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Hello @indi
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thank you so much for joining us and sharing your question about what concrete mix to use for a concrete benchtop.
The trick for a flawless finish on your concrete benchtop is to prepare the mold properly. If you are using SpecRite Formply F17 1800 x 1200 x 17mm Plywood, make sure that it is level by having enough support at the bottom. This is on the condition that the cement benchtop will be turned over with the bottom being the finished top. I suggest using silicone for the corners and finished off with a Paint Partner 4 Piece Silicone Scraper Set, specifically chip number 2 with the rounded edge.
I recommend using Dingo 20kg Hi-Strength Concrete as it's designed to have a high surface finish. Before putting the concrete in, it is necessary to line the inside of the mold with WD-40 Specialist 300g Lawn & Garden Water Protective Silicone. This will allow you to strip the Formply off once the concrete has cured. I recommend covering the concrete benchtop in a tarp to slow down the drying process. Remember to spray your benchtop with water so that it will not dry too fast.
Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to the start of your concrete benchtop project.
Here is a handy step-by-step guide: D.I.Y. wood and concrete kitchen island
Let me tag our experienced member @ProjectPete for his recommendations.
If you need further advice and information, please let us know.
Eric
Keep us updated, @indi, and let us know if you get stuck. We can't wait to see your finished results.
Mitchell
Hi Kelsey (@Kelseyfarmer95)
Dingo 20kg Hi Strength Concrete is still available and features on the Bunnings website, but perhaps your local store does not stock it. If you can let us know your closest Bunnings store, I can check to see where it is available.
Another option to consider is a structural grout. Don't let the "grout" fool you; this is a high-strength product designed to be formed into slabs. You'd use it for areas under high stress, like a slab that a bricked chimney sits upon. Just be sure to pick one that is suitable for the thickness of your tabletop. Dunlop 20kg Construction Grout is suitable for up to 100mm thickness.
I thought I would also point out, as it's not mentioned above, that it is essential to include reinforcement mesh in your slab to prevent cracking.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
It's fantastic that you've decided to give this project a go. I've spoken to the stores at Ellenbrook and Midland and I suggest looking up Concrete 40 and concrete 24 their item numbers are 0760334 and 0760449. These are high-strength concrete products and should be good enough to make a concrete benchtop. Make sure to read the drying times on the bags before you purchase either one.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Hi @snowgoose62
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's fabulous to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about making a concrete bench top.
It will be a bit tricky on the timing of the pour, but yes, you can use the self-levelling compound for your benchtop. However, I suggest using rebar instead of gutter guard as the latter is too soft and will not support the weight of the benchtop. Are you planning on building your own concrete benchtop? If you are, please make sure to post an update, I'm sure our members will be keen to see how you build it.
Please make sure to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a dust mask when mixing and pouring the cement.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
