Granicrete class for countertops

[Im_faux_excited]

Peggy,

You'd already have your gas money back and then some by the time the Bonita classes come up in June! You could have many countertop jobs finished by then. I'm going on the first sale for mine tomorrow. Up here, granite is so expensive, I'll be looking for $60 a sq. ft. for marketing. NICE return!!! Depending on further research, it may even be able to go for $80-100 once I customize my own finishes with their system. Even at $40, you'd make your money back including gas on the first job. Also, Bjoern is a great guy to take a class from.

I drove an hour each way to his classes... took a total of 8 trips (4 roundtrips) up and back. Cost me about $90 in gas as a guesstimate. I drive a HUGE pick-up truck I inherited. Dual cab and 8' bed and 8 cylinders... and I don't like to blow money on foolishness! lol

I can only tell you it was more than worth it to me and I highly recommend it. Good luck with your choice!!

[peggyswfl]

Thank you! It's always good to hear someone else's take! Peggy

[granicrete]

Hello Peggy,

just came across your post and wanted to say "hi". I have a seminar coming up from may 8 to May 10. I like to keep the seminars small so there is a lot of room for conversation and ideas to kick around and I can take my time to get into much more detail and answer questions. Hope that helps with your decision.

Let me know if there is any questions I can answer in the meantime. I am always happy to help out!

B

[LDeco]

Parade time is here and the house is cleaned, furnished, and ready to show. Dropped by earlier today to put out brochures, cards, and crap like that. Also took a few pics of the counter and related finishes .........

[covergirlfaux]

Very cool Jack!!!! Love it!

[Paint deZiner]

Jack, I agree with Shannon....it looks bangin!

[Im_faux_excited]

Saaaaaaaaahmokin Jack!!!!

[peggyswfl]

Incredible!!!!

[BenG]

Well this is quite an old thread, but that's good; I was wondering (and hello everyone), what are your current impressions of Granicrete? I have been working with it for about 3 months now and have done a few jobs with it.

I'm wondering what everyone's (provided you are still using it!) impression with the product is...in hindsight. So far I have found that the Epoxy coating scratches beyond easily, and even putting a somewhat hot coffee cup on the bare counter (or bowl, plate, etc), will leave a permanent ring. I guess its the epoxy "burning".

As for the floor product, its pretty hard but I find it scratches VERY VERY easily! I can scratch off a full layer anytime with my finger nail... have you guys done jobs with it? If so, how has it stood in the test of time. So far I am really not impressed. I'm wondering if I should try a different sealer or something. I have been using Granicrete's "Poly Low Odor" which is supposedly a self linking acrylic and polyurethane sealer...

Anyways as you can probably tell I am a real newbie and am inexperienced...any comments and suggestions are welcome, thanks again!

[paintmom]

Ben: I have found the same issues! While I like the look of granicrete I found the countertop issue beyond annoying!

I have homeowners who requested this product; once installed (and cured, over a month later!) it still has issues with warm (not hot) things...my client put a pan of brownies on a thick hot pad and it left an impression! Eventually that comes out, but really annoying for the price they paid. Rings from coffe cups alos are left and those aren't coming out so easy. Buffing helped some with scratches, but this was a dark finish so you lose much of your color detail the more you sand and buff it.

I also find it to be FAR messier in the application process as far as coloring than other concrete overlay systems. I am getting nowhere with my problems via distributor and company and will NOT use this countertop product again.

As for the flooring,,,yes it does scratch somewhat easily, and is very messy to color. On future applications I would precolor the granicrete more and use less of the spray. Not sure about using this product again either as there are many other products that do the same thing and are easier for me to get.

[KathyFakesIt]

Hi Ben,
Welcome!

Where abouts are you in Canada? I'm in BC.

I haven't working with this product but I can reccommend Colormaker floors for a great sealer.

[BenG]

PaintMom: Did you put the "Diamond Coat" on? I didn't on the one kitchen counter I did (my own). Thank God its my own. I'm going to experiment with it (the DC) on some sample boards and see if the heat issues still persist. If does, then yah, not sure I can use this product either. I agree about the flooring too, I am having quite the difficulties finding the right colors, but that may be more me then the product itself. Obviously some people produce very aesthetically pleasing results, and althogh I have done a couple floors that turned out well usually I'd have to make several sample boards to get the right formula...quite a lengthy process. I keep hoping it will get easier but it doesn't seem to!

Regarding the floors though, they do get a LOT harder after curing. My sample boards I made a few months ago I tried to scratch yesterday as a test and wasn't able to... well I'm sure I could take a knife to it and scratch but what floor wouldn't???? I'm kind of depressed about the whole thing, I've invested about 7500 when you count training and products (I bought ALL the colors and several buckets of counter, epoxy and flooring compounds + sealers). I at least did a lot of nice things in my house but knowing that I will get 100 callbacks if I install this thing doesn't sit well with me. I talked to my Dist. about it and they just say "well tell clients to use trivets (heat pads) at all times". Coooooome on.... that's just annoying.

Anyways, I'll let u and everyone know how the Diamond Coat (Urethane sealer) works out...

Kathy: I'm in Ottawa...

[paintmom]

No, I did not put on the Diamond Coat for the counters....just the epoxy (2 coats as I had some issues with the first pour in my last job). During my class and in my subsequent samples I couldn't get a good look with the diamond coat which is disappointing as not all clients want that super shiny look. I did try it on the last back splash I did, but I did NOT see any difference in sheen.

The instructor I took the class from discouraged using the diamond coat unless you could spray it on as he too found these issues.

I definitely will NOT do another countertop...especially now that I have found RS Crete and the Rock Kote ssytem by FE.

As for the floor, they do get hard and the clients love them. I just would do it differently that we did in class, I would put more color into the mix so if you do get a scratch or two it doesn't telegraph as white in a dark brown floor!

My biggest issue would be I can get the variation in looks much easier with other products (skimstone, RS Crete), with equal durability and hardness. It seems to be a product that is much more frinedly for use with contractors that artists. Encasing my whole room in plastic and spraying the heck out of it for color doesn't thrill me. That said the floors I have done look awesome and the clients love them.

And I totally get the money issue. I have done enough jobs on floors to make my money back, but the countertops are a wash at best. In the future I will stick with the companies and their products I know and trust!

Michele

[Dream]

try the product aurastone. it is pretty nice. other then the scratch resistence, which is supposidly worked out, it is great.

i installed a counter last year and just checked on it two days ago and i was shocked at how new it looks.

[LAD]

Yeah the new scratch resistant topcoat is AWESOME! and FDA approved too. I'm doing a top now that is going over a corian surface counter. Aurastone bonds right to it, no chipping, and no special prep or primers.

-Dan