Coating liquid stone. Liquid granite - a new perspective in construction

Modern psychologists argue that people who successfully lead active professional activities, in fact, mentally have their place of residence not their house or apartment, but, oddly enough, their job. After analyzing the data on the average amount of time that people spend at the workplace, the social circle of working people, the content of their mental activity during the day, the experts made an almost paradoxical conclusion: people live at work, and the hearth is a place for the necessary rest and recuperation.

Kitchen work surfaces must certainly be aesthetic and practical, wear-resistant and comfortable.

But even without this information, it is quite obvious that the kitchen occupies an absolutely special place in the overall arrangement of an apartment and a house. This is the holy of holies for housewives of all ages. Here, young girls make their first culinary attempts, accepting congratulations from their father and older brother. Wives cook, understanding how important healthy, home-made food is for the family. Grandmothers work, putting their love for their grandchildren into pastries and sweets.

Therefore, stone countertops are chosen, in which a magnificent appearance is combined with unconditionally high strength rates.

That is why the desire of any person to equip the kitchen as best as possible is natural, providing, if possible, with all the necessary furniture and other interior accessories. Nature arranged the human body in such a way that timely food intake is extremely important for it.

The main characteristics of such working surfaces are stability, durability, resistance to wear and mechanical damage.

People are trying to buy comfortable chairs for their kitchen, provide it with a high-quality soft corner and all the necessary cutlery. Illuminate the room with bright, warm light from spotlights or chandeliers. At all times, the countertop also occupied a special place. She has always perfectly coped with the function of the surface for installing all the necessary kitchen appliances, placing cutlery and utensils for cooking, cutting boards on it.

Countertops made of natural stone will always be different from each other, since it is impossible to find two identical plates in nature.

What is liquid artificial stone?

A half-century history of the successful use of artificial stone is widely known. The technology of its manufacture is based on the property of the molecules of stone chips to enter into a high-quality inseparable bond with the molecules of synthetic resins. At the same time, the material obtained as a result of such mixing due to the subsequent surface treatment, both in its internal properties and in its external characteristics, is very similar to polished granite.

Manufacturers claim that a natural stone countertop lasts at least 12-17 years, but in practice this material is many times more durable.

The year of the creation of the material is considered to be 1967, when the specialists of the French company DuPont, for the first time, introduced artificial stone products to the European market.

To date, the technology has been mastered by all the world's leading furniture manufacturers.

Advantages of using liquid stone countertops in the kitchen

  1. Hygiene.

Thanks to a special treatment, the material acquires active antibacterial properties. This treatment gives it an absolutely smooth surface, which in turn does not allow organic substances to stagnate there, such as, for example, food particles or traces of pets.

The missing microrelief in the form of microcracks and pores makes it easy to remove unwanted moisture, neutralizing the habitat of various microorganisms.

  1. Easy maintenance furniture.

Any cooking process is inevitably accompanied by the formation of a small impurity. Spilled ketchup, chocolate, or sunflower oil ... It is from such a countertop that they are extremely easy to remove. And is it worth saying that after this there are no traces left?

Such a surface is not afraid of either water, or concentrated household chemicals, or hot, and the products here can be cut without a board.

  1. Damage resistance.

A liquid stone countertop is difficult to somehow damage or spoil its appearance.

To avoid stains, marble must be coated with a special protective agent.

Recall that the material has almost all the properties of real polished granite. And therefore, it does not have the disadvantages that wood and plastic have. It is impossible to leave a scratch on it with any sharp object.

It does not dampen and does not fade under the influence of sunlight.

It is worth mentioning the cons.


Varieties of liquid stone

Depending on what material is used as a binder, and on the proportion that quartz chips directly make up in it, artificial stone is divided into two types: quartzite and acrylic stone.

Quartzite kitchen countertops are resistant to high temperatures.

Acrylic stone is characterized by durability in use.

Quartzite (agglomerate)

The composition includes:

  1. To quartz chips (at least 9/10 of the total mass);
  2. To coloring pigments (from their combination with a shade of quartz chips, the final color of the countertop varies);
  3. P polyester resin as a binder.

When they talk about the exact similarity of the qualities of polished granite with the qualities of artificial stone, they mean exactly this variety of it - quartzite.

Such a high content of the mineral component is achieved through a complex production process - vacuum high-temperature pressing of the components. This results in an extremely strong material structure. The tabletop is not exposed to high temperatures, which can occur in everyday life.

A boiled kettle set aside, or a hot frying pan, a lit match or cigarette accidentally dropped, will not leave a trace on the surface of quartzite.

And it is clear that this version of the countertop cannot be made independently at home. Details of the general design are not amenable to gluing. They are joined as a result of precise dimensional fit.

Quartzite (agglomerate) as a material for countertops will cost the buyer a lot. However, the price in this case, the quality is fully consistent.

acrylic liquid stone

The composition of this type of artificial stone is characterized by a high content of acrylic resin as a binder, and, accordingly, a small proportion of mineral filler.

The acrylic countertop will fit into any design style of the kitchen without any problems.

The material also has its pros and cons.

  • Due to the fullness of the composition with acrylic, the countertop will be less “afraid” of chips.
  • Low thermal conductivity creates the effect of warmth to the touch.
  • Scratches accidentally left by a sharp object are easily removed with sandpaper and GOI grinding paste.

However, the relatively low cost of materials and the absence of a complex technological component in the production process turn the manufacture of acrylic artificial stone with your own hands into an entertaining and simple job.

Buying Liquid Stone

When planning to purchase a good thing that will serve for more than one year, while having a good idea of ​​the required dimensions, style and the material from which it will be made, there will be very little left - to find somewhere the real embodiment of all this. And what a disappointment it will be if it is at this final stage that we suddenly fail. What to do then? Accept the inevitability of choosing from what is offered? Of course not!

A countertop made of artificial stone is more affordable, much easier and easier to install, and outwardly it does not differ from a countertop made of natural stone, but the choice of surface colors is much wider.

There are at least two ways out of this situation. The first is to order a kitchen worktop, as you imagine it, directly from a furniture manufacturer. The second is to do it yourself with your own hands.

And, despite the fact that at first glance, the latter option may seem difficult to implement, such difficulties not only do not stop many people, but even cause a kind of excitement.

Manufacture of countertops from liquid stone. Polyester acrylic spraying method.

  1. A mold is prepared from chipboard with the expectation that the stone will cover 5 mm of the surface on each side.
  2. A surface that is ideal in its evenness, for example, large-format glass, is partly involved in creating the form. A kind of formwork made of cut chipboard is mounted on it.

    The cheapest option is to make the formwork from chipboard yourself. You can also find a polyurethane or silicone form of industrial production.

  3. The entire inner surface is lubricated with wax mastic in order to create the necessary insulating layer.
  4. From the spray gun, 3 layers of acrylic without dye are applied one after the other. In this case, each subsequent layer is not applied until the previous one has polymerized.

    The work should be done as carefully as possible, because. the appearance of the edge of the future product depends on this.

  5. Next comes the preparation of the main mixture. For 3 parts of acrylic, 1 part of mineral chips and the necessary part of the dye are mixed. Mineral crumb must first be washed with water and dried. The hardener comes last, preceded by direct application.
  6. The mixture is then applied with a brush to the inner surface of the mold. Necessarily evenly and in several layers.

    All components are mixed strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

    It will take a day for the mixture to dry.

  7. Let's start with reinforcement. A glass mat is placed and pressed into the mold, onto which glue is applied (1:1 polyester resin and calcite) mixed with a hardener. A pre-prepared chipboard form is embedded. The load is placed on top.
  8. Finally, the last layer of adhesive is poured (1:1.5 polyester resin and calcite) mixed with a hardener.
  9. After the final completion of the polymerization process (about 4 hours), the chipboard blank is removed, the product is finally cleaned and polished.

    The finished product is ground, polished, mounted on the headset frame.

Today, not all people can afford to buy expensive trendy furniture items and accessories. Not everyone can afford the services of professional interior designers, with their decor proposals from the Red Data Book species of wood.

But we will not be mistaken if we say that in order to make a reliable and beautiful thing for your relatives and friends, all that is enough to have is desire, patience and a little imagination.

VIDEO: Everything about the production of acrylic stone worktops.

Liquid stone is gradually replacing not only natural, but also artificial stone. It has a lot of advantages over each of these types of stones, which make it attractive in the construction and decoration of premises and buildings. At the same time, its production technology is so simple that it is suitable for any business with a different budget. All this makes the liquid stone business an attractive business.

What is the product

Before starting the production of liquid stone, it is worthwhile to figure out what kind of product it is. This is a specially prepared mixture that dissolves with water, stirs, and after hardening resembles natural stone in structure and appearance. Depending on what product is needed, it is given the desired shape in advance. The stone can then be polished down to a mirror finish.

Product Benefits

But the similarity with natural material and the ability to cast any shape are not the only advantages that liquid stone has. It can be used both for interior decoration and for facade work. Its dense structure is resistant to the actions of the natural environment. In addition, the styling features make it a hygienic material that is easy to keep clean.

In addition, liquid stone is much lighter than natural or artificial, and therefore it is easier to transport. And the most pleasant advantage of the material is that it has more than 200 shades, so it can be chosen for any interior.

Applications

Today, stone is used in such areas of construction and decoration:

  • design of swimming pools;
  • covering the steps on the stairs;
  • countertop manufacturing;
  • production of coatings for sanitary ware;
  • production of floor coverings and more.

Liquid stone can be implemented in many areas. It is important to choose your direction and organize a marketing strategy for it. For example, make countertops, bar counters or finish plumbing.

Case registration

To work officially and give the opportunity to develop a business, it is necessary to register a company. The form of entrepreneurial activity will depend on how large-scale production is planned. So, if you are going to fulfill small orders, you can register an individual entrepreneur. If you plan to work with a large number of customers, including construction companies, it is worth registering an LLC. When registering a business, it is best to stay on a simplified tax payment system: either 6% of income or 15% of net profit.

room

To organize production, you will need a room of at least 30 square meters. m. It must be divided into two zones. In one, the actual production of stone molds will be carried out, and in the other, their polishing. Please note that the production of products requires plumbing and sewage.

Equipment

The manufacturing technology of the material is relatively simple and does not require special equipment. First of all, you will need containers for mixing the mixture, drills with various nozzles to bring the mixture to the desired state, pouring molds and grinders. You will also need additional equipment: brushes, grinding wheels, emery. All this equipment is inexpensive. It can pay off already in three months of work, although the average payback period is kept at the level of about six months.

Stone manufacturing technology

The production technology of the material is similar to polymer floors. The stages of production include the following processes:

  • A chemical solution or water is added to the mixture in the required proportion.
  • The components are thoroughly mixed until all the necessary chemical processes are completed and a plastic substance is formed.
  • The solution is poured into a mold or applied to the floor, wall or other desired product.
  • After the mixture sets and hardens, it is polished to the desired degree.

Sales of products

Before opening a business, you need to decide on the direction of activity - what exactly will you specialize in. Proceeding from this, a system for marketing products is thought out and built.

Most often, entrepreneurs perform work on the construction of houses, apartments or interior decoration. Orders can be placed in several ways. In the first case, it is possible to produce a stone directly on the customer's site. Since the equipment for production is small and small-sized, it is quite possible to be located at the construction site. But in this case, you must have your own transport such as "Gazelle".

The second option is the production of products to order. In this case, you need to go to the customer only for measurements and to receive an advance payment. The order itself is completed on average within a week. Delivery can be organized as an additional service or presented as a promotion, offering a reduced price or even free delivery. It all depends on the level of competition in your area.

Business Profitability

The financial side of the issue looks quite attractive. It will take about 670 thousand rubles to start the business, although some experts argue that 80 thousand can be dispensed with. The main expenses will go to such positions:

  • 25 thousand rubles for marketing.
  • 25 thousand rubles for transportation costs.
  • 200 thousand rubles for tools and raw materials.
  • 200 thousand rubles to the main equipment.
  • 200 thousand rubles for rent.
  • 20 thousand rubles for other expenses.

The cost of a square meter of liquid stone on the market varies from 7 thousand rubles. up to 10. At the same time, the cost of the product does not exceed 3 thousand rubles. Accordingly, you can earn an average income of about 350 thousand rubles per month. Wages for workers will be minimal, because the labor is unskilled and almost everyone can work with liquid stone. Accordingly, the business can pay off in six months.

The technology for the production of various finishing materials is constantly evolving. There are new ways to finish the surfaces of various products. One of them, which has a relatively short period of use, but which has found wide application during this time, is liquid stone.

The use of certain chemical components and coloring pigments allows you to get an imitation of a stone surface on almost any material, even with your own hands.

The finishing technology is so simple that it can be easily done independently with the necessary tools and materials.

Working with liquid stone

When performing independent work on the manufacture of products based on liquid stone, the following tools may be needed:

  • Electric drill;
  • Compressor;
  • Electric jigsaw;
  • Screwdriver;
  • spray gun;
  • Manual grinder;
  • Milling cutter manual;
  • Hot glue gun;
  • Drill nozzle - mixer;
  • Desktop.

The production of products using this technology is unthinkable without the use of specialized materials that form the basis of the coating. It is necessary to prepare:

  • Sheets of chipboard (can be uncoated);
  • Sheets of fibreboard;
  • fiberglass;
  • Plasticine;
  • Resin chemical general purpose;
  • Filler;
  • Colored pastes;
  • Hardener;
  • Acetone;
  • hot glue;
  • Calcite;
  • Gelcoat.

After preparing all the components of the liquid stone and the necessary equipment, you can proceed to the implementation of trial products. The list of them is great. These are window sills, and countertops, and plumbing. To get the initial skills, try to make some simple product, for example, a countertop for a kitchen table.

This technology has two main methods for obtaining products - direct and reverse. In the first method, the surface of the finished product or workpiece made of chipboard or fiberboard is sprayed with a working composition, followed by drying and grinding. The thickness of the application is about two millimeters. The large layer thickness makes the method more expensive. At the same time, finished products can acquire a decorative effect. The second method is longer, but requires less expensive materials. Let's dwell on it.

To make a liquid stone tabletop with your own hands, it is necessary to cut out two parts from a fiberboard sheet with an electric jigsaw, the size of which is more than five millimeters on each side of the future product. Then they stick together. In the event of a discrepancy in the shape of the connected parts, they are additionally processed along the edges. Then the resulting workpiece is transferred to the desktop.

Strips of sheet materials - plywood, chipboard or plastic are attached to the table along the edge of the workpiece, placing them on the edge and fixing them with hot glue. The workpiece is removed from the resulting matrix and cut off by five millimeters on each side. The place of the future edge of the countertop is smeared with plasticine and shaped with a figured template that repeats the shape of the cutter. For better separation of the finished product from the surface of the table, all internal surfaces of the matrix are treated with a release agent. After its absorption, after fifteen minutes, perform the following operations.

The prepared mixture of components is sprayed with a gun onto the lower and side surfaces of the matrix. The applied composition should harden within half an hour. Then, to increase its strength, it is laid with fiberglass and filled with soil - a mixture of resin, coloring pigment and filler (calcite). The previously cut tabletop blank is placed in the filled matrix and it is loaded evenly. After the soil hardens, after an hour and a half, the loads are removed, and the surface of the workpiece is finally primed with a small layer.

To give the resulting product maximum decorativeness, the edges are milled after final hardening, and the surface is polished for one and a half hours with abrasive materials of various grain sizes and polished.

As follows from the article, the technology described above does not require specialized equipment. The main task of a home master who decided to work with liquid stone with his own hands is the acquisition of high-quality consumables and the availability of sufficient working areas equipped with a supply and exhaust ventilation system.

Dear readers, comment on the article, ask questions, subscribe to new publications - we are interested in your opinion :)

Do-it-yourself liquid stone is quite simple to make. It is a modern finishing material, which is manufactured using a technology that allows you to achieve an imitation of the resulting products with the appearance of natural stone. This name is explained by the fact that the finished product is the result of the polymerization of a multicomponent liquid composition based on polyester resins. The resulting materials are used in various areas, it can be finishing work, facade cladding, as well as the manufacture of sanitary ware. As a result, the following products are obtained:

  • sculptures;
  • decorative fountains;
  • steps;
  • countertops;
  • baths.

Liquid stone is used, which you can make with your own hands, and for finishing rooms for various purposes. Products are cheap, but very durable and ductile, which is sometimes necessary. This is true when facing surfaces with an irregular configuration. Manufacturing can be turned into a profitable business.

Before proceeding with the manufacture of liquid stone for countertops, it is necessary to complete the form. The surface in the end should be as smooth as possible, so the base should be made strong. This is due to the fact that the solution should not push through the material with its weight. To do this, you can use sheets of chipboard, which are installed on racks or goats.

The surface of the base must be covered with something in order to separate the countertop from the chipboard after solidification. An excellent solution would be the use of a polymer film. A single sheet is installed on several goats, only after that you can start making the mold. It can be done for multiple countertops.

The next step is to prepare a liquid stone for the countertop. To do this, you can use a cement-sand base, to which additional ingredients are added. These can be fillers in the form of sand, as well as resin and marble chips. The penultimate component acts as a binder.

Overview of additional properties of liquid stone

Polyester resin is usually included in the liquid stone, which is a polymer composition. She 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 polyester resin is added to the ingredients, then the surface after polymerization will require practically no maintenance, it will be enough to wipe it with a soft cloth dipped in soapy water. In most cases, such cladding is used in interior decoration, as well as in the manufacture of furniture.

The coating is polymeric, it imitates the color and texture of natural material, which, unlike natural, is more plastic and warm. It makes excellent countertops and window sills, which can be made in imitation of a concrete or brick wall.

The stone does not fade in the sun and has increased wear resistance. 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 less weight. Products are environmentally friendly, they are resistant to mechanical stress and temperature extremes, do not corrode and do not get scratched 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 is completely solidified. One of the fundamental 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 the 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 using the spraying method. 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 method of pollination is divided into two types:

  • direct spraying;
  • reverse spraying.

The first method is as follows: primer is applied to the workpiece, and then 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 terms of the backspray method. It is used if the blank is not part of a piece of furniture.

Products are laid on a molding surface made of glass or chipboard, the contours are outlined, and then a plastic or chipboard rim is installed. A layer of anti-adhesive is applied to the surface, and then liquid stone is sprayed. After its partial hardening, soil is sprayed so that the layer of stone does not shine through. As a result, it is possible to obtain a form where polyester resin is poured. After polymerization, the products are removed.

Production of liquid granite

The manufacturing technology of liquid granite provides for the observance of certain rules. The first of them says that the production room 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 required.

The production of liquid stone begins with degreasing the surface, removing dust and dirt 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, you need to use a ratio of 2 to 1. The first ingredient is a polymer resin. A hardener is added before spraying. The resulting composition is applied to the base. To do this, you can use one of the two methods that were described above. The surface of the new product must be ground and polished.

Production of liquid marble

If you want to make liquid stone with your own hands, you can try to make marble. It is very popular, which is especially true of 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 chosen, marble can be obtained in imitation of the following types of stones:

  • onyx;
  • malachite;
  • granite;
  • jasper;
  • natural marble.

When 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, and it is a lightweight, environmentally friendly and flexible material with acrylic polymers and marble chips. Such products can be cut even with scissors or a knife, and also pasted on the walls instead of wallpaper.

Additional area of ​​use

The material has a perfectly smooth, seamless surface, so it can be used for cladding irregularly shaped structures, namely:

  • spherical objects;
  • columns;
  • arches.

Before you make a liquid stone, you need to prepare the appropriate equipment:

  • casting molds;
  • mixer;
  • spray;
  • brushes.

Form Information

Pouring molds are also called matrices, but a sprayer is needed for a gel coat. To stir the composition, you need to stock up on a mixer, while lubricating the molds will have to be done with brushes. Forms for marble are made on the basis of polyurethane rubber. The matrix is ​​durable and does not tend to deform, so it is expensive, but its price pays off, because production is highly profitable.

Material composition

If you started the manufacture of liquid stone, then you must adhere to the proportions. To do this, polyester or acrylic resin is mixed with marble chips, using a ratio of 4 to 1 for this. Cement or lime mortar or building gypsum can be used as a binder. However, resins are most commonly used because they provide high strength.

Conclusion

Liquid stone products are used everywhere today. These can be decorative elements or parts of furniture, as well as facing materials. It is noteworthy that you can do them yourself, which will save a lot. In addition, there are a lot of varieties of such a stone today, and all the ingredients can be found in a building materials store. But you can do production based on the technology that you like more than others.

The technology for the production of various finishing materials is constantly evolving. There are new ways to finish the surfaces of various products. One of them, which has a relatively short period of use, but which has found wide application during this time, is liquid stone.

The use of certain chemical components and coloring pigments allows you to get an imitation of a stone surface on almost any material, even with your own hands.

The finishing technology is so simple that it can be easily done independently with the necessary tools and materials.

Working with liquid stone

When performing independent work on the manufacture of products based on liquid stone, the following tools may be needed:

  • Electric drill;
  • Compressor;
  • Electric jigsaw;
  • Screwdriver;
  • spray gun;
  • Manual grinder;
  • Milling cutter manual;
  • Hot glue gun;
  • Drill nozzle - mixer;
  • Desktop.

The production of products using this technology is unthinkable without the use of specialized materials that form the basis of the coating. It is necessary to prepare:

  • Sheets of chipboard (can be uncoated);
  • Sheets of fibreboard;
  • fiberglass;
  • Plasticine;
  • Resin chemical general purpose;
  • Filler;
  • Colored pastes;
  • Hardener;
  • Acetone;
  • hot glue;
  • Calcite;
  • Gelcoat.

After preparing all the components of the liquid stone and the necessary equipment, you can proceed to the implementation of trial products. The list of them is great. These are window sills, and countertops, and plumbing. To get the initial skills, try to make some simple product, for example, a countertop for a kitchen table.

This technology has two main methods for obtaining products - direct and reverse. In the first method, the surface of the finished product or workpiece made of chipboard or fiberboard is sprayed with a working composition, followed by drying and grinding. The thickness of the application is about two millimeters. The large layer thickness makes the method more expensive. At the same time, finished products can acquire a decorative effect. The second method is longer, but requires less expensive materials. Let's dwell on it.

To make a liquid stone tabletop with your own hands, it is necessary to cut out two parts from a fiberboard sheet with an electric jigsaw, the size of which is more than five millimeters on each side of the future product. Then they stick together. In the event of a discrepancy in the shape of the connected parts, they are additionally processed along the edges. Then the resulting workpiece is transferred to the desktop.

Strips of sheet materials - plywood, chipboard or plastic are attached to the table along the edge of the workpiece, placing them on the edge and fixing them with hot glue. The workpiece is removed from the resulting matrix and cut off by five millimeters on each side. The place of the future edge of the countertop is smeared with plasticine and shaped with a figured template that repeats the shape of the cutter. For better separation of the finished product from the surface of the table, all internal surfaces of the matrix are treated with a release agent. After its absorption, after fifteen minutes, perform the following operations.

The prepared mixture of components is sprayed with a gun onto the lower and side surfaces of the matrix. The applied composition should harden within half an hour. Then, to increase its strength, it is laid with fiberglass and filled with soil - a mixture of resin, coloring pigment and filler (calcite). The previously cut tabletop blank is placed in the filled matrix and it is loaded evenly. After the soil hardens, after an hour and a half, the loads are removed, and the surface of the workpiece is finally primed with a small layer.

To give the resulting product maximum decorativeness, the edges are milled after final hardening, and the surface is polished for one and a half hours with abrasive materials of various grain sizes and polished.

As follows from the article, the technology described above does not require specialized equipment. The main task of a home master who decided to work with liquid stone with his own hands is the acquisition of high-quality consumables and the availability of sufficient working areas equipped with a supply and exhaust ventilation system.

Dear readers, comment on the article, ask questions, subscribe to new publications - we are interested in your opinion 🙂

Articles that will be of interest to you:

Liquid stone is used in modern construction. According to its characteristics, it is not inferior to natural stone, and even surpasses it in some parameters of properties.

An unusual material, distinguished by practicality and beauty, has won the trust of consumers, because with its help it is possible to effectively decorate buildings, structures and their facades, providing them with surface protection and giving a modern and respectable appearance. It is also used for interior decoration, to create durable furniture coverings, as well as for countertops and sinks. Since the material is popular and in demand, having organized a business for its production, the project manager will not be left without customers.

Appearance of liquid stone

What is liquid stone

Liquid stone is a building mixture of a special composition, which, when combined with water, hardens and forms a surface that looks like a real stone.

The difference can be felt when holding the material in hand, as it is warmer and smoother. After the final hardening of the product, it must be sanded to give a glossy, matt or mirror surface. The composite material has a dense non-porous structure, which makes it resistant to dirt absorption and to external factors such as temperature extremes, high humidity and ultraviolet rays.

Specifications

Technology nuances

Artificial stone is a hardened and processed composite liquid mass of unsaturated polyester resins with a specific filler. It hardens after adding the accelerator and hardener to the prepared base solution. The liquid mixture is a semi-finished product for any products that are made by spraying or casting.

Material features, advantages and disadvantages

All items made of composite material are durable and strong. They are valued for their spectacular appearance and rich decorative possibilities, as they are made in a variety of palettes and textures. The uniqueness of the material lies in the possibility of creating monolithic surfaces without seams and joints. The surface of the treated product is impact resistant, moisture resistant and hygienic. It is easy to care for and consists of cleaning with soapy water. Cracks and irregularities in the material that have arisen during the operation of the product can be easily eliminated, and the repair site will not be noticeable.

However, along with many advantages, liquid stone also has disadvantages that can cause a person to refuse to purchase a product made from it. The high cost is forcing middle-income consumers to look for products made from more affordable materials such as ceramic tile, laminated chipboard, MDF, porcelain stoneware, stainless steel, or even solid wood. Only granite, marble or natural quartz can cost more.

Another disadvantage of the composite material is the small thickness of the deposition, which usually does not exceed four millimeters. Low moisture resistance and adhesion parameters increase the likelihood of liquid stone peeling off the base on which it was applied. However, manufacturers provide a guarantee for their products, the validity of which is relevant subject to the fulfillment of the requirements for operation. If the subject of entrepreneurial activity in the process of fulfilling an order complies with the norms and requirements for the technological process, then the result of his work will please the customer for a long time with its spectacular and respectable appearance.

Liquid stone product sample

It is worth considering that artificial composite material is more durable than natural. Its radioactivity parameter is normal, while many natural materials, such as granite, for example, are significantly exceeded.

Where used, products

Do-it-yourself products made from liquid stone are used in the construction industry in situations where processing of external and internal surfaces is necessary.

The use of the material is relevant for finishing the floor, window sills, countertops, bar counters, pools, stairs and sinks. It is an excellent alternative to traditional tiles and is used for decorative and protective purposes on the facades of buildings, as well as in kitchens and bathrooms.

The business idea for the production of liquid stone products is suitable for creating both small and medium-sized businesses, with different investments.

Liquid stone came to replace natural, and then artificial stone. Due to its structure, which has no pores, liquid stone does not absorb moisture and can be used to finish any surface. Liquid stone is used for finishing both external and internal surfaces. Outside, the facades of buildings are trimmed, inside both floors and countertops.

What is liquid stone?

Liquid stone is a mixture that, when diluted with water, solidifies after some time, and a surface is obtained that resembles natural stone in its structure. After hardening, the surface is subjected to grinding, depending on what they want to get, a matte or glossy surface, using grinding wheels of different grain sizes. The surface of the liquid stone is almost possible to polish to a mirror state.

To organize a business, you need a room of 30 sq.m. with access to water. The minimum set of equipment is containers, molds, drills with mixing nozzles, grinders, and small tools. Of the consumables - sandpaper, grinding wheels and brushes.

Sales of products.

But before starting this business, you should clearly understand your marketing scheme. By which you must understand your potential customers and of course your capabilities. If you want to work to order on the territory of a client, for example, finishing a country house, then, accordingly, the equipment should be slightly different and you should have a Gazelle-type car. The most common business option is the manufacture of countertops and sinks from liquid stone.

Entrepreneurs in this case work on their territory under the orders of customers. They only come out for measurements. After the prepayment, the execution of the order begins, an average of seven days. Countertops and sinks are made for both bathrooms and kitchens, as well as bar counters. At the request of the client, the walls near the sinks are finished with liquid stone, instead of standard tiles, and the floors are also poured. Designers say that the floor in the kitchen should be the color of the countertop or vice versa.

Also, for a successful business, you should definitely negotiate with manufacturers of kitchen furniture, as well as plumbing stores, especially with luxury plumbing salons. You can get good orders by communicating with designers, you also need to cooperate with them.

Production technology.

The color of the liquid stone is changed with the help of special additives, which are also sold by the manufacturers of the stone itself. These supplements cost around 200 rubles. The cost of the liquid stone itself is approximately 3000 rubles. - this is the price for 1 sq.m. The price of finished products is from 6000 to 9000 rubles. the final price depends on the complexity and greed. Some manufacturers go to the trick and try to reduce, where possible, the thickness of the liquid stone spray to 0.2 mm, thereby saving on rather expensive raw materials. But not the fact that their cunning will not be revealed!

Outcome.

The best approach is a clear marketing of products from the outset and perhaps creative thinking in the field of liquid stone applications, perhaps you will become an innovator in new areas of application and be able to offer an exclusive service to the client.





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