Countertop refinishing

[ZsaZsa]

While researching options for replacing our kitchen countertop I came across this company:

"After preparing the surface, we apply an epoxy adhesive. Once that has set we apply our multi-colored material, which gives it the rich look of a stone surface. (To see the colors available, visit our Color Chart.) Over this is applied a catalyzed polymer surface that cures to an incredible hardness. After the application, the surface must cure two days before being used. The final product is a durable, modern looking countertop with limited lifetime coverage. Your friends will think you spent a small fortune on new counters."

Does anyone have any experience or thoughts about this process?

Thanks in advance!

[Matt]

Sounds like complete BS to me. In fact, it almost sounds like the crap that one could find on the inside back cover of any comic book in 1970.

If you want a stone surface, buy a stone surface.

Also, and I can guarantee this - your friends won't think you spent a small fortune on new counters - they WILL talk about how crappy they look after they have left your house.

P.S:

Zsa Zsa -

I'd work on making those pancakes a bit tastier before I worried about the countertops.

[ZsaZsa]

I don't actually want a stone surface, I want the most pragmatic solution to replacing my countertops.

Thanks for the feedback, but I will at least see if I can get a visual on work that this company has done beyond what is provided on the website. Did you visit it before arriving at your conclusion?

What do pancakes have to do with anything? They are not in my culinary repertoire, as I only serve complex carbohydrates.

[Joseph Meehan]

I have never heard of it. So far it appears many others here have never heard of it. It it was really that good, I am sure we would know about it.

[Matt]

No, didn't visit it. But - I do know BS when I smell it, and over the years, have learned to not step in it.

Pancakes, Zsa Zsa are wha you have been feeding to poor Mr. Douglas all these years! Surely you havn't forgotten?

[ZsaZsa]

[willshak]

On 1/26/2005 5:03 PM US(ET), ZsaZsa took fingers to keys, and typed the following:

I loved Eva! She was the best looking, and most elegant, of the Gabor sisters. Even in a setting like 'Green Acres', her beauty and charm shone.

[Mort Guffman]

Those weren't pancakes they were "hots-cakes"

[m Ransley]

It sounds interesting , but get Real refrences and go see the work , after ageing

[Thomas Swanson]

lol:)

[meirman]

In alt.home.repair on Wed, 26 Jan 2005 21:59:36 GMT "ZsaZsa" posted:

You mean, I assume, going to actual houses and seeing actual work. I wouldn't settle for anything less than that. And nothing under 5 years old, but preferably over 25.** Find out when the work was done. Go see the oldest ones they have. It doesn't even matter if the owners who bought the stuff are still living there -- most people will let you come in and look if you ask real nice. And look underneath, via an open cabinet or if not that, just the overhang, to see what it looks like unfinished. (I'm not sure what a good look would be.

**If I hadn't had a gallon bottle of distilled water sit on my counter, so that it leaked all night, my Formica counter would still be fine after 25 years. (and now they round the top and maybe the bottom edge, so that would be much less likely to happen.)

The photos showed unusual shapes, which would be well suited for something like this.

Meirman

-- If emailing, please let me know whether or not you are posting the same letter. Change domain to erols.com, if necessary.

[ZsaZsa]

That's lovely dahlink, but what about my countertops?

[ZsaZsa]

[ZsaZsa]

[ZsaZsa]

[dadiOH]

To me it seems a new use for something old...30, 40 years ago there was a similar process for floors. Gave a seamless floor, didn't look bad (but not great either IIRC).

-- dadiOH ____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.05... ...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that. Get it at

[meirman]

In alt.home.repair on Thu, 27 Jan 2005 10:18:09 -0500 "dadiOH" posted:

Do you mean Terrazo? That had/has to be ground or sanded smooth with a big machine after it set. But it's very good afaik.

Or do you mean something that I missed that set with an already flat surface?

Meirman

-- If emailing, please let me know whether or not you are posting the same letter. Change domain to erols.com, if necessary.

[dadiOH]

No, not terazzo. What I'm talking about was a pour plastic/epoxy, add colored vinyl(?) chips, pour plastic/epoxy again thing that had a burst of popularity both with DIY and mechanics.

-- dadiOH ____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06... ...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that. Get it at

[RobertPatrick]

"dadiOH" wrote in news: [e-mail]:

Me mum used it on a small entry in her farmhouse. She applied it over linoleum. It looked good.

[ameijers]

It was called Torginal (at least the fancy brand was). Not really suitable for a counter, since the surface wasn't smooth or knife-resistant. The method OP referred to sounds like a fancy version of what artsy types and cheap bars have done for years with old furniture- paint it black, lightly glue down a layer of whatever will look amusing, and cover with a layer of casting resin. Seen it done with money (great fun watching drunks try to tell where their change stops, and the bar surface begins), mosaic made out of colored confetti made from cut up magazine ads (my sister did this with her old kitchen table), old movie/play handbills and tickets and such, broken bits of colored tile and glass, basically whatever suits your fancy and can be laid out thin enough. Doing this with a mix of various colors of what sounds like aquarium gravel or plastic casting chips would probably be pretty easy- just cover old counter with glue, spread out chips, vacum off any loose ones and repair bare spots after it dries, and then cover with resin. Haven't priced casting resin lately, but unless you can find a cheap source, I suspect getting a new laminate top would be about as cheap.

aem sends...