Covering a worn out, old countertop with coins creates a sleek, eye catching focus for your kitchen or bar. The very low cost of pennies makes them a popular selection for resurfacing countertops as well as the attractive copper color complements stainless appliances, fixtures and accessories. Utilizing a durable, clear epoxy coating lets the ball shine throughout and is easy for the average homeowner to set up.
Roughen any smooth surfaces around the countertop using sandpaper enough to get paint to adhere. Clean and dry the countertop surface. Paint the surface with interior latex paint and let it thoroughly dry. When choosing a paint color, remember a little it’s going to show through involving the coins on the countertop. Black will allow the color of the coins to stand out.
Collect enough coins to cover the countertop, which is a little less than 300 pennies per square foot of countertop surface. Wash any dull or tarnished coins in a solution of vinegar with a few shakes of salt. Allow the coins to sit in the mixture for approximately a minute to remove some of the tarnish and then burn the vinegar solution. Prepare a paste of baking soda and water and then rub the glue onto the coins to make them even shinier. Wash the coins with water and permit them to completely dry.
Measure the thickness of the coins and insert 1/8 inch to determine how far to attach the wood trim over the countertop to include the epoxy coating as it hardens and create a set countertop surface. For pennies, attach the timber 3/16 inch over the original countertop since pennies are a little thinner than 1/16 inch thick and the epoxy coating needs to cover the coins by marginally over 1/8 inch. Choose wood trim broad enough to cover the edge of the countertop underneath. Standard one-by-two, one-by-three or one-by-four timber boards should fit most applications. Cut and attach the wood trim around the edge of the countertop using carpenter’s glue and finishing nails. Produce a tight seal against the countertop to stop any epoxy from seeping through cracks until it hardens. Test the seal for leaks by pouring water along the edge. Dry the surface once you complete testing. Use a lot of glue and nails to make sure a strong connection so the trim withstands the power of the epoxy.
Put the coins down on the countertop, then butting them closely against each other. Start at one corner of the countertop, placing the coins from the trim borders and working toward the opposite corner. Cut down some coins utilizing metal shears to fill any tiny gaps as you reach the end of the countertop.
Put a drop cloth or plastic sheet across the countertop to protect surrounding furniture and floors.
Measure the epoxy resin and hardener included from the clear epoxy coating kit using two plastic measuring containers to keep the materials separate. Refer to the epoxy manufacturer’s instructions for particular proportions of resin and hardener. When using pennies, then you need approximately 5.62 oz of mixed epoxy each square foot of countertop. Mix epoxy in batches no larger than 1.5 gallons at one time. Check the manufacturer’s mixing instructions, as the process may differ slightly between goods. As a general guideline, start a timer and combine the epoxy resin and hardener in a big, tidy, heavy plastic, metal or wax-free paper container and then mix the two substances together thoroughly using a wooden paint-mixing rod to the prescribed length of time. Be sure to stir the mixture in all instructions and scrape the sides and bottom of the container to ensure the epoxy is completely combined. Don’t use a power drill of powered mixer or it might introduce more air bubbles than you can remove prior to the epoxy hardens.
Pour the epoxy slowly and carefully in a narrow flow over the coins. Without disturbing the coins, spread the epoxy evenly over them and upwards to the trim edge using a putty knife. Fill all of the gaps between coins and also make the layer of epoxy thick enough to cover the coins by a little over 1/8 inch. Do not be worried about obtaining the epoxy, since it must self-level until it hardens. Work fast and avoid touching the epoxy after about 10 to 25 minutes, depending on the magnitude of the project, or you may leave permanent marks in the surface.
Direct the hot atmosphere of a hair dryer over the countertop surface to get rid of little air bubbles in the epoxy. Pop any remaining bubbles using a toothpick. Epoxy feels hard and dry after letting it sit overnight, but allow it to completely recover and harden for a week or longer prior to placing any objects on the countertop or they may stick or adhere to your surface.
