Shiny, Happy Counters!

Today was a BIG day for me.

I finally poured the counter top in my kitchen.  I wrestled the backsplashes I made over the summer into place this week and committed to the pour today.

It was a nightmare.  The tape wouldn't hold.  Turns out I used Gloss Mod Podge to make the edges of the counters a little more robust so I could tape to them.  I had done this previously when making the backsplashes with only minimal issues.  I forgot that I had used Satin (or was it Matte) finish Mod Podge to seal the comics on them.  The tape I needed to use to dam up the counter simply would not stick to the gloss coated edge.

Plan B.  Fortunately, at this point I have enough sealants and glue to open a hobby shop, so I applied a different coating, waited impatiently for it to dry and started again.

You'll notice that there's an inside "L" shape to this counter.  Even with the new coating, the tape let go there once I poured the epoxy.  Spent an hour desperately trying not to have half of the epoxy flow off the counter top until it set up enough to take all the tape off.  It was NOT fun.

But.

 

Look how amazing this came out!

 

I used two different epoxy resins from two different companies.

 

The first company's was difficult to work with, but made the backsplashes and my Star Wars puzzle floor.  I wasn't super impressed with it, but it still gave nice results.

 

I won't name them.  I'm not that guy.

 

And yes, if you're wondering, Ghost Rider on the left of the sink hole...

 

...does indeed glow in the dark!
 

 

The second company, Magic Resin, a Canadian company provided the epoxy resin I used on this flat, gorgeous counter top.

 

It was MUCH easier to work with than the other company's product.

 

And I think the results speak for themselves.  

 

Just...damn.  I am SO happy with the results!

 

2 floors and a few little touches to go!  Counters are MUCH harder to do than floors, even if floors are larger.  You're not fighting gravity the whole time when pouring a floor.  As long as it's sealed well, it basically just needs mixing, pouring and bubble chasing.  Counters like this require taping and fighting with any area of tape that lets go, something that happens quite easily once tape gets saturated. 

 

While you're doing that (a sticky, messy, slightly panic enduing process) you also have to wield a blow torch to chase the bubbles.  I could have used an assistant or at least a third hand.  I managed, somehow, but it was NOT easy.

But.

 

I have comic book counter tops!

 

So HAPPY!