Buddy Rhodes Concrete Counter Mix is uniquely designed so that both the Hard Trowel Surface and the Pressed Surface finishes can be achieved using the same mix.

Hard Trowel: This is the cast-in-place standard finish, but it’s great for pre-cast concrete countertops, too. This look is achieved with the mold rightside-up. The countertop surface can be ground heavily, lightly or not at all to reveal varying amounts of aggregate. Using pea gravel is recommended for this finish, and vibration use is ok.

Pressed: This finish can only be used with a pre-cast concrete countertop using the countertop mold upside-down. This method creates Buddy Rhodes signature veined look. Some polishing is required to achieve this finish, do not use pea gravel or vibration.

Each bag of Buddy Rhodes Concrete Counter Mix produces 1/2 cubic foot or 4.5 square feet of material at 1 1/2” thickness, without added pea gravel.

Get started on your next concrete countertop project today with the top quality, versatile and innovative Buddy Rhodes Concrete Counter Mix.

Buddy Rhodes began as a ceramist with a craftsman’s interest in architectural integrity, and developed a way to meld the warmth and earthy handmade quality of pottery with the strength, versatility and architectural applicability of concrete.

Experimenting extensively in the early stages of product development, Buddy learned how to solve many of the problems of adapting concrete to new applications. Cracking, warping, coloring consistency, sealing and psi strength were among the concrete fabrication issues he resolved with his innovative product line.

The first step in creating the signature Buddy Rhodes Hand Pressed Finish is mixing your custom color pastes:

Put ½ cup of Buddy Rhodes Acrylic Additive in a bucket

Add 1.5 teaspoons of Buddy Rhodes Ultra Fine Pigment (this amount can be adjusted depending on how light or dark you’d like your color paste to be).

Mix until color is fully dispersed.

Add 1 cup of Buddy Rhodes Bone White Color Paste.

Mix until well blended into a yogurt like consistency.

Now that your color paste has been mixed, wet the concrete surface with a misting of water. Next, take a small ribbon of color paste with a 5″ putty knife and spread the first color across the surface. If the sides of your surface are uneven, try using a gloved hand to apply the color paste.

The next step is to apply the second and third colors using the same method as above. You do want to scrape and/or wipe off excess paste to avoid extra work polishing the surface later on.

Once all of the custom color pastes have been applied and allowed to dry, the concrete is ready to be polished. Don’t wait too long before polishing, or the paste will become too hard. Buddy Rhodes recommends polishing the surface the day after the color paste is applied.

Use a hand pad to remove the excess color paste and polish. Be sure to avoid over polishing or exposing too much of the aggregate, which can create an undesirable “busy” look.

Using the Buddy Rhodes Hand Pressed Finish creates stunning, colorful surfaces that are perfect for a variety of decorative concrete and concrete countertop applications.

Integral sinks can be created in a variety of shapes to complement different countertop styles. A few popular choices include the wave sink. This style features a concrete wave form between two or more faucets that leads to slot drains, creating a beautiful, undulating effect when water runs in the sink. Another popular integral sink is the ramp sink. These have a sloped bottom like a ramp, allowing the water to run into the drain towards the back of the sink.

Choosing to create a concrete countertop with an integral sink gives you endless design and customization options, making it an ideal choice for high end homes, businesses and more.

Prepping

In this example, we’ll be using the Z-Counterform cast in place decorative concrete countertop form. Simply place 1/2″ cement backer board on top of your cabinets, screw it down and fit the the Z-Counterform to the edges and back wall. Cover your cabinet surfaces with plastic.

Mixing

Mix your Buddy Rhodes Concrete Countertop Mix in a large bucket or basin according to the size of your countertop. You’ll need the bag mix, pigment of your choosing, cold water, curing compound and pea gravel to increase the yield and strength of the final countertop.

Mix until the concrete consistency reaches a thick oatmeal.

Casting

Wet the cement backer board on your cabinets with water. Place the concrete mix into the form, pressing it into the space tightly with your hands. When the form is about halfway full, place galvanized wire around the perimeter, also adding one to two pieces in the middle of the form for reinforcement. Continue to add concrete mix until the form is completely filled.

Troweling

Once filled, scrape off any excess concrete mix with a 2×4 pressed flush against the form. Leave the surface to dry for about an hour.

Use a resin float to work up the cream on the countertop’s surface, pressing the float in circular, figure eight motions all around the countertop surface. Let dry for about 30 minutes.

Use a steel trowel to continue troweling the surface until it is completely flat and smooth. Let sit for 24-48 hours.

Removing Forms

Roll and snap off the patented Z-Counterforms from the countertop, revealing all of the edges. Sand the surface with diamond polishing pads and sand paper until totally smooth.

Sealing the Countertop

Add one layer of Buddy Rhodes Penetrating Sealer using a spray bottle to evenly coat the countertop surface. Rub in with a clean cotton rag. Let dry for 10 minutes. Apply a thin layer of Buddy Rhodes Satin Sealer using a microfiber cloth and rubbing it in to the surface. Let dry for 10 minutes.

Filling In

Make a fill paste by mixing the Buddy Rhodes Bone White Paste, the pigment you chose for the concrete countertop mix, and acrylic additive. Fill in any holes along the edges with the paste, applying it in even layers, letting each layer dry for about 5 minutes before applying the next. Remove any excess paste from the top surface of the countertop with a Scotch Brite pad.

Adding Additional Sealer

Dust off the surface and edges of the countertop. Apply 4-6 thin, even layers of Buddy Rhodes Satin Sealer to the surface using a microfiber cloth, letting each layer dry about 5 minutes.

Enjoy!

Enjoy your new custom, hard-troweled, cast in place decorative concrete countertop.

Kitchen sinks demand high durability and functionality, so it’s important to have a resilient sink in place. Concrete farm sinks are a very popular design trend right now, and Buddy Rhodes’ GFRC product line produces durable glass fiber, scrim (a mesh product) and curing polymer reinforced concrete sinks that are highly resistant to cracks and chips. Another option is incorporating a stainless steel under-mount sink into a concrete countertop.

Bathroom sinks provide even more license for creative freedom, giving you the opportunity to create a dramatic, artistic design element in your home. Since concrete is so versatile, virtually any shape, color and texture imaginable can be implemented into your sink.

You’ll also need to incorporate  functional sink elements like overflow mechanisms, knockouts and resin backings to ensure a successful end result. Give your kitchen or bathroom a major update with beautiful concrete sinks today.

Buddy Rhodes’ Signature Finishes are available in three basic styles:

Pressed Finish is created by casting the concrete upside down in a mold, producing a veined appearance. Pressed Finish can be tone-on-tone, with the voids created in the pressing process in-filled with a slurry paste of a matching color, or the voids can be filled in with one or more contrasting colors, creating a more mottled effect.

Hand Trowel Finish is smooth and mono-chromatic in appearance. It’s created by casting right side up in a mold, and steel-troweling to lightly burnish the surface with the cream rising to the surface of the concrete slab while it is wet.

Ground Finish is lightly ground to reveal a light sand aggregate or aggressively ground to reveal a larger marble chip aggregate, depending on the extent of the diamond pad with water ground finish.

These Signature Finishes can be utilized in a variety of both interior and exterior applications to create unique, durable and visually appealing concrete surfaces.

Next, the Buddy Rhodes Satin Concrete Sealer is applied using a micro fiber cloth in four to five very thin coats. Buddy Rhodes Satin Concrete Sealer is the latest in water-based acrylic micro emulsion technology for concrete countertops. It creates a barrier coating that seals and protects while enhancing the natural beauty of the concrete. The Satin Concrete Sealer is ideal for cooking and eating areas to protect surfaces against food and beverage stains and will resist most stains up to 72 hours; however, oils and solvents should be wiped up promptly. The sheen of the satin sealer can be adjusted using a Scotch-Brite pad to even out the finished surface and give it a more matte appearance.

Finally, use Buddy Rhodes Food Grade Beeswax to help prevent stains and to enhance the color of your concrete surface. It may be used for maintenance over the life of the concrete project, and is perfectly safe to use in food preparation areas. Simply apply a thin coat and buff out.

Following these guidelines will ensure your concrete surfaces are properly sealed and resistant to stains and other damages.

You’ll learn how to create beautiful and functional countertops and furniture.  You’ll learn all of the latest industry techniques and special tips to ensure each countertop you design and install is a total success. You’ll also be provided with all the supplies and tools needed to produce unique and creative countertop looks, there are even instructive books and DVDs you can use to enhance your learning experience. Whether you’re hoping to install countertops in a kitchen, bathroom or outdoor area; or design custom concrete furniture, Buddy Rhodes’ training will give you unmatched confidence and expertise.

Buddy’s Ultra Green (B.U.G.) was developed as a superior general purpose concrete that re-uses material previously headed to landfills, instead of mining new concrete material. This process cuts the amount of resource intensive cement needed for a traditional concrete mix in half. The bulk of the inert ingredients in the B.U.G. mix are actually recycled concrete from former buildings, roads and sidewalks.

B.U.G.  also incorporates superfine industrial by-products to make the concrete stronger, more durable, and more impervious to water while reducing the need for new cement. This unique formula also utilizes an advanced fiber technology that greatly improves B.U.G. ’s resistance to cracking. The Buddy Rhodes Ultra Green mix is an impressive advancement in the field of recycled concrete, and is an ideal choice for anyone looking for a durable, versatile and Green material.