fundi

what do you mean by hand pressed?

Michael Olding

My take is it is something like this:


Over something like this:

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DavidC

Hand pressed is a technique used in some concrete counter top work and other decorative concrete. Normally used to create certain visual effects. The mix used would be on the dry side and hand pressed into your form. It leaves random voids on the surface which will be filled with a wetter mix of a different color.

The pieces I posted are wet cast, but the same sealers would be used.

Good Luck
Dave

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stonecutter

This is a counter using the hand pressed technique...mine with be with a charcoal grey with lighter veining.

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stonecutter

good scrip Dave.

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stonecutter

I consider that Faux finish or stamped concrete...I dont do any of that, only pressed or wet cast counter tops and sinks.

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Michael Olding

Nice counters stonecutter

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lukachuki

Let me know when you are going to do this and if I can get away I would like to help just to learn the technique. That look is fabulous.

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stonecutter

Michael... I didnt do this counter just found it online to show the look. I'll definately post some pictures of this hearth when I'm done.

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stonecutter

Lu..I'm casting the hearth in two pieces and just pressed one side into the mold. I will document the second side so you dont have to drive two hrs to watch me bumble through the process. I am no expert but it is a fun technique...hopefully it will help diversify my business.

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dom-mas

yes please

stonecutter

?

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dom-mas

yes please document the technique. I'd be interested in seeing it done.

stonecutter

Got it..but like I said I am no expert.

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dom-mas

you're better than I am, i've never done it, but I have an island I need to build at home and if it works for that I think I'll have new countertops as well.

stonecutter

Its a really exciting techinque to me because I always thought of concrete as boring....artisan concrete is far from it. If you are in a place like I am, with limited stone then this type of material expands your options. If not, then it still allows you to be really creative.

On this job I am using a premade mix by a company I stumbled across right here in SC. I visited their plant, talked with the owner and got what I needed. Cost wise it is a little more than doing my own mix but I can control it more...and since this is a paying job I didnt want to chance my own mix given my experience level. My sample is sound but this hearth is 8'.5" long...

I will share anything you want but you have to wait till I get this done so I can give good info!

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stonecutter

Dave, have you ever used butchers wax on concrete? I use it to treat my reclaimed wood table and really like the softness of the finish. I'm thinking about using it on the hearth after it is installed.

Maybe warming the surface with a heatgun then applying the wax will help it get drawn into the concrete and it will enhance the color. It's not like a counter where you need a sacrificial sealer on top of a regular sealer. What do you think?

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Custom stonework.

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