28" Pompeii

[Pompeii Nate]

Hey Gene,

Thanks for the reply. I figured you must have done something but I thought I would ask to make sure. I haven't even considered the spark arrestor so I will have to look into that one. Again, thanks for the reply and info.

Nate

[ggoose]

Nearly completed facade...I added the countertop yesterday. The outer brick arch and 2 coats of stucco remain.

[aprivard]

Beautiful work!

This forum is a wealth of information, and VERY addicting!!! So happy I found it... I was going to build a barrel oven...

Curious about your concrete countertops... is that a black tint? Any special aggregate? What was your finishing/polishing process? What was your source of info/knowledge to do the countertops? I plan on doing that with my WFO... once it starts next spring... I have my base built & hope to get the hearth slab poured before it gets too cold here in Ohio.

[Aegis]

Great Job! I am so jealous you are almost finished and I am struggling to get the roof done before snow fall! lol Beautiful arches on both the oven and storage area. Nice touch with using bricks to face off the storage area. Counter tops make a perfect compliment to your entire project!
Enjoy the fruits of your labor!

[ggoose]

Thanks Aegis, but according to your thread, you've already had a pizza party, which technically puts you farther ahead in the process than I .... My upper arch and brown and finish coats will have to wait for spring, as freezing weather is in the forecast...missed it by that much.

[mrchipster]

Originally Posted by ggoose

Thanks Aegis, but according to your thread, you've already had a pizza party, which technically puts you farther ahead in the process than I .... My upper arch and brown and finish coats will have to wait for spring, as freezing weather is in the forecast...missed it by that much.

I like the "Get Smart" reference.

Chip

[ggoose]

I like the "Get Smart" reference.

Chip

Thanks Chip...it seemed fitting

Curious about your concrete countertops... is that a black tint? Any special aggregate? What was your finishing/polishing process? What was your source of info/knowledge to do the countertops?

aprivard...you sound like me about a month ago . I learned alot about the process from youtube videos. I also purchased a Buddy Rhodes dvd on making countertops. I used the Quikrete countertop mix to which I added some glass fiber and 3 bottles of charcoal color. It took 4 80# sacks of the the product to make my two countertops. I let them sit in the forms for a week covered with plastic, them pulled the forms and let them cure on 2x4s for another few days. Then I filled the bug holes (little air pockets resulting from my poor vibrating while the cast was wet) with non-sanded grout. This gives the counter a bit of a two-tone look. It didn't fill them all, but close enough for a first attempt. Next time I'll thin the grout a bit more with a latex additive to better fill the holes. I then polished the countertops and sides with a wet polisher and diamond grit pads starting at 400#, then 800#, then 1500#, and finally 3000#. The surface is glass-smooth. If you want to expose more aggregate, start with a 50 grit pad and work to a 100#, etc. I sealed the countertops with a lithium-based sealer/hardener. It is not acid resistant, so I have to clean tomato, vinegar, etc. up immediately. I will add an acid resistant sealer next spring. Hope this helps...

gene