Absolute Black epoxy/resin of choice?

[jwr]

I will be installing absolute black countertops in my kitchen and was wondering:

1)  What epoxy or polyester resin would you recommend?

2)   What caulk/silicone would you recommend for the backsplash joints?

3)  What material/procedure would you recommend for sealing the countertops after installation?

Thanks

[Mark D.]

Thanks for posting. You can start here:

1) You don't say whether this is for a lamination or for seams and I like different glues for both of them. You should color the glue to match the base color of the stone. If it is black just get the black color but if you need more than one color you may want to just get a coloring kit.They can both be colored with the products you can find in this link:
http://www.defusco.com/Glues:-Epoxy,-Polyester,-etc.-Coloring-Kits/c82_504/index.html

For seams I like knife grade polyester resin. It is easier to work with than epoxy. You will need color to match the stone. Here is what I would use:
http://www.defusco.com/Glues:-Epoxy,-Polyester,-etc.-Polyester-Resins/c82_501/p1432/TENAX-KNIFE-GRADE-POLYESTER---1-LITER/product_info.html

For a granite lamination (that is a strip glued to the underside of the countertop to give the stone the appearance of being twice as thick as it is) you want to use an epoxy. For this application I like flowing epoxies. These epoxies can also be colored to match ths stone. You can pick from this page:
http://www.defusco.com/Glues:-Epoxy,-Polyester,-etc.-Epoxy-for-Natural-Stone/c82_500/index.html

2) I would install the countertop to the substrate with 100% clear silicone. It is an excellent adhesive. You can also use it to install the backsplashes to the wall. For the seams between the wall and the backsplash and the backsplash and the countertop I like a siliconized acrylic latex caulk. You could use the silicone caulk here, but it is shiny and has a tendency to stand out. Plus you can't paint it and you may want to paint the wall down to your backsplashes.

3) If you are going to seal it use Hydrex by Tenax. Before you seal it test it to see if it absorbs water. Take a wet rag and a dry rag. Wipe it with the wet rag, then wipe it with the dry rag. If it stays darker it is absorbing moisture and you should seal it. Here is a link to Hydrex:
http://www.defusco.com/Glues:-Epoxy,-Polyester,-etc.-Hydrex-Sealer/c82_502/p2095/TENAX-IMPREGNATOR-AND-SEALER---1-LITER/product_info.html

Glad to be of service,
Mark

[Stone Dude]

like Mark said, test it first to see if it will absorb, if it doesnt dont bother sealing it it will be a waste of your time. if its black absolute, no matter where it came from i honestly doubt it will absorb anything.  as for caulking, use black or charcoal, and epoxy, mix black color, or pigment in it. you can use resin or epoxy, just make sure you put the right maount of hardener. too much and it will go off too fast and be brittle, too little and it wont cure completely.

[jwr]

Thank you both so much for your quick reply.  I've already ordered the needed items from your site.  I can't believe the nerve of some people to ask for advice and then go buy from somewhere else to save 42 cents (just something that annoyed me last night as I was looking through the forum)