Saturday, May 23, 2009

Equipment Upgrade

I was bursting at the seams with the old electric mixer. This week I picked up a 5 cf gas Ward gas mixer. The motor needs to be replaced but everything works and it is pretty clean. This should speed up future projects.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Fireplace Results

The fireplace surround is done. It took longer than expected because I couldn't seem to get just the right black color. The concrete itself was black then I acid stained it black again. That still wasn't as jet black as I wanted so I used a couple coats of a very strong dye. Once the dye dried I sealed it with an acrylic. Since no one will be eating off of it, hopefully, the sealing materials don't have to be food-grade.Before
After, a little taller and wider and filled in that weird gap near the wall.
One layer of tile will go around the fireplace and then a stainless steel insert and fireglass.