Repairing mantle

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ilyaz

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The centerpiece of this fireplace mantle is polished concrete. It's fine but I need to fix the ugly sides, and do it "right" which means it should be an inexpensive fix that would blend with the centerpiece which is 2" thick. The space that I need to fill on each side is about 12" long by 6.5" wide. Can I find a brick or paver of this size, or slightly smaller, so it would not require cutting, which could be attached to the fireplace and the centerpiece with mortar? Checked the local HDepot but didn't find anything fitting.
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Build a form and cast the exact piece you need for both sides. I would use this product. Rapid Set Cement All.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rapid-S...pose-Construction-Material-02010055/202188447

Thanks! So are you saying make a brick using a form and then after it hardens attach it to the fireplace using mortar? Or make it in-place? Might be hard to build the form because of the shape of the fireplace wall underneath.

Also, in one of the videos on the HD website, they advertise Cement All, Mortar Mix and Concrete Mix. any difference between these for this project?
 
Thanks! So are you saying make a brick using a form and then after it hardens attach it to the fireplace using mortar? Or make it in-place? Might be hard to build the form because of the shape of the fireplace wall underneath.

Also, in one of the videos on the HD website, they advertise Cement All, Mortar Mix and Concrete Mix. any difference between these for this project?


I’m not an expert on the products but I think I would use the Cement All product and not mix it quite as soupy as they show. I would build a wood box with the inside dimensions I want the finished piece to be and I would put it together with drywall screws so once it cures (about one hour) I could take it apart to get the block out. Maybe spray the inside of the box with Cooking Spray like Pam so it won’t stick. The wood needs to be smooth so you don’t cast grain into the block.


After the blocks are made I would mortar it in place with the same stuff.


I think it should work. Others may be along with a better plan.
 
So far the plan has been to make the sides flat to match the centerpiece. But would it be easier to find some rocks of shape/size/color similar to the fireplace itself and then attach them with mortar? Would Cement All work for this purpose, if I mix if less soupy?
 
So far the plan has been to make the sides flat to match the centerpiece. But would it be easier to find some rocks of shape/size/color similar to the fireplace itself and then attach them with mortar? Would Cement All work for this purpose, if I mix if less soupy?


Sure if that is the look you are going for. I would use the product called mortar mix.


Finding stones to match shouldn’t be too hard.
 
Either way, how easy it to match the color of the new mortar to the original one? Is it possible to add anything to the mix to make it lighter or darker?
 
Either way, how easy it to match the color of the new mortar to the original one? Is it possible to add anything to the mix to make it lighter or darker?

Yes, The same places that sell it also have powder color additives. You will have to experiment on small samples and let them dry to see if you can get a perfect match.
 
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