Alexandria, LA on Apr 25, 2012

Looking for a concrete product that I can resurface a lavatory.

Years ago on a Canada DIY a young man used a concrete product that he molded with his hands to cover his bathroom countertop and directly down into the lavatory. It looked like all one thing. He even covered stairs with this product. It was lovely and covered an ugly lavatory. I believe he even used this in his bathtub. Any idea what this was and is it available? It was beautiful. I believe the mixture had some type of fibers in it.

12 Comments

KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

My gut feeling is telling me this sounds a bit iffy. A cement based "skin" on these types of surfaces...adhesion, cracking and then some type of sealing to make them "clean-able".
Quikcrete makes a product that is used as a surface layer for bonding dry stacked cement blocks...it has fiberglass "fibers" in it to increase its strength.
http://www.quikrete.com/ProductLines/Quikwal... ...»

I have know of some folks to use this for its designed purpose...but the "finish" of this is very rustic and would be a cleaning nightmare.

on Apr 25, 2012 · Like 1
Pam D Alexandria, LA

Thanks again for your reply. They had given the brand of the product but it has been several years ago and I can't find the notes I made when watching the program.
Don't want a cleaning nightmare. Have enough cleaning to keep me busy. Besides, who wants to clean to begin with.
I knew I could get a good answer from you. Thanks again.

on Apr 25, 2012 · Like 0
Tee B Greenwood, CA

Talk to people who lay tile, it seems my husband used a type of sticky concrete on certain projects. It had some type of adhesive mixed into it. But i can't recall the name of it.

on Apr 26, 2012 · Like 1
Tee B Greenwood, CA

I remember it came in a bucket.

on Apr 26, 2012 · Like 1
Aaron Pendergast Design Lexington, NC

It was most likely GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete). it's typically sprayed, with a backing layer that's laid up by hand. The backing layer contains reinforcing fibers, which gives GFRC it's unbelievable strength and light weight. The possibilities are endless, with different colors, textures, and patterns. It's stain resistant, strong, and weighs much less than typical concrete. It isn't really a DIY project, there's quite a learning curve to turn out nice products. Most professional decorative concrete guys do GFRC.

on Apr 26, 2012 · Like 1
Pam D Alexandria, LA

Yes, this sounds lik the product the young man used. I have to say his finished results were beautiful. The bath countertops went seamlessly into the lavatory which he had put a plug in the drain so that it didn't go into the drain, and left the overflow hole open.
He then covered his bathtub and went up the wall surround. It looked great and made everything in the bath look larger because there were no start and stops. It just went on. I can't remember if ...»
he used some kind of sealer, like a few coast of poly or not. I woudl think he would h ave to to keep cleaning and staining and mildrew down.
Thanks to all of you for replying. I knew this was the place to get my answers. Love this site. You all offer great feedback.

on Apr 26, 2012 · Like 0
Pam D Alexandria, LA

Aaron, I think I can do it. I am quite artistic with my hands. I have done slate and granite faux finishes over ceramic tile and formaica and many other paint projects. What's the worst that could happen. I have to replace the lavatory and countertop? I have to do that anyway. If I try it in ythe future, I will post pictures for you.

on Apr 26, 2012 · Like 2
Aaron Pendergast Design Lexington, NC

Hi Pam,
Go for it! Like you said, what's the worst that can happen! I'd recommend a product called Surecrete Xtreme. It's not what I use, but it's geared more toward the consumer, and is a very high quality product. there are just two components to mix together, so it's very easy to get the mixture correct.
Good luck, and please post pictures!

on Apr 27, 2012 · Like 1
Pam D Alexandria, LA

Aaron, can I get Surecrete Xtreme at Lowe's or Home Depot or is this something I have to order.
Thanks for your answer and advise.

on Apr 27, 2012 · Like 0
Burco Surface & Decor Dallas, GA

Pam, I promise i am not trying to be negative nancy or wanting to stop you from trying something new. Im just trying to save you from messing up your bathroom. What Aaron is talking about doing is a method used to spray into a form not your existing countertop! Theres no way you would want to spray inside your home, its a big mess & you need some specialty tools to do it with. But with no experience, you have a near 0% chance of successfully making GFRC. None of the things you need are ...»
available at home depot or lowe's. The fibers are not just fiberglass fibers, they have to be special fibers that are alkali resistant fibers. However, in this situation you wouldnt use glass fiber. The largest fibers i would use would be PVA 15 fibers, along with other smaller fibers that are not PVA or glass fiber.
What you are wanting to do wont work well with GFRC, its not intended to be used like that. You need something more like an overlay, where much smaller fibers are used. Your talking about doing something more similar to cast in place than GFRC. Forget the Surecrete (you CANT get it at home depot or lowe's anyways) and any other bagged mix. If you are really serious about trying that i will give you a mix design that will do it, but you will have to order everything other than your sand online, and you will need to practice and get good with a trowel before you try and do it in your house or i promise you will regret it!
And be prepared for really rustic look, with lots of imperfections!

on Apr 27, 2012 · Like 1
Marg C Middletown, NY

not at the Home Depot. I'm an associate and have never seen the product.

on Apr 27, 2012 · Like 0
Pam D Alexandria, LA

Burco, thanks for the info and caution. I don't want to do anything that can be harmful to my health. I really do appreciate your response and words of expertise. I think I'll just wait a while and have a small remodel done in the bathroom.
Thanks Margery for your imput also.
This site is great and love having the best of the best give advise and imput.

on Apr 28, 2012 · Like 1