Do-it-yourself liquid stone is quite simple. It is a modern finishing material, which is made according to the technology that allows to imitate the obtained products with the appearance of natural stone. This name is due to the fact that the finished product is the result of polymerization of a multicomponent liquid composition based on polyester resins. The resulting materials are used in various fields, it can be finishing work, facade cladding , as well as the manufacture of plumbing. As a result, it is possible to obtain the following products:
- sculptures;
- decorative fountains;
- steps;
- countertops;
- bathtubs.
Liquid stone is used, which you can make with your own hands, and for decoration of premises for various purposes. Products are cheap, but very durable and ductile, which is sometimes necessary. This is true when facing surfaces with an incorrect configuration. Production can be turned into a profitable business.
Production of liquid stone countertops
Before proceeding with the manufacture of liquid stone for countertops, you must complete the form. As a result, the surface should be as even as possible, so the base should be made strong. This is due to the fact that the solution should not push material through its weight. To do this, you can use sheets of chipboard, which are installed on racks or goats.
The surface of the base needs to be covered with something, so that after solidification it is necessary to separate the countertop from the chipboard. An excellent solution would be to use a polymer film. The whole sheet is installed on several goats, only after you can start manufacturing the mold. It can be done for several countertops.
The next step will be the preparation of liquid stone for the countertop. To do this, you can use a cement-sand base, to which additional ingredients are added. It can be fillers in the form of sand, as well as resin and marble chips. The penultimate component acts as a binder.
Overview of advanced liquid stone properties
The polyester resin is usually part of the liquid stone, which is a polymer composition. It is a plastic quintessence. Different fillers and components give this material special properties. Standard colors have about 120 units. If necessary, the material can be given almost any color that will remain unchanged for a long time.
If you add a polyester resin to the ingredients, then the surface after polymerization will not require almost any maintenance, it will be enough to wipe it with a soft rag soaked in soapy water. In most cases, such cladding is used in the decoration of interiors, as well as in the manufacture of furniture.
The coating is polymeric, it imitates the color and texture of a natural material, which, unlike natural, is more plastic and warm. It makes excellent countertops and window sills that can be made in imitation of a concrete or brick wall.
The stone does not fade in the sun and has an increased resistance to wear. They finish the walls near the sinks, that is, they simply use them instead of ordinary tiles. Despite the fact that this finish resembles granite, it has a more affordable cost and lower weight. Products are environmentally friendly, they are resistant to mechanical stress and temperature extremes, do not corrode and are not covered with scratches during intensive use. The structure does not form environments that would be suitable for the emergence of pathogenic microorganisms. Wood, metal and glass components are often added to the formation until the mixture has completely solidified. One of the principal properties of this material is its cheapness.
Liquid granite manufacturing methods
Liquid granite can be made using one of two technologies. The first involves the use of casting methods, while the second involves a spraying method. When casting, the finished mixture is poured into molds and left to dry completely, and then the products are removed, and at the next stage they are processed.
Liquid granite can also be made by spraying. In this case, the technology of spraying onto the surface of liquid stone is used, the layer thickness does not exceed a few millimeters. In turn, the pollination method is divided into two more types:
- direct spraying;
- reverse spraying.
The first method is as follows: soil is applied to the workpiece, and after that it is left until it dries. Then, by spraying, a layer of liquid stone is applied to the base, it is ground and polished, but only after drying. The production of liquid stone can be expressed in the reverse spraying method. It is used if the workpiece is not part of the piece of furniture.
Products are laid on the molding surface of glass or chipboard, the contours are circled, and then a side made of plastic or chipboard is installed. A layer of release agent is applied to the surface, and then liquid stone is sprayed. After its partial hardening, the soil is sprayed so that the layer of stone does not shine through. As a result, it is possible to obtain a form where the polyester resin is poured. After polymerization, the products are recovered.
Production of liquid granite
The manufacturing technology of liquid granite provides for compliance with certain rules. The first of them says that the premises for the production should consist of two rooms. The first is required for casting, while the second is for grinding the resulting product. The temperature is maintained at 24 ° C, ventilation is mandatory.
The production of liquid stone begins with the degreasing of the surface, dust and dirt are removed from it. 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. In this case, a ratio of 2 to 1 must be used. The first ingredient is a polymer resin. Hardener is added before spraying. The resulting composition is applied to the base. For this, one of the two methods described above can be used. The surface of the new product must be sanded and polished.
Liquid Marble Making
If you want to make a liquid stone with your own hands, then you can try to make marble. It is very popular, which is especially true for its lithium variety. It is a composite material based on polyester resin. An additional ingredient is a mineral filler. However, it can be quartz sand or marble chips.
Depending on which fillers are selected, marble can be obtained by simulating the following types of stones:
- onyx;
- malachite;
- granite;
- jasper;
- natural marble.
Making liquid stone with your own hands, you should know some features about it. Among others, it should be noted that the material can be used for decoration, but it is a lightweight, environmentally friendly and flexible material with acrylic polymers and marble chips. Such products can even be cut with scissors or a knife, as well as glued to walls instead of wallpaper.
Additional area of use
The material has a perfectly flat seamless surface, so it can be used to clad structures of irregular shape, namely:
- spherical objects;
- columns;
- arches.
Before making liquid stone, it is necessary to prepare the appropriate equipment:
- casting molds;
- mixer;
- spray;
- brushes.
Form Information
Filling molds are also called matrices, but sprayer will be needed for gelcoat. To mix the composition, it is necessary to stock up with a mixer, while lubricating the form will be with brushes. Molds for marble are made on the basis of polyurethane rubber. The matrix is durable and lacks a tendency to deform, therefore it is expensive, but its price pays off, because production has high profitability.
Material Composition
If you started making liquid stone, then you must adhere to the proportions. To do this, mix polyester or acrylic resin with marble chips, using a ratio of 4 to 1. As a binder, you can use cement or lime mortar or building gypsum. However, resins are most commonly used, as they provide high strength.
Conclusion
Liquid stone products are widely used today. It can be decor elements or parts of furniture, as well as facing materials. It is noteworthy that you can perform them yourself, which will significantly save. In addition, there are a lot of varieties of such a stone today, and all the ingredients can be found in the building materials store. But production can be done on the basis of technology that you like more than others.