How to make artificial “granite” from cement, water and polystyrene foam

For a number of reasons, natural materials for construction and finishing work often turn out to be unacceptable. Therefore, new technologies are being developed to produce alternative solutions that allow design projects to be realized. Let's consider one of them - liquid stone. Let's get acquainted with the general characteristics of the material, how it differs from its acrylic counterpart and how you can decorate various structures.

Using liquid stone in the kitchen interior Source stoneleader.ru

Caring for liquid granite

In order for bathtubs made of cast marble and liquid granite to please the eye for a long time, it must be properly cared for.

1. You should not cut food on a surface covered with liquid granite, otherwise scratches will appear. They can be repaired, but this will lead to rapid wear of the surface.
2. Hot mugs, plates, pots and other utensils should not be placed on countertops coated with liquid stone. High temperature may damage the surface. You should also not pour hot water into sinks made of this material. The temperature should not exceed 80 degrees, and not lower than -50.
3. The surface should be cleaned with a soft towel or sponge without an abrasive layer. To make the coating last longer, you can use polish.
4. Liquid granite sinks can be cleaned with products containing chlorine. This will help update the appearance. If the surface is matte, it is better to use gel cleaning products. They are applied for a few minutes, then washed off with a sponge.

Photos of washable wallpaper for the kitchen can be seen here.

conclusions

When caring for liquid granite, as well as decorative plaster in the bathroom, you should take a responsible approach to the choice of cleaning products, otherwise it will quickly wear out and become deformed. Another disadvantage of using stone is the low degree of adhesion of the resin to the surface, so bubbles and peeling may occur. To prevent this, you do not need to treat the surface. The unreasonably inflated price of the stone is a disadvantage for buyers. Manufacturers overestimate it, citing production time, hazardous working conditions and labor costs.

Peculiarities

• The color of the soil does not affect the color of the liquid stone;
• Pleasant to the touch;
• The material is non-toxic, odorless;
• Moisture resistance is achieved by adding a hardener;
• Does not lose its appearance over time, is durable - the service life of the products is more than 25 years;
• It is easy to remove dirt from the surface;
• When temperature changes, a product made of liquid stone does not lose its shape and properties.

Components for liquid stone:

• Plasticine;
• Fiberglass;
• Chemical resin;
• Filler;
• Hardener;
• Acetone;
• Calcinitis;
• Gelcoat;
• Hot melt adhesive;
• Chipboard, fibreboard.

Repair of artificial stone countertops

The material is aesthetically attractive, looks original, but requires careful handling. Even careful use of the countertop sometimes leads to various damage appearing on it over time.

You can repair your stone countertop yourself.

As already mentioned, artificial stone is easy to repair or restore. This will require a minimum of time and no special skills are required.

Crack repair

If cracks or chips are noticeable on the surface, first degrease the deformed areas. Then you will need a two-component glue, which is used to fill the crack itself.

Stone countertops are quite durable.

After waiting for it to harden, you should grind it, then carefully polish the tabletop by hand. In this way, it is possible to restore the beauty and original appearance.

Scratches

The appearance of stains and shallow scratches on the surface does not look aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, it is better not to delay in eliminating this problem. You will need a piece of sandpaper with which you can quickly sand the countertop.

It is recommended to first use coarse-grained material, then go through with fine-grained material. Some experts advise additional polishing of the stone using a drill with a felt attachment. The result is a smooth, even surface without scratches.

Blisters and spots

In addition to any chips, the surface may sometimes swell. In this case, a router will help out, with which you need to cut out the problem area. Then you will need a liquid stone for the patch; it must be poured into the place where part of the swelling was cut out. After hardening, polishing and grinding are also performed.

A real decoration of the kitchen will be a countertop made of artificial liquid stone, made by yourself. This product will last for many years, delighting you with its original appearance. At the same time, working on such a surface is a pleasure. It is easy to care for this product, just wipe with a sponge.

Take care of the countertop to avoid blisters and scratches.

If cracks or scratches appear, the material allows you to restore the coating yourself using a two-component adhesive. Also, regular sanding and polishing will help restore the original appearance.

Stone casting

Later, while walking around St. Petersburg, mainly in the area of ​​Nevsky Prospekt, I found out that stone casting technology was used in many construction projects.
That is, it was quite widespread, and therefore cheap. At the same time, the foundations of many houses, pedestals of monuments, and many elements of stone embankments and bridges were cast using this technology. Stone foundry technology

(
stone casting
,
geopolymer concrete
, indistinguishable from real stone, etc.) - a process of technogenic influence on stone unknown to science, as a result of which the state of aggregation changes from solid to liquid and it can be poured into formwork, giving the material bizarre shapes of columns and obelisks , flights of stairs, statues and other architectural delights. Another optional option, closer to reality, is that crushed pieces of natural stone are used in casting and glued together with a certain binder like concrete. In any case, according to adherents of this theory, the original material turns after hardening into a substance indistinguishable (even by petrography/lithology) in texture and texture from natural stone.

The “betonoids” see the benefits of this method of making artifacts in the fact that there is no need to move huge masses of stone blanks using steamy steam using the “push-pull” method and you can gradually, without straining, cast the required object on the spot, no matter how huge it may be; no need to chisel granite with copper chisels; obtaining automatic polishing of the surface of the artifact after casting and removal of formwork.

Types of liquid stone

Depending on what material is used as a binder and on the proportion of quartz chips directly in it, artificial stone is divided into two types: quartzite and acrylic stone.

Quartzite kitchen countertops are resistant to high temperatures.

Acrylic stone is characterized by durability in use.

Quartzite (agglomerate)

Includes:

1. K vartz crumb (at least 9/10 shares of the total mass);
2. Coloring pigments (the final color of the countertop varies depending on their combination with the shade of quartz chips);
3. Polyester resin as a binder.

When they talk about the exact similarity of the qualities of polished granite with the qualities of artificial stone, they mean precisely this variety - quartzite.

Such a high content of the mineral component is achieved through a complex production process - vacuum high-temperature pressing of components. This results in an extremely durable material structure. The tabletop is not exposed to high temperatures that can occur in everyday life.

A boiling kettle or a hot frying pan set aside, or a lighted match or cigarette accidentally dropped will not leave a trace on the surface of the quartzite.

And it is clear that this version of the countertop cannot be made independently at home. The parts of the general design cannot be glued together. They are joined as a result of precise dimensional adjustment.

Quartzite (agglomerate) as a material for countertops will be very expensive for the buyer. However, in this case the quality fully corresponds to the price.

Acrylic liquid stone

The composition of this type of artificial stone is characterized by a high content of acrylic resin as a binder material, and, accordingly, a small proportion of mineral filler.

An acrylic worktop will easily fit into any design style of the kitchen.

The material also has its pros and cons.

• Due to the composition being full of acrylic, the tabletop will be less “afraid” of chipping.
• Low thermal conductivity creates a warm effect to the touch.
• Scratches accidentally left by a sharp object can be easily removed using sandpaper and GOI grinding paste.

However, the relatively low cost of materials and the absence of a complex technological component in the production process turn making acrylic artificial stone with your own hands into an entertaining and simple job.

And now granite is being cast. And in the 19th century, the Russians had the most modern technologies for casting granite

And now they are casting balls on the Neva and vases at the Moskovsky Station.
It is very nice to know that what I have been explaining for five years is gradually reaching everyone! Here’s a repost: the person also realized that it was all cast. and if the opinions coincide, it will soon look like the truth. but how to prove all this - that is the question. I just know it.

Monolithic steps of the Monument to Nicholas I. This monument could not be dismantled and was left. Writes koparev (koparev) https://koparev.livejournal.com/232491.html 2016-05-24 23:59:00

People in the Middle Ages successfully produced artificial granite and marble, or Megaliths.

The sculpture of this girl is located in the Vorontsov Palace (South Coast of Crimea). What technology was used to create this sculpture? Was it really created from a single piece of marble? How did you get curls on her head?

Here is a column in Palmyra. It is larger in size than the columns of St. Isaac's Cathedral. How did the ancients create this miracle?

Here is the base of this column. How did a sandstone core end up inside a granite column? Is it really possible that rocks were deposited like this at the quarry site? The sandstone appears to be covered with granite, like plaster that has been carefully polished after it has hardened. Is it possible to make a material like granite soft?

Was this sculpture really created using a chisel and a hammer? This sculpture was CAST.

Do you believe that the Sphinx was carved from solid rock? Then why is his head darker than his body? Isn't it cast from concrete mortar? Of course, it is cast from geopolymer concrete. Several centuries ago, our ancestors already knew what concrete mortar was. Moreover, in the times of “Antiquity” they could create artificial granite and marble. The fact that in the Middle Ages (and even in “Antiquity”) artificial granite and marble could be successfully produced was written in G. Brodersen’s book “Handbook” and A. Iovsky’s work “On the Importance of Chemical Research.” It is very important to remind you that artificial granite is NOT DIFFERENT FROM NATURAL GRANITE. The same can be said about marble. No geochemist, having conducted chemical research, will distinguish artificial marble from natural marble, since they have the SAME COMPONENTS. Artificial granite was obtained in Antiquity as follows:

From 42. book. G. Brodersen. Directory.

Artificial marble according to Ostermeyer was obtained in this way:

P. 42. book. G. Brodersen.

P. 41. book. G. Brodersen. Download the book. Brodersen G. G. Handicraftsman's Handbook. Recipes. M., Glagol, 1992. - Reprint ed. Brodersen G. Handbook. - M., GI, 1932. : https://yadi.sk/i/XEg0GnAjrwm7d

Download the book by A. Iovsky. On the importance of chemical research. M., AN, 1832. - P. 9. https://yadi.sk/i/NINR5kZarxojo

Moreover, silt from the bottom of the sea was used as a building material, which, as a result of a natural disaster, was splashed onto the coast. It has a high content of silica and calcium oxides. Over time, as it hardened, this silt, similar to concrete mortar, TRANSFORMED INTO GRANITE. From such a “solution” the Barabar caves were created.

The seam between the layers of “mortar” is visible. The “concrete” at the top of the structure is visible crumbling and peeling. The builders left traces of some kind of mechanism. https://s.fishki.net/upload/post/201505/16/1534238/15.jpg

I would like to note on my own that the walls of the Peter and Paul Fortress and the kilometers of round curbs on the Neva and, in general, the granite embankments on the Neva are naturally cast from Granite. how the designer was then assembled. I even saw blast furnaces near Peter and Paul in the painting. And in Ruskol there is a factory for smelting marble sculptures. You won’t say that they were made by hand in every museum in the world

And why now they cover all the streets in natural granite, I can’t imagine.

They're probably just cutting the Budget, or they really don't know??

Review of additional properties of liquid stone

Polyester resin is usually included in liquid stone, which is a polymer composition. She is the quintessence of plastic. Various fillers and components give this material special properties. Standard colors number about 120 units. If necessary, the material can be given almost any color, which will remain unchanged for a long time.

If you add polyester resin to the ingredients, then the surface after polymerization will require virtually no maintenance; it will be enough to wipe it with a soft cloth soaked in a soap solution. In most cases, such cladding is used when decorating interiors, as well as in the manufacture of furniture.

The coating is polymer, it imitates the color and texture of natural material, which, unlike natural material, is more plastic and warm. It makes excellent countertops and window sills, which can be made to imitate a concrete or brick wall.

The stone does not fade in the sun and has increased wear resistance. They are used to decorate walls near sinks, that is, they are simply used instead of regular tiles. Despite the fact that this finish resembles granite, it is more affordable and lighter in weight. The products are environmentally friendly, they are resistant to mechanical stress and temperature changes, do not corrode and do not become scratched during intensive use. The structure does not create environments that would be suitable for the emergence of pathogenic microorganisms. Wood, metal and glass components are often added to the layer before the mixture completely hardens. One of the fundamental properties of this material is its low cost.

[edit] Betonoids

The columns were made in sections and were installed in the same way, then polished - this is a casting (possibly also sectional) - a rough column covered with granite plaster. They poured it sectionally.

Betonoids

(aka
litiki
,
nepromesiki
) - a dead-end branch of armchair experts who devoutly believe in some ancient secret nano-miracle technologies of granite and other stone casting, thanks to which the past civilization cast all the ancient buildings in the world - from the Egyptian pyramids to the embankments of St. Petersburg. A separate line is the opinion that the structures were cast not in ancient times, but in the recent past by some secret service for falsifying the history of a planetary scale. According to the law of the genre, these historical stories are kept secret from the cattle for many years, and only today a small percentage of “intellectuals” realize the real state of affairs, despite the total conspiracy, conspiracies and mutual responsibility of the dictatorship of the world government/ZOG.

They get incredibly excited if they accidentally manage to spot some kind of iron pin in the structure of an ancient structure, be it an authentic pyron holding the blocks together, a metal tie, or really real reinforcement used in restoration. They have a unique gift, aka Chudinov-style, to see “traces of formwork” and other “signs of obvious casting” from a distance of 10,000 kilometers on any stone structures, not excluding huge rock masses. Moreover, not a single litik has ever explained the “recipe” for making granite concrete so that the resulting concrete does not differ from natural granite at least in appearance, and an attempt to submit broken pieces of artifacts for analysis ended in an epic failure: in the laboratory it turned out that the Babolovskaya bath and other stone prodigies are made from real natural granite.

An attempt to “cast granite” on my own, using the technology from the sacred ancient book “Handicraft Handbook,” ended in an equally epic failure: the resulting shit never visually resembled granite and crumbled in my hands.

What is typical is that most political scientists are familiar with the process of pouring concrete only speculatively, at best, peeping from behind a construction fence or watching a couple of videos - armchair work is clearly visible in their amateurish statements and ideas about the properties of concrete, which are far from reality.

Production of liquid granite

The technology for manufacturing liquid granite requires compliance with certain rules. The first of them says that the production premises should consist of two rooms. The first is required for casting, while the second is required for polishing the resulting product. The temperature is maintained at 24 °C, ventilation is required.

The production of liquid stone begins with degreasing the surface, removing dust and dirt. Before coating, the base is washed with water and dried well. All damage and cracks must be repaired. At the next stage, a mixture of transparent gelcoat with granules is prepared. You need to use a ratio of 2 to 1. The first ingredient is a polymer resin. Hardener is added before spraying. The resulting composition is applied to the base. To do this, you can use one of the two methods described above. The surface of a new product must be ground and polished.

Feasibility study of the project *

The material consumption per 1 m2 of cladding of a product with a thickness of 3 mm will be approximately 6 kg of the finished mixture, which corresponds to 3.6 kg of gelcoat, 2.34 kg of filler and 0.06 kg of hardener.

Thus, to get started you will need:

Name	Packaging volume, kg	price, rub.	Required amount of material	Total costs, rub.
Gelcoat	25	9 250	2	18 500
Pigment for painting gelcoat in 14 colors	1	1 000	14	14 000
Liquid granite filler in the most popular colors with minimal granule sizes	1	320	30	9 600
Liquid granite filler in the most popular colors with medium-sized granules	1	320	18	5 760
Liquid granite filler in the most popular colors with large granules	1	320	18	5 760
Liquid granite filler in the most popular colors with granules of different sizes and golden inclusions	1	320	10	3 200
Liquid granite filler in the most popular colors with granules of different sizes	1	320	18	5 760
Hardener	5	1 850	2	3 700
Gel coat solvent	1	315	2	630
A solution of paraffin in styrene to facilitate sanding of finished products	15	5 700	1	5 700
Topcoat for a glossy finish	20	10 200	1	10 200
Pre-accelerated glaze	1	300	2	600
Release wax	0,8	800	10	8 000
Acetone	8,75	870	1	870
Polishing paste for removing deep scratches	1	2 200	1	2 200
Polishing paste for removing small scratches	1	2 200	1	2 200
Lapping polishing paste	1	2 200	1	2 200
Total material costs:	98 880

Artificial marble with concrete filler

The technology for producing marble using concrete is also very popular due to the use of environmentally friendly material and the ease of manufacturing products.

To create such a stone yourself, follow these steps:

1. Coat the dry matrix with a smooth surface with a moisture-resistant gelcoat and wait until the mold is completely dry.
2. Prepare a concrete mixture and add clay or slaked lime to it.
3. Prepare the filling. To do this, you need to mix 2 parts of river sand, 1 part of cement, 80% water and add pebbles to the composition. It is also necessary to add pigment to the resulting solution (1% by weight of the mixture) and mix the composition for artificial marble for 30-40 seconds. It is recommended to mix all components in a special mixer.
4. Add pigment to the finished filler (you need to add it unevenly to make the finished product more realistic). After this, carefully move the liquid composition.
5. Place the matrix in a horizontal position and pour the prepared mass into it in small portions. In this case, all voids in the form should be filled.
6. Remove excess mixture with a spatula.
7. Cover the surface with polyethylene and wait for the composition to completely harden at above-zero temperatures (depending on the thickness of the stone, it will dry from 24 hours to several days).
8. Remove the finished artificial slab from the matrix and treat it with a grinding machine and a special transparent polish.

If you are deciding how to make artificial marble yourself, then preference should be given to gypsum or concrete. However, you can purchase ready-made material:

• Ground marble (microcalcite). This raw material is made from crushed marble. This powdery substance of mineral origin is characterized by high strength and low chemical activity. In addition, the material is resistant to sunlight and does not absorb moisture.
• Liquid marble. In addition to marble chips, this material contains acrylic polymers, making this stone light and flexible. Such marble can be easily cut with a knife and pasted over walls. It is most popular when decorating irregularly shaped rooms.

Advantages and disadvantages of the material

Liquid granite allows you to achieve a complete imitation of products made from natural stone, and working with it is much easier. The composite has many other advantages:

1. Resistance to aggressive factors. The material does not delaminate, does not soften and is not destroyed under the influence of alkalis and acids, household chemicals. This allows it to be actively used in the design of bathrooms and kitchens. It is not afraid of ultraviolet rays or changes in air temperature.
2. Pore-free and hygienic. Unlike natural stone, liquid granite is not porous, so it does not absorb grease and dirt, does not create an environment for the growth of bacteria, and is easy to wash and wipe.
3. Strength. Granite can even be used to make stairs and flooring. It can easily withstand the most severe mechanical loads and does not crack from impacts.
4. Moisture resistance. The material is quite suitable for creating bathtubs, sinks, sinks, because it is absolutely not afraid of moisture.
5. Maintainability. If, during long-term use, a chip or crack does appear on the granite, it can be repaired without much difficulty using the same mixture. After drying, the “patch” will be completely invisible.
6. Large range and versatility. The areas of application of the composite are diverse; it has a spectacular appearance and extensive decorative capabilities. You can add different pigments to the stone to give its texture interesting effects (from slight roughness to a mirror-like shine).
7. Environmental friendliness and fire safety. The material is suitable for any room, including children's rooms. It does not emit toxins, is not flammable, does not support smoke and is suitable for finishing fireplaces and stoves.
8. Durability. On average, the service life of liquid granite products exceeds 25 years.

The disadvantages of liquid granite include its high cost, although it will be an order of magnitude lower than the production of products from solid stone. However, products made from plastic, wood, MDF, and porcelain stoneware may be cheaper.

Important! When using the spraying technique, the thickness of the products will be small (up to 4 mm), and this increases the risk of peeling off the coating if used incorrectly.

Price and quality of cast monuments: how justified is the ratio?

If the casting is made and processed carefully enough, then an unprofessional eye will not even be able to immediately determine that it is a product made of decorative and not real stone.

Therefore, cast tombstones are readily ordered. This explains the rather high cost of such monuments compared to options made from other artificial materials. In fact, it differs little from what is asked for natural stone memorials. Sometimes the price of a real factory monument made of gabbro turns out to be higher than for an analogue made of casting, by only a few thousand rubles.

At the same time, in terms of their characteristics and quality, works made of decorative stone cannot be compared with marble and granite tombstones. The fact is that their production technology is initially imperfect, and this often leads to defects that are difficult to identify at the stage of purchase and installation.

One of the problematic aspects in the production of cast tombstones is the inevitable chemical reaction when mixing the components of the composition.

Because of it, the synthetic resin heats up and melts the mold. To reduce the temperature, some “craftsmen” use sand that is not well dried. Such amateur performance leads to insufficient polymerization of the material. The result is complete or partial destruction of the monument in 1-2 years.

Others solve the situation differently: they fill half the matrices, and then glue both parts of the tombstone body into a single whole. The connection point is the weak point of the monument, which obviously loses the required strength.

Most often, the proportions of the mixture are simply violated. But even properly made memorials from marble or granite chips become unusable within a maximum of 10 years. They are not afraid of moisture and frost, but they do not tolerate heat and sunlight very well.

They quickly fade, crack from high temperatures, and lose their original shape. Sloppy, dirty gray monuments with almost disappeared engravings are a depressing and sad sight.

The short service life of cast monuments makes their cost unreasonably high. And what can we say about the fact that you will have to go through the entire ordering procedure in the second round, when the need arises?

DIY plaster stone

The technology here is very simple. The only difficulty is the drawing process.

• Prepare the solution
• Apply the solution to the wall - you can apply it by hand, leveling it very roughly
• Use a knife, chisel, palette knife or other suitable tool to create a pattern of masonry
• Go over the resulting seams with a brush to remove tool marks and make the surface natural
• Smooth the surface, give it a natural look by using a sponge or a lint roller.
• Paint the resulting masonry

In addition to the paint itself, to give an interesting texture, you can use colored sand and other bulk mineral components (crumbs of granite, marble, etc.)

What is granite polymer (polymer granite)?

This is another type of cast monuments that imitate granite analogues.

The components for manufacturing and the production process itself are similar to the production process of cast obelisks, with the only difference that granite filler is used instead of marble.

In addition, finished monuments are painted black. This makes them look like real granite - made from the popular gabbro-diabase.

Definitions

Liquid granite is an artificial liquid stone.

Its advantages are due to the fact that, unlike the composition of granite, liquid granite contains purified marble chips (80%) and polyester resin (20%). It hardens when an accelerator and hardener are added to it. During the process of chemical reactions, all harmful substances are released, and the finished product will be environmentally friendly.

Liquid granite can be used in any premises: apartments, offices, schools and so on. The surfaces for spraying are: wood, stone, metal, porcelain, fiberglass, ceramics, chipboard and fiberboard. Products made from liquid granite resemble products made from natural stone, because it contains marble chips, and you no longer need to use large pieces of stone. The color range of the material is varied thanks to hundreds of color dyes that allow liquid granite to fit into any room.

Manufacturers

• GRANITO-FARFALLA is a company engaged in the production of countertops and window sills made of liquid granite. The quality of products is ensured by materials and equipment from world famous manufacturers. The company constantly strives to improve technology and improve technical performance.
• "GRANIT" is a company that produces the decorative filler GraniStone for the production of liquid stone, and the ready-to-use liquid composition AquaGranit, made from polyester isophthalic resin and acrylic.
• “Liquid Granite” is a company producing countertops, window sills made of artificial stone, wall panels and door trims made of granite.

• MASTERCOMPOSIT is a manufacturer of coatings and artificial stone products using GraniStone technology.
• ColGran - the company produces liquid polyester stone in 150 colors.
• Hi-Macs - manufacturer - LG Corporation produces a stone consisting of 70% natural materials, the base is acrylic resin.

Read about the Fusion style in the kitchen interior at the link.

Products made from liquid stone have a beautiful, attractive appearance, are varied in color and have a texture similar to seamless marble. They go perfectly with any finishing materials. Quality, safety and durability complete the list of advantages of this material.

Imitation marble according to Van der Steen

First, prepare the water in which the gypsum is to be ground. Wood glue and resin are added to it. The glue is dissolved in warm water in the usual way, and the resin is dissolved in a warm turpentine bath. Gypsum is diluted in the water prepared in this way. In such a way that the entire mass is enough to fill the form. After this, the paints necessary for painting the marble are added to the mixture. Paints should be prepared in special vessels.

The marble thus prepared and colored is poured into molds made of plaster, cement or rubber. For even plates - on glass or stone boards. This marble layer is applied with a thickness of 4 mm. Then a layer of dry gypsum is sifted onto it. This will remove excess water used to dissolve the colored plaster. As soon as this layer of powdered gypsum is thoroughly moistened with water contained in excess in the colored gypsum, a thin layer of well-dissolved, but not colored gypsum is poured onto it. And canvas or rag is placed on it.

This is followed by a layer of dissolved gypsum, to which crushed crushed stone is mixed. This last layer depends on the thickness that you want to give to the object made from artificial marble. As soon as the mass has hardened sufficiently (after 6-8 hours), it is removed from the plate or removed from the mold. Wipe with pumice. And the pores in the mass are filled with dissolved gypsum, painted in the main color of the cast object.

Manufacturing technology

The production of the finished product is not difficult and not expensive; you will need several available materials for making molds and a grinding machine. Do-it-yourself artificial marble is obtained by following the technological process; just follow a few simple steps. The production of artificial marble makes it possible to obtain a finished product of the desired type, give the structure uniqueness, and ensure the proper appearance.

Preparatory work

Before any work you will need the necessary materials. To obtain artificial marble you will need:

• Filler that is selected according to the budget. Ideally, marble chips are used; for a cheaper process, you should pay attention to crushed stone, quartz sand or a cement-sand mixture.
• Depending on the recipe and the desired result, a polyester resin is selected, preferably with an alcohol composition, as saturated as possible.
• Important parameters of high strength are achieved by using a hardener.
• Prepared dyes give the product color.

Do-it-yourself fillers for making artificial marble

The materials necessary for the production of artificial marble with your own hands can be purchased in specialized stores in construction markets. Only after all the preparatory work is it possible to begin work on the production of a mixture of material.

Preparation of the solution

The solution is prepared in a special container. The prepared ingredients are mixed in accordance with the proportions and recipe; the main requirements for mixing are the absence of lumps and a homogeneous mass at the output. For small volumes, it is possible to use an electric drill with a special stirring attachment, similar to a butterfly. Large volumes are mixed with a construction mixer.

Preparing and filling out the form

Before making a mold, it is necessary to determine whether it is advisable to produce a collapsible mold, because there are designs that are made once. The main materials for making molds are gypsum, polyurethane, plastic and others. The strength of the form depends on the volume and mass of the solution. Flow production involves division into sectors; this method is used when several products are made from a homogeneous composition.

The forms must be pre-polished and material applied to prevent adhesion. The gelcoat is sprayed onto the surface with a special cup device, then allowed to settle until completely cured. After pouring the material, it is necessary to remove air bubbles. This procedure is performed manually by piercing the mass over the entire area; for a faster, automated process you will need a vibrating table.

Hardening depends on the volume of the product and the ambient temperature. Filling is done in small layers to completely fill the form. The appearance of cracks on the surface of artificial marble is avoided by sealing with polyethylene or other available material.

Processing of the finished slab and subsequent care

The finished slab is processed with a grinding machine until shiny. Final polishing is done with felt; for a more pronounced shine, a polish is used, the color of which depends on the product.

Subsequent care requires special care; aggressive detergents can scratch the surface and remove shine. Removal of dirt is done with a soft cloth or a special sponge. To maintain shine, dilute a solution of detergent with water. The shine is maintained by rubbing with a towel after washing.

Caring for homemade liquid stone

In order for furniture, plumbing fixtures or decorative items made from composite to last a long time and always remain beautiful, you need to follow a number of rules:

• do not cut food directly on the countertop;
• do not place cups, plates, or pots with hot food or water;
• do not pour boiling water into the sink;
• wash products with a soft sponge and soap or other detergents, but without abrasives;
• if necessary, treat with polishing pastes (to restore shine).

Liquid granite is a durable, reliable, moisture-resistant coating that is an excellent alternative to expensive natural materials. It fits perfectly into the interior and serves as its decoration, and with proper maintenance it will please the owners for many years.