Step 1: (Cutting Out The Sink Hole)
* Before installing TopZero sink, visually check for any defects, or damages. Check mounting brackets, and the edgeless rim, as well as the bowls
The brackets perforated surface shall be perpendicular to the sink walls
* Bend the brackets with force of hand if necessary
Sink cut-out can be performed with automated CNC equipment, or water-jet by using the electronic template provided, or it can be done manually
* Locate where the sink needs to be positioned on the front side of the granite countertop
* Lay the sink upside down on the template paper. Trace the outline of the sink edge with a fine point marker, cut out the template precisely using scissors, or blade
* Turn over the template, and place it on the front face of the granite
The template is flipped because the sink might not be 100% symmetric due to its rimless nature
* Tape the template on the granite, and trace the outline with a fine point marker. Remove the template
* Use a grinder with a diamond blade to cut out the sink hole in the granite finished side up
The rimless TopZero sink will be inserted into the countertop from underside through the sink hole preferably tight, therefore the cutting shall be precise to 1116″ or less. Corners of TopZero are more solid than the sides which are flexible due to the rimless nature of the sink. Extra precision is needed while cutting on corner lines. The rimless sink edge is flexible, therefore the joint between the countertop material, and stainless steel edge can be minimized using spreader clamps, or tension rods while the sink is glued into the sink hole permanently
* When the cut out is complete, insert the sink into the sink hole. Grind the edges more as needed in order to fit the sink in place
* Turn the countertop finished side down. Make a thick 1/4″ bevel on the back side of the granite edge around the sinkhole
This bevel helps the sink to easily penetrate into the sinkhole, while it also serves like a ditch at the joint around the sinkhole, which to be filled with structural epoxy in the permanent mounting step, making a continuous bond, and watertight seam between the granite, and the stainless steel sink
* Trace the outline of the mounting brackets on the granite, and mark location of the bracket center holes on the granite * Remove the sink, and drill just one hole marked on each side of the sink. Place the insert nuts into the holes, and glue the nuts into the holes
Second option to drilling holes on granite: Cut a groove using the grinder at the bracket center hole locations marked for anchoring. Fill the grooves with structural epoxy. Wipe excessive epoxy, make it flat even with the surface. Place the sink into the sinkhole. Push it in firmly until the brackets are 1 /16″ away from the granite surface. Place shims under the brackets so that the brackets do not touch the granite surface. Place the insert nut/wing-nut/screw assembly into the grooves, until the insert nuts sink flush in the epoxy mud. Wait 10-15 minutes until the epoxy mud hardens. Unscrew the anchoring assembly, leaving the insert nut glued flush in the grooves
Third option to drilling holes on granite: Use the same anchoring method as in with undermount sink install. Cut a groove on each side of the sink hole approximately 3″ away from the sink-cut out line. Fill the grooves with structural epoxy, and place the insert nuts into the grooves The wing-nut/screw assembly will be used to hold the sink in place until the bonding epoxy glue cures, while it will also be useful to adjust the height of the rimless tip of the sink against the upper edge of the granite
Step 2: (Permanent Sink Mounting In-Shop Installation)
RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES:
“Quikrete Anchoring Two-Part Structural Epoxy_Single Cartridge” (sold at Home Depot or Lowes)
“Tension Rods” (sold at Bed, Bath & Beyond as spring tension curtain rods) or Spreader Clamps”
(sold at Home Depot, or Lowes_ Trigger clamp that converts to a spreader)
* Countertop finished side down, Clean the edge of the sink hole around the cut-out with denatured alcohol
* Apply a thick bead of two-part structural epoxy on the sink wall continuously around the sink edge over the bracket line, as well as on the perforated surface of the mounting brackets
* Place the sink into the granite, and firmly push it in. Observe the epoxy smooches in the joint, and spreads in between the brackets, and granite surface. Force the epoxy bead into the joint, smoothing it with a popsicle stick
* Take the four screw-wing-nut-washer assembly. Position the wingnut, and washer all the way up to the screw head
* Screw the assembly into the holes on the granite. Turn the wing-nuts until they touch the bottom plate of the brackets
* Turn the granite piece finished side up. Observe the location of the stainless tip against granite edge
The stainless edge shall be approximately 1 /8″ lower than the granite edge all along The 1 /8″ drop is critical for the epoxy glue to better stick on to the vertical granite edge
* Loose the wing-nuts, and push down the sink slightly, as needed, in order to level the stainless tip all around the sink hole with 1 /8″ drop. Use spacers, or shims between the granite, and mounting brackets if necessary for leveling
* Place tension rods, or spreader clamps in the sink in between opposing walls, in order to make the seam as tight as possible before the epoxy glue cures. Wait 15-20 minutes until the epoxy glue hardens
* Remove the tension rods, or spreader clamps
Step 3: (Permanent Sink Mounting / Jobsite Installation)
RECOMMENDED SUPPLY:
“Tenax Vigor Two Part Poly-Epoxy Knife Grade”
* Cover the edge of the granite, and stainless steel wall with masking tape, leaving approximately 1/16″ space both on the granite, and the stainless steel
* Mix color tints in the epoxy to match the color of the countertop material for seamless appearance
* Apply the color-mixed poly-epoxy on the seam, forcing it into the joint using popsicle sticks
* After the epoxy sets, sand, and polish the joint with orbital, drum or palm sander. Keep sanding evenly around the sinkhole until the stainless steel edge line appears
* Make a fine, micro bevel on the granite
* Remove the masking tape
* Scrap remaining epoxy on the granite, and stainless steel with a fine blade
* Clean the edge with denatured alcohol
