How To Make Stone Veneer

Veneer is a material that is created when a thin layer of something thick is put over an existing material. The new layer gets cut, glued, or inserted into and it looks like the new material was present.

Using veneer as an alternative to wood for furniture construction is a nice way to introduce newer furniture designers. They can use the standard lumber sizes and quantities to create new pieces!

Many times, when making veneer, you will use some of the backside and top surfaces. This is true because even though it looks like a thin piece of wood, it actually holds up well over time due to its thickness.

Backside and top-surface work can be done on their own or in tandem to get both sides of the picture.

Contents:

Buy mortar

how to make stone veneer

Whence do we get mortar? It’s a ingredient that can be bought at the construction supply store. In fact, it’s called mortar because you can use it to blend together stones and veneer.

Mortar is typically used in home construction, because it can be difficult to find it in a store. However, if you have home improvement stores near you, ask them what type of mortar they use for building. Some use Pebax® brand rock mortar instead of sandstone and slate, for example.

Sandstone and slate are two types of rocks that contain some sand inside of them. When mixed with water, these two materials can look like a smooth stone or slate. When mixed with mortar, they become part of the same product.

Mix the mortar

how to make stone veneer

When you mix the mortar, you have to use water and sand. The water and sand need to be mixed in, it does not come in a bag.

You can use any water or sand mixture that you want, but there are specific ones for stone veneer. These vary in color and texture depending on what they are!

These vary from clear to dark brown to green. All of these colors can be matched with other materials to make furniture or decorations!

The ratio of water to sand is important too, too little of this type of water will not harden properly. Too much of it will not provide enough reinforcement for the stone veneer to hold its shape.

Pour the mortar into the mold

how to make stone veneer

Now that the plaster is set, you can start adding your stone. You can use a large handful of crumbled up stone, or you can use an entire slab. Either way, you must add it very precisely.

If you are using a larger piece of stone, like an apple, hold the piece by its two bottom sides and then place the top edge against the middle and push down. The same procedure must be done for thinner stones like granite or marble.

If you are using a smaller piece of stone, like a carousel wood block, hold it by its handle and then place the edge against the other edge and pulled out in one quick motion.

Place the stone into the mold

how to make stone veneer

Once the mold is empty, put the stone in a warm water bath to set. This may take several hours or days depending on the size of the stone.

After it sets, you can handle it if you feel like it is still soft. It will start to harden as it sits so try not to worry about that until after the season is over!

Now that you make stone veneer your dog will love doing something cute with it! Try making some markers or a toy they would enjoy playing with together. A nice way to store these is in a grocery bag, just make sure it is big enough for the size of the stone.

Let dry

how to make stone veneer

Once the stone is damp, it will not dry out easily. Make sure to let it dry completely before cutting or shaping the stone.

Cutting and shaping the stone can be a little tricky at first. Try practicing on a piece of slate or on some natural rock you have around the house.

You may need to take your time to make sure it is perfectly cut and shaped. Once it is cut, shape, and then finish with a fine buffingpolish to bring out the details.

Peel off mold

how to make stone veneer

When you’re ready to make your stone veneer, the first step is to remove any layers of dust, dirt, or other debris that may be adhering to the stone.

This can be done by doing a dutch clean, or by gently sweeping with a vacuum-corseverized pad.

If doing a dutch clean, start with the bottom layer of stone and work up until you reach the top. If using a vacuum-corseverized pad, use one at a time until all the stone is removed!

Tagboard has some great products that will help remove any foreign objects such as stickers or jewelry findings.

Sand gently

how to make stone veneer

When sanding your stone, it is important to use a sharp knife. You can use moderate pressure and even light touch with the knife, but if you need more thickness then use more sandpaper.

The grain of the sandpaper should be kept. If there is none, then the sanding will be uneven and maybe not cut through as smoothly as possible.

If you want your stone veneer to have a slight Matte look, then add some additional sandpaper by about 2–4 degrees. If you want it to be Dustier or a Gray color, then increase the amount of sandpaper by about 6–8 degrees.

You can do this without alarming your neighbors! Our expert tip is to say that if we see another cutting out what we are doing, then we speed up the process by another layer of material.

Apply primer coat

After the final coat of paint is dry, you can now add the stone veneer. Use a primer coat to help prevent your stone from rubbing off on the paint and creating spotty wear.

To do this, use some watered-down glue to attach the piece of stone to the bottom of your kitchen cabinets. You will then have to add more over time as new layers of stone are placed on top.

Now that you have your beautiful, custom-made cabinets, let them do the talking! Add some doors and drawers if you want, and they are ready for use.

Do not add any hardware until next year due to possible water retention.

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