End of Day 2
Welcome back to my series covering the epoxy process for the new kitchen countertops. If you're just joining me, be sure to head back and read the Backstory and Day 1 before diving in.
Day 2 was probably the easiest day. I had ended Day 1 hopeful but uncertain if I had applied the Versabond correctly simply because I'd never worked with any sort of concrete product before. I thought it was right..??? but who actually knows. Day 2 set all my worries to rest. In the DIY Epoxy how-to video, they say it doesn't matter if your Versabond coat is perfectly smooth, because the Levelquik will take care of it. Thank goodness, the Levelquik did take care of it.
For the Levelquik, I significantly increased my coverage of cabinets, walls, and flooring, and I'm so glad I did. It is a much more liquid substance than the Versabond was, and it went EVERYWHERE. Pay extra attention to the covering on your floor since you want it to flow over and off the edge for good coverage. I was redoing the floor after the cabinets and countertop, so I wasn't overly concerned, but if you're keeping your current floors, be overzealous in the coverage.
After you finish covering everything, use a 60 grit sandpaper to smooth out the dry Versabond layer, and a damp rag to remove the dust. Next, mix the Levelquik with the liquid polymer in a 5 gallon bucket. This time, you want your consistency to be slightly thinner than honey - almost a little bit soupy. Spread it with the 1/8 notch side of your trowel, then use the flat side to smooth and finish. Then that's it! Get it as smooth/level as you can, but the Levelquik will self level and create a beautifully smooth surface for you to work with the next day.
So here we are! End of day two. Be sure to let everything dry for 24 hrs, and put a fan on it if you can to help speed the process. Next will be epoxy day - and oh man. Do I have some tips for you! Until then, you can shop the post below. See you Thursday for the big countertop reveal!
Supplies
Disposable rags
Paper, Masking Tape and Masking plastic for covering surfaces
5 gallon buckets
60 grit sand paper
Power sander (optional)
Bonding primer
Drill with paddle mixer attachment
Levelquik (1 bag)
Polymer compound (1 Gallon)
1/8 Notch trowel
Directions
Sand tile using a 60 grit sand paper
Mix Levelquik + Polymer compound with a mixing paddle in a 5 gallon bucket to a soupy honey consistency
Apply to the entire surface of the tile with a 1/8 notch trowel, then use the smooth side of the trowel to level and let the compound run off the edges to coat
Allow to dry for 24 hrs
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