Restore or finish concrete countertop

You can easily repair or finish concrete countertops, wash basins, water features and garden statues with epoxy. Providing a new countertop with a glossy coating or repairing a countertop with a crack? No problem with epoxy. Epoxy is also ideal for creating a smooth and waterproof surface. Read here how to do that.

Restore or finish concrete countertop

Do you have a concrete countertop that has been damaged or do you want to give your new countertop a nice finish? One of the best methods for this is to use coating epoxy . Epoxy for coatings is a strong and durable material that will bring your countertop to top condition.
Concrete tops can show wear over time. Fortunately, this can be repaired with the right techniques and materials. Below you will find a step-by-step explanation on how to do this yourself. Applying epoxy to concrete is relatively easy to do for a handy person.

What is epoxy?

Epoxy is a liquid plastic resin that, when mixed with a hardener, creates a strong, water-resistant surface. It is often used to repair damaged surfaces such as countertops, sinks, and water features because of its high durability and versatility.

How do you apply epoxy to a concrete countertop?

Step 1: Prepare

Start by cleaning the countertop. Remove all dirt, grease and dust with a mild detergent and warm water. Allow the surface to dry completely before proceeding.
When working with new concrete, it is important that it is completely dry. Allow approximately one week of drying time per centimetre of concrete thickness, although this can be faster in warm environments.
With old concrete it is important to clean it thoroughly. If the concrete has been outside and has become dirty, for example, use a high-pressure cleaner to clean it.

Use coating epoxy for this. Before you actually apply the epoxy, it is wise to perform a test on a small part of the surface. This allows you to check whether the epoxy adheres well and whether the concrete responds well to the treatment.

Step 2: Sanding

In case of large damage or deep cracks, you can lightly sand the surface for better adhesion of the epoxy. Use sandpaper or a sander with a fine grain and ensure an evenly sanded surface. Large damage or holes can be filled with epoxy mixed with dry sand. Mix the correct amount of epoxy and add sand until it is dry. You can apply the epoxy with the sand with a trowel in the holes.
After sanding, it is important to degrease and clean the concrete thoroughly. Use acetone or a mixture of water and ammonia, together with a scouring pad.

Step 3: Mix and apply epoxy

Mix the epoxy resin and hardener according to the instructions on the package. Make sure that the epoxy you choose is suitable for use on concrete. Choose a transparent epoxy suitable for coatings. Then apply it evenly with a roller or spatula and work quickly, because epoxy hardens quite quickly.

Once the epoxy has fully cured, you can then lightly sand the surface with 100-150 grit sandpaper, this will help to remove any loose sand particles that may have settled during curing. Remove any dust from the surface and then apply a second thin layer of epoxy. For this and ^any subsequent layers, expect to use approximately 200-250 grams per m2 . Usually, three layers are sufficient to achieve a beautiful end result.

Step 4: Finishing

Thanks to the epoxy you now have a beautifully smooth and high-gloss surface. Want even more shine? Then you can polish the epoxy with a polishing paste or sand the surface with grit 240-320 and finish with a thin layer of coating epoxy.

For outdoor use, extra protection is needed. You can then finish the epoxy with a thin layer of epoxy coating and use a UV blocker . In applications such as water features or concrete fountains, no extra protection is needed.

More information?

With these steps you can easily repair or finish your concrete countertop yourself. Whether it is a small damage or a larger crack, our high quality epoxy is the solution to make your countertop look like new again.
Do you have any questions? At itsOkay we work with several epoxy experts each with their own expertise. We are happy to help you. Contact itsOkay customer service or take a look at the Epoxy knowledge center .