making the cut: diamond blades

Stay current with www.concretedecor.net

Making The Cut:Diamond Blades

Micro-toppings: Thin Is In

Does Your Concrete Lack Fiber?

Contest Winner! Gerald Taylor

VOL. 3 NO. 4 • AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2003 • $6.95

Making The Cut:Diamond Blades

Micro-toppings: Thin Is In

Does Your Concrete Lack Fiber?

Contest Winner! Gerald Taylor

http://www.concretedecor.net

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2 • www.ConcreteDecor.net • Aug/Sept 2003

August/September 2003 • Vol. 3 No. 4Issue No. 12 • $6.95

Publisher: Bent O. Mikkelsen

Co-publisher: Ernst H. Mikkelsen

Editor: Rosemary Camozzi

Assistant Editor: Harlan Baldridge

Circulation: Sheri Mikkelsen

Design and Production: Stephen Stanley

Advertising Sales: Kathleen Goodman(314) 367-1121

Writers:Susan Brimo-CoxChristina Camara

Gail ElberStacy KlemencJohn StriederDenise Wendt

Contributing Writers:Bob Harris

Dave White

Editorial:Professional Trade Publications, Inc.

3410 West 11th AvenueEugene, OR 97405Tel: 541-341-3390Fax: 541-341-6443

Email: [email protected]

Circulation and Administration:Professional Trade Publications, Inc.

P.O. Box 25210Eugene, OR 97402Tel: 541-341-3390Fax: 541-341-6443

Email: [email protected]

Concrete Decor The Journal of DecorativeConcrete is published six times a year by

Professional Trade Publications, Inc. Bulk ratepostage paid at Lebanon Junction, KY and

additional mailing offices.ISSN 1542-1597

Subscriptions:One year: USA $19.95; Canada $32.00;

Other countries $60. All funds in U.S. dollars.

For Subscriber Services:Call 866-341-3703 Toll Free

For Advertiser Services:Call 877-935-8906 Toll Free

© 2003 Professional Trade Publications, Inc.

www.concretedecor.netONTHE COVER: This design was hand-drawn and cut using a 4" turboblade.Staining was done with acid stains,Miracle Gro and ironite.Project by Gerald Taylor,this year’s contest winner.

Greetings …

Well, I’ve been here fornine months now, soI guess it’s about time

I introduced myself.When I started last November as

editor of Concrete Decor magazine,I had a lot of experience in journalismbut didn’t know a thing aboutconcrete.

What an amazing education I’vehad. Becoming a part of this fast-growing segment of the industry has been an exciting experience.Concrete is a form of endless fascination for me as I’ve learned about itschemistry and properties as well as its capacity to accept color, patternand texture.

Many of our readers and advertisers have gone out of their way tomake sure I learn how to do things “the right way.” I appreciate that, asConcrete Decor aims to showcase only the most skilled work indecorative concrete.

The decorative concrete trade is growing rapidly as both contractorsand property owners become aware of its many possibilities. It is one ofthe more lucrative parts of the industry as well as one of the mostsatisfying for contractors, who enjoy expressing their artistic side asthey beautify their surroundings.

As editor, I am responsible for assembling all of the articles andphotos that appear in the magazine. I work with a number of excellentfreelance writers from around the country, and write an occasionalarticle myself. I also write product profiles and product and industrynews sections.

I welcome your input. Please feel free to contact me if you have ideasfor topics that you would like to see covered or want to show off aspecial project that you are particularly proud of. I can be reached at(877) 935-8906 or you can e-mail me at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Rosemary CamozziEditor

My first experience withoverlayments.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.ConcreteDecor.net




FEATURES14 Epoxy Aggregate Systems

From pebbles to terrazzo, troweled to broadcast: an introduction to four basic systems.by Susan Brimo-Cox

20 Diamond BladesThese blades always make the cut!by Christina Camara

26 The Contest! Cutting Pictures in Concrete with DiamondsCheck out the beautiful work done by our top finalists.

30 Micro-toppings:Beautiful, versatile and very thin, these toppings will alsoslim down your job costs.by Denise Wendt

36 Fiber ReinforcementNylon, steel or polypropylene? Make the right choice fordecorative jobs.by Gail Elber

DEPARTMENTS10 CONTRACTOR PROFILE: Architectural Concrete Design

Chris McMahon’s high-quality work and bold marketingplan help him stand out from the pack.by Stacey Enesey Klemenc

42 MANUFACTURER PROFILE: MiracoteFirst used by the Navy, these coatings can stand up to justabout anything.by John Strieder

44 Classifieds38 Concrete Marketplace04 Decorative Concrete Tips02 Editor’s Letter06 Industry News08 Industry Spotlight — Association News46 Product News40 Product Profiles

www.ConcreteDecor.net • Aug/Sept 2003 • 3

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Decorative Concrete Tips is a forum for readers to exchangeinformation about methods,tools,and tricks they’ve devised.We’ll pay for any we publish.Send details to CD Tips,ConcreteDecor,P.O.Box 25210,Eugene,OR 97402.We look forward tohearing from you!

Fixing a crack … with artistry

Iwas playing around with some ways to fix cracks in mystamped sidewalk at home. Any kind of patch repair willstick out like a red flag on the textured concrete. I liked

the idea of using the crack so it would fit into the look of mysidewalk and still prevent water from undermining thesidewalk.

I took a diamond blade and scored the crack. Next I tooka Dremel tool with a diamond bit and carved the outline ofthe leaves and stems. The plant I copied is an ivy vine. I wastrying to make it look like the plant is growing out of thejoint.

I used colored tile grout for the stem. Then I added somecolor to the leaves and sealed it. I’m really happy the way itturned out. I wanted it to look like the plant is growingacross the sidewalk.

— Dave White, OPC Sealant

DECORATIVECONCRETE TIPS




http://www.surfacegeltek.com

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Industry New

s

New hires at VICInternationalChristine Ladd has joined VicInternational Corp. as director ofpurchasing. Her backgroundincludes 15 years experience inboth purchasing and distribution ofaftermarket parts for heavyequipment machinery. She hasworked with both domestic andinternational vendors, routingfreight and implementing exclusiverelationships with vendors.

Dan Fowler has joined VicInternational in the capacity ofstone fabrication equipment salesand support. He will be active insales and support of bridge saws,gantry saws, polishers and CNCmachines. Fowler has been in theindustry for five years, and has first-hand knowledge of how equipmentdesign and construction will impactcustomer profits. He has beeninvolved in placing a variety ofequipment in operation forcompanies specializing in specialtywork from countertops to claddingand fireplaces.

For more information, visitwww.vicintl.com or call 800-423-1634.

Chris Ball joins VectorCorrosion TechnologiesJ. Christopher Ball has rejoinedVector Corrosion Technologies asdirector, sales and marketing. Ballwill be responsible for coordinatingand overseeing all specification,sales, and marketing efforts forVector, a leading supplier ofproducts and services for corrosionmitigation in concrete structures.He will be based out of the Medina,Ohio office.

Ball has more than 11 years ofconstruction industry experience,with a specialty in concreterehabilitation and corrosionprotection systems. He waspreviously senior marketdevelopmentmanager andproductmanager —concreterepair forMasterBuilders Inc.in Cleveland,Ohio;businessdevelopment manager for VectorCorrosion Technologies in Medina,Ohio; and product manager —concrete repair for Fosroc Inc.,Georgetown, Ky. Contact ChrisBall at (330) 723-1177.

Ardex celebrates 25thanniversaryArdex Engineered Cements iscelebrating its 25th anniversarywith the release of a specialcommemorative black mixingbarrel, available only until Dec. 31.While the color has changed fromred to black, the ease of use,capacity and tool kit inside areunchanged. The tool kit iscomprised of five Ardex measuringbuckets, pre-measured for precisewater control; an Ardex T-1 mixingpaddle, contoured to the inside ofthe barrel for fast and completemixing; an Ardex T-4 spreader, togauge the thickness of the productbeing installed; and an Ardex T-5smoother, which allows formaximum smoothness and isnecessary for feather-edging andtouch-ups.

Ardex is a leading manufacturerof specialty cements that are usedby flooring and building profes-sionals for substrate preparation,flooring installation, concrete repairand resurfacing. In 2000, Ardexacquired the W.W. HenryCompany, the world’s largestmanufacturer of flooring adhesivesused with resilient flooring, carpet,wood and ceramic tile. Bothcompanies are headquartered inAliquippa, Pa., near Pittsburgh.Visit www.ardex.com for moreinformation.


http://www.vicintl.com

http://www.ardex.com


Surface Gel Tek expands withnew officesDan Doolan, owner and operator ofSurface Gel Tek, has opened a newoffice/warehouse in Mesa, Arizona. Thenew location was needed to serve theexpansion demands of the company.Surface Gel Tek has recently signed onKelly Moore Paints CommercialCoatings Division and Duron Paints &Wallcoverings as additional keycustomers. The company’s products —all using patented gelled acidtechnology — include Tek Gel forprofiling (concrete surface preparation),HD24 (heavy-duty profiling andconcrete surface preparation) and TekGel for Stenciling (for decorativeconcrete stenciling). For moreinformation, call (480) 970-4580 orvisit www.surfacegeltek.com.

New Web site for MetalForms Corp.Metal Forms Corp. has launched a newWeb site, www.metalforms.com. Theupgraded site allows visitors to find andaccess product information more quicklyand easily. The company, established in1909, manufactures Meta Forms (steelforming systems for curb and gutter,paving, barrier and flatwork); Poly MetaForms (plastic forming system forflatwork and curb/gutter); Speed Screed(concrete finishing machines); and SteelStakes (nail, form and stringline stakes).For more information, call (414) 964-4550 or visit the new Web site.

New catalog from DiamondBladesDiamond Blades has introduced its newCore Cut blade catalog, a fully-illustrated 32-page brochure thatcontains detailed information about thecompany’s line of wet and dry diamondblades, cup grinders, grinding heads,grinding blocks and diamond wire.Many new items are featured in thecatalog, which can be obtained bycalling (800) 321-5336.

Memories of My DadBob Harris II, our featured contractor in the Feb/March 2002 issue of ConcreteDecor, died of a stroke on May 24th at the age of 67. Harris was a lifetime devotee ofconcrete construction who owned his own company in California for many years. Hepassed on his enthusiasm to his son, Bob Harris III, who was kind enough to share withus some of his memories.

What a truly great man and father my dad was. He not only dedicated hislife to his family but to the field of concrete construction, helping

virtually thousands of people along the way.I suppose my grandfather, who worked on the Hoover Dam pouring concrete,

sparked my Dad’s interest in concrete. Dad started in the business in NorthernCalifornia back in 1958 as a concrete finisher, working with my uncle Dino, whoalso has dedicated his life to the field of concrete construction. After working foryears around the state of California as a concrete finisher, my dad and a partnerstarted a highly successful business in 1975.

I remember the business started in our living room with one desk and a phone.My mom was the one on the phone in between taking care of her three children.At the time, as a kid, I could notunderstand the long days Dad devotedto the business, many times sacrificingpersonal times to make the businesssuccessful. Later in life, his hard effortswere better understood.

The business grew in the 80s towhere they were generating about$15 million worth of sales annually. In1993, Dad decided to semi-retire in a50-or-older subdivision. Holding thestatus of semi-retired meant that he wasup just as early every morning andworked longer in the day. Dad was alegend in this community, where he used the skills he learned from many of us inthe decorative field for staining, skimming, and texturing patios and drivewaysthroughout the community.

In one instance, his next-door neighbors asked my Dad to come over oneafternoon and give them a price on a sidewalk from the back patio to thedriveway. Dad informed them that the only cost to them was the cost of theconcrete. He told them he would try to work it into his schedule. The nextmorning, at 5:45 A.M., the neighbor was awakened by sounds outside (thinking itwas a burglar) only to find that my Dad was driving stakes in the ground whilesetting forms.

I could write a book on the thousands and thousands of wonderful memories I have of my father but I will stop here. There is no doubt that my Dad is inHeaven forming up new stairways to Heaven or making the existing stairwayslook even better!

Bob Harris III, formerly director of product training for the Scofield Institute, is nowpresident of the Decorative Concrete Institute.


http://www.surfacegeltek.com

http://www.metalforms.com


ASCC NewsLifetime Achievement Award goes toDan AndersonThe ASCC will present its LifetimeAchievement Award to Dan Andersonon Sept. 18 at the annual conference in

Dallas. The award isgiven tooutstandingindividuals in theindustry for thebody of theiraccomplishmentsfurthering concreteconstruction.

Anderson began his career in theconcrete industry in 1969 when hejoined the staff of ConcreteConstruction magazine. From 1985 to1999 he was president of The AberdeenGroup, which published ConcreteConstruction and two other industry-related magazines, and produced TheWorld of Concrete exposition.Anderson organized The World ofConcrete in 1975.

He served on the board of directorsof the ASCC as well as on severalASCC committees for several years. Heis also a past member of the marketdevelopment committee of theAmerican Concrete PavementAssociation, and the promotioncommittee of the National ReadyMixed Concrete Association.Anderson has been a member of theAmerican Concrete Institute for over25 years.

Annual conference highlightsdecorative concreteThe American Society of ConcreteContractors will hold its annualconference Sept. 18-20 at the DallasMarriot Quorum Hotel, in Dallas,Texas. The conference, open to allpersons interested in the concreteindustry, will feature Wally Adamchik,

Oklahoma City, Okla., was re-electedsecretary treasurer, and Janine Lutz,Opa-Locka, Fla.; Dionne HutchingsOjeda, Dallas, Texas; Joe Primavera,Arlington, Texas; and MichaelVerlennich, Staples, Minn., wereelected as new members of the board.

ACI NewsBulletin explains chemical admixturesChemical admixtures can significantlyenhance the properties of concrete inboth plastic and hardened states. ACIInternational’s newest educationalbulletin, Chemical Admixtures forConcrete (E4-03), provides a compre-hensive overview of these admixturesand explains how each type works tomodify the chemical and physicalproperties of concrete and to controlvariability.

The bulletin takes a non-technicalapproach to a complex topic. Inaddition to explaining the various waysadmixtures can improve concreteperformance, it introduces thefunctions and applications of thefollowing admixture types:● Air entraining● Water reducing and set controlling● Corrosion inhibiting● Shrinkage reducing ● Admixtures for controlling alkali-

silica reactivity● Admixtures for underwater

concreting

The publication also providesinformation about the dispensing systemsready-mix plants use to accuratelymeasure and inject liquid admixtures intoconcrete mixtures and the recommendedinjection sequence for the various classesof admixtures. A list of relevant ASTMstandards and an admixture glossary areincluded for quick reference.

The cost of the 12-page bulletin is$14.00 for ACI members (nonmember

Industry SpotlightAssociation News

a senior consultant with FMI, as thegeneral session speaker on Sept. 19.Adamchik works with contractors tomaximize personnel and organizationalproductivity and effectiveness.

Seminars and roundtables includetopics of interest to CEOs, projectmanagers, estimators, job superin-tendents, foreman and equipmentmanagers. Several topics are gearedtoward the decorative concreteindustry. Saturday’s schedule includesfour hours of demonstrations ofdecorative concrete installationtechniques. The cost is $275 forcontractor members and theiremployees, which includes two dinners,two continental breakfasts, one lunch,all seminars, round tables andconference materials. For moreinformation or to request a registrationform, call (866) 788-2722.

New boardmembers electedD. Thomas Ruttura,president of Ruttura& SonsConstruction inFarmingdale, N.Y.,was electedpresident of the ASCC for 2003-2004at the society’s annual meeting in LasVegas.

Paul A. Albanelli, Farmington Hills,Mich.; Alain Y. Bayoud, San Carlos,Calif.; Donald M. Marks, FortLauderdale, Fla.; and Michael J.Schneider, Monroe, Ohio, were electedvice presidents. Glen Shamblen, Tampa,Fla., was elected secretary/treasurer.Ward R. Malisch, Detroit, Mich., andHarry P. Moats, Alpharetta, Ga., wereelected to the board of directors.

The Decorative Concrete Council, aspecialty council of the ASCC, re-elected James D. Engelman, Macungie,Pa., director. Doug Bannister,



price is $22.50). For more information orto order, call (248) 848-3800 or visitwww.concrete.org.

PCA NewsReport identifies effect of ingredientson air-void stabilityVarious investigations throughout NorthAmerica have revealed that unusuallysevere winters have caused an inordinatenumber of reported cases of scaling inconcrete. A recent report from thePortland Cement Association, Cement-Alkali Level as it Affects Air-VoidStability, Freeze-Thaw Resistance, andDeicer Scaling Resistance of Concrete(RD128), investigates potentialcontributors to deterioration in concrete.

This investigation was designed toevaluate the stability of the air-voidsystem, as well as resistance to freezingand thawing and deicer chemicals inconcretes containing various generictypes of air-entraining admixtures anddiffering levels of alkalis in cement.

To obtain the report, call (800) 868-6733 or visit www.cement.org/rd128.

NRCMA NewsNew hire completes promotion teamThe National Ready Mix ConcreteAssociation has hired Michael E. Zaldo,of Atlanta, Georgia, as director ofconcrete promotion throughout theeastern United States. Zaldo has morethan 20 years experience in the ready mix,admixture and state association areas ofthe industry, as well as a bachelor’s degreein architecture from Kansas StateUniversity. Most recently, he served as adivision manager for Atlanta-basedPrecision Concrete Construction.Previously, he was employed by MasterBuilders in engineering services and sales.He has also served as director of industryservices for the Virginia Ready-MixedConcrete Association and as a staffarchitect.




http://www.concrete.org

http://www.cement.org/rd128

It’s a jungle out there, ChrisMcMahon will tell you. As presidentof Architectural Concrete Design, a

successful decorative concrete companyin Levittown, Pa., he knows that inorder to stay alive and thrive, you’ve gotto differentiate yourself from the yahooslurking about.

“You have a lot of people out therewith a pickup truck, a wheelbarrow and$1,000 worth of tools who callthemselves your competition,” he says.“The level of quality has gone downwhile the quantity [of contractors] hasgone up. You need to have an aggressiveapproach to the business and getinvolved if you want to succeed.”

He and his wife, Melinda, begantheir own business stamping concrete

ArchitecturalConcrete DesignLevittown,Pa.Chris McMahon is “wild”about concreteby Stacey Enesey Klemenc

ContractorProfile

ContractorProfile



back in 1993. Today, with about 45employees (including four designers),he estimates the company doesbetween 400 to 500 jobs per year,largely in Pennsylvania, New Jersey,Delaware and Maryland. “We havecrews that can place more than 10,000square feet per day,” he says, addingthat they not only stamp but alsoapply a variety of finishes includingchemical stains, exposed aggregateand sandblasting. McMahon alsooffers consulting to other decorativeconcrete companies.

Their company puts in more pooldecks than anything else, McMahonsays. A fair share of business alsoinvolves driveways, followed by patiosand various commercial jobs. They offer

turnkey services from consultation anddesign to installation and follow up, butMcMahon stresses that ArchitecturalConcrete Design is a subcontractor thatdeals exclusively with decorativeconcrete.

“We don’t dig the footings and wedon’t pour the walls,” he firmlymaintains, adding that someone elseshould be handling all that while you’reoff at another job. “If you want to be asuccessful decorative contractor,decorative concrete is all you should do.”

Stay focused and aim trueMcMahon notes that some companieshave problems because they let theircustomers dictate the type of workthey do. “You have to insist on quality

even when the customer doesn’t wantit.” If they’re looking to save moneyand want to forego, say, the colorhardener, he says, you’ve got to refuseto give them a shoddy job. “They needto defer to you as an expert. And ifyou’re not an expert, you’re not onlyhurting yourself, you’re hurtingeveryone in the industry.”

He concedes that there is a place forintegral color, but says, “Color hardeneris the only way to do stamped concretebecause it protects the texture. The onlyway to keep the concrete looking likestone is to make it as hard as stone.”

For the finishing touch, he says, helikes to use the “thinnest penetratingsealer available, to protect the concretefrom inside.”




which offers advice to otherbusinesses trying to gain a foothold inthe marketplace. “We can take a $2million business that’s losing moneyand turn it into a profit-makingmachine just by changing the waythey do things,” he says.

He says he will only train crews onthe job in real-life situations. “I wantthem to learn out in the field becausethe classroom is only theory. It doesn’tteach you how to deal with weatherconditions or time restraints.”

But the company does hold aseminar once a year for about 100architects from throughout the region.It’s an opportunity to familiarize themwith finishing textures and teach themabout decorative concrete so they canconfidently spec it in their jobs.

Get ready to rock and rollYou’ve got to convince your customers,as McMahon reiterates on his Website, that they don’t have to “settle forthe ordinary when the extraordinary isso attainable.”

So what does ArchitecturalConcrete Design have to offer that isso extraordinary?

Besides stamping jobs that are unlikeany others out there (thanks to the fourdesigners on staff) he offers rocksculptures carved by David Bloomfield,a master sculptor from California. Since1998, he has created a dozen or so ofthese rock formations. They featureeverything from foot bridges and swim-in caves with stereo sound toprotruding rocks that look like icebergsand erupting volcanoes. Depending onthe size, they range from $40 to $75 asquare foot.

Another product McMahon likes toincorporate is river stone. “We’ll takereal river stone or another stone andembed it into the surface to make itlook like larger stone cast aroundsmaller stone,” he says, addingsometime he uses real rock benches orstair sections. “But the coolest thing isto take natural stone banding and use itto separate fields of concrete. Thefinished product can be awesome.”

Be a hard linerMcMahon swears by aggressiveadvertising through television, theInternet and high-end magazines. Howyou advertise and who you advertise toare paramount to creating a strongcustomer base, he emphasizes.

As part of the campaign that helpedto establish he and his wife’s fledglingbusiness years ago, they bought thedomain www.concretesafari.com —

“Concrete jungle was already taken,”he laments — and expounded on thesafari theme.

“We zebra-striped our trucks,” hesays, adding that they have sincetrademarked the look. This eye-catching design helped differentiatetheir company from the competitionin a quick glance and was sosuccessful that he now uses it as partof his consulting service package,


http://www.concretesafari.com


He’s devised his own stamping toolsfor personal use, is constantlydeveloping new techniques and finessingnew textures, and continues to reinvestin new equipment to stay on the cuttingedge of decorative concrete. As for hisworkforce, he says, “We’ve grownthrough an extensive training programand are continually putting out newcrews. We’re growing so much fasterthan the competition is getting started.”

And he plans to keep up this pace. “Ifyou train your workforce right, youshould never let them go. You have toestablish yourself as a corporation andprovide things like 401(k)s and healthplans to create a company environmentthat your employees can be proud of andcall their own. Otherwise, you are justtraining your competition.”

If McMahon has his way, both hisemployees and his customers will heedhis advice: “It’s a jungle out there. Staywith the herd.”




An Introduction toEpoxy-aggregate

Systemsby Susan Brimo-Cox



Epoxy-aggregate. A simple descriptive phrase for acategory of decorative toppings that is anything butsimple. As floor systems go, they offer a variety of

aesthetically appealing and durable surfaces that are hard tobeat. If you’ve not worked with these products before, thismini-tour may pique your interest.

Generally, epoxy-aggregate systems fall into two broadcategories: porous and nonporous — also called “open” and“closed” systems. The porous systems use epoxy-pebblemortar. The nonporous systems include terrazzo systems,troweled epoxy mortars and broadcast epoxy systems.

As with any decorative topping installation, substratepreparation is the most important step. The substrate shouldbe thoroughly prepared according to specific system directionsprovided by the manufacturer. Also, expansion jointsmust be honored and active cracks repaired.

Epoxy-pebble systemsContractors agree porous epoxy-pebble systems are the leastcomplicated and have many benefits, including hidingpuddles and hiding imperfections in the substrate. Thevariety of pebble sizes and colors available makes thesesystems aesthetically pleasing, and it is fairly easy toincorporate borders and designs.

Epoxy-pebble systems are most often used for outdoorapplications, such as driveways, pool decks, patios andwalkways, but are good for indoors, too. Smaller pebble sizesof 1⁄8 to 1⁄4-inch are easier on bare feet. Larger pebble sizesincrease the porosity and texture of the surface.

Typically, the epoxy is mixed in a mixer, and then thepebble aggregate is added and mixed until it is well coated

and evenly distributed. The mortar is then transferred to thesubstrate. David McKinnon, vice president of sales forSeamco Labs Inc. in Tampa, Fla., explains the importance oftroweling right away: “The excess epoxy runs through therock into the concrete slab. If you [leave the aggregate in apile], the epoxy drains through at the pile” and you won’thave good adhesion elsewhere when the material iseventually spread.

McKinnon says you can trowel these systems as thin as 1⁄4-inch to as thick as two to three inches to level a surface, but“the rule of thumb is to install the topping three stones thickto get the proper hiding power and run through on the slab.”

Paul Koury, president of Life Deck Specialty Coatings inSan Diego, reports these systems have “quick turn-around —with very little downtime.” To aid troweling, he recommendsinstallers continually wipe their trowel with a solvent toavoid buildup.

The No. 1 negative of these systems is the ambering anddegradation of the epoxy in ultraviolet light. Regularmaintenance is a must!

Boyan Radovanovic, president of Aggregate ProtectiveCoatings Inc. in Torrance, Calif., explains, “If you don’t

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maintain it, you’ll have problems. The pebbles delaminateand completely fail from one another.”

How often you reseal depends on the amount of UVexposure, but typically the decorative system should berecoated every 12 to 15 months if it’s in the sun, lessfrequently if it’s in the shade or indoors.

Terrazzo systems“Epoxy-terrazzo is the most popular hard-surface flooringtoday … in commercial settings. It has the lowest life-cyclecost of any hard surface material,” exclaims Robert Cain,president of Key Resin Co. inCincinnati. You see itfrequently in airports, arenas,sports complexes, trainstations, universities, schoolsand hospitals.

Lifetime floors, you mightcall them. “They areexpensive, but extremely longlasting,” Radovanovic says.The expense comes in because“they are labor intensive andrequire significant downtimein an area.”

The aggregate mostfrequently used in terrazzo





systems is marble, reportsTom Murphy, vice presidentof marketing for Sherwin-Williams Co.’s GeneralPolymers in Cincinnati.Because the surface of the

mortar is always ground to expose the inside of the aggregate,the size of the aggregate is important in achieving certainsurface appearances.

The installation process is lengthy. After preparing thesubstrate and applying a primer, zinc, aluminum or brass stripsare placed in the desired pattern. What you have is kind of apaint-by-numbers grid. “You mix [and apply] one color at atime in panels that are not touching. You don’t want colorbleed-over from panel to panel,” Murphy explains.

The rough grind is next, exposing the marble and thestrips. Air pockets opened in this process are grouted with thesame color epoxy used in the mortar mix. Then the surface ispolished to take off the excess grout and smooth out otherinconsistencies. Murphy points out, “The art in terrazzoinstallation is in the grinding — that’s what people see.”

Finally, a penetrating sealer closes up the stones and bringsout the color.

Basic maintenance is to remove dirt with a dry mop.Terrazzo naturally develops a dull patina, but where a shinylook is desirable, regular application of an acrylic sealer andbuffing may be required.

Troweled epoxy mortarsThese seamless systems work well in lobbies, hallways,kitchen areas, showrooms and similar environments. Thereare two basic variations: clear resin with colored aggregate orpigmented epoxy with aggregate.

To install, the prepared substrate is primed and the mortartroweled to the desired thickness — usually 3⁄16 to 1⁄4 of aninch. Troweling can be done by hand or by machine. Handtroweling can be tricky and heavy power trowels need a driermortar to support their weight (and can leave swirl andchatter marks), so a lightweight power trowel might beconsidered. The surface gets a light sanding to take offimperfections, but not enough to take the color off theaggregate. Leveling is done by trowel, not grinding, in these





systems. An epoxy grout coat fills anyvoids and a topcoat — frequently aurethane — is applied as a sealer.

Howard Sinclair, vice president ofsales at Rez Solutions L.L.C. inLakewood, N.J., says these systems canbe “functional or decorative” and areusually low maintenance. “Thestandard recommendation is to sweepdaily and mop with a mild detergent.No resealing is required, except inextreme wear conditions.”

Broadcast systemsThe use of these seamless systems isfrequent in industrial and commercialapplications, such as research labs,locker rooms and restrooms, but isgrowing in residential applications,particularly garages.

To install, the prepared substrate isprimed and a base coat of epoxy is rolledon. While the epoxy is wet, the aggregate— typically fine quartz — is broadcast tofull saturation and allowed to bond overnight. Excess aggregate is then cleanedaway, and another coat of epoxy andaggregate is applied. Sinclair explains,“Each broadcast gives you about 1⁄16 of aninch. You reapply multiple times to buildup to the desired thickness.”

Gwynn Stegen, chief operationsofficer for Excellent Coatings Inc. inVista, Calif., cautions that broadcastsystems “will telegraph imperfections inthe substrate. The system you put on isonly as good as the substrate you put iton.” But she says these systems are avery creative medium to use. “You cando borders, logos, checkerboard patternsand [you can use] different colors, resinsand aggregate. You have the flexibilityto let your imagination go wild; limitedonly by budget.”

The last step is the sealer. Grout withepoxy to flatten the surface or use adifferent topcoat, such as urethane, tohelp maintain the surface profile, advisesMurphy. Decide on the skid-resistancedesired and have your customer agree tothis before the project starts. Do sampleboards with different topcoats.

Cleaning is a simple affair, onlycomplicated by the amount of texture.



Of the systems which areused mostly on interiors,terrazzo is the most expensiveup front, which can causesticker shock. Murphyrecommends having a basicprice for simple floors andpricing out logos and detailedpatterns separately.

Troweled epoxy mortarsystems fall in line next,followed by broadcast systems,which are comparable in cost toother decorative finishes such asstamped toppings, according toStegen.

While there is growing demand forepoxy-aggregate systems, there is alearning curve. If you’re interested, talkto experienced contractors. Mostsystem manufacturers offer training,too. And start with small jobs. Cainobserves, “These things are in highdemand, but it takes a specialtycontractor to do a good job.”



Resealing is generally not needed unlessthere is heavy traffic.

How do they stack up?Installation prices vary around thecountry, but McKinnon estimates thatepoxy-pebble systems can run from$3.50 to $14 a square foot. Kourystrongly advises that contractors basetheir warranty on reliable maintenanceto avoid problems caused by sunlight.

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ions Broadcast systems are often used for

restrooms and labs because they aredurable,easy to clean,seamless andrequire no wax.



DiamondsAre a Guy’s Best Friend… when they’re in a saw bladeby Christina Camara

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Cutting lines, grooves andcontrol joints with diamondblades is nothing new for

concrete contractors, but enterprisingcraftsmen have been putting theircreativity to the test by using the bladesto produce decorative borders, graphicdesigns or V-shaped grooves that looklike they were hand-tooled.

Tom Ralston, a third-generationconcrete contractor from Santa Cruz,Calif., most often makes decorative sawcuts on interior floors in grid patterns(two-by-two-foot squares or three-by-three-foot diagonals) but says diamondblades can be used to cut any variety ofdesigns.

“You can slice and dice a floor up likea boarding house pie,” he says.

Diamond blades can be used to cutboth green and cured concrete, using avariety of right-angle grinders, hand-held circular saws, Dremel tools or walk-behind saws. A variety of blades areavailable in the market, each serving itsown purpose.

Ralston uses Norton/Clipper Corp.’sSlab Crab, a new saw with wide rubberwheels that allows him to cut perfectlystraight lines; a Soff-Cut saw forstructural cuts in green concrete; a four-inch grinder to make circular patterns;and a Dremel tool.

He likes to get out on the slab daysafter it’s poured, lay out the design on hishands and knees, snap the lines usingorange chalk — which doesn’t stain theconcrete — and make his cuts, often byhand. The saw cuts can act as smalldams, making it easy to use different acidstains in the design without the colorsbleeding into one another. For example,he created a unique design on aresidential entryway using Italian marblein one section, black acid stain inanother, antique amber with bits of realcopper in another, and deep score jointsfilled with copper epoxy.

Blade basicsA diamond blade is a circular steel discwith a diamond rim, which can besegmented, continuous or serrated. Therims are made up of a mixture of






diamonds and metal powders that holdthe diamonds in place.

As the blade hits the concrete, thisbond wears away, exposing the diamondcrystals that grind the material into afine powder, says Thom Fisher,advertising and trade show manager forDiamond Products, Elyria, Ohio.

One general rule of thumb is to use asoft bond to cut cured concrete and ahard bond to cut green concrete. A softbond will expose the diamonds quicklyto cut harder materials, while theharder bond will wear away more slowlyto cut softer materials. Fisher’s companyprovides contractors with a map thatshows how aggregate differs in hardnessin various areas of the country — animportant consideration in choosing ablade. And if a contractor has troublewith a blade, Diamond Products canprovide a custom bond within 48 hours.

Making sure the blade matches thesaw is another consideration. “Thequality of the blade needs to match upwith the horsepower of the saw,” hesays. “If you’re using a small saw for a

concrete because decorative concretelines are shallow — typically only one-sixteenth to one eighth-inch deep. “Youcan have your cake and eat it too,” hesays. “Not everyone knows that.”

Even though a segmented blade willcut faster, decorative concretecontractors are looking for a smooth,

small job, you don’t need a top-qualityblade that’s loaded with diamonds andcosts a fortune.”

However, Fisher says contractors willregret choosing blades merely on price,because the industry is loaded withcheap imports — at the World ofConcrete show last year, he says, 60 of65 diamond blade companies were fromoverseas. “The old axiom, ‘You get whatyou pay for,’ really applies here,” he says.

Ted Skaff, market specialist for PearlAbrasive of Commerce, Calif., saysdistributors should ask contractors twomain questions: “What saw are youusing, and what exactly are youcutting?” He’s found that morecontractors are scoring lines, swirls,circles or other decorative elements ingreen concrete.

General purpose blades are usuallyused on cured concrete because usingthem on green concrete can causeexcessive blade wear and undercutting,but Skaff says contractors are havinggood luck using a general purpose,narrow-slot turbo rim blade to cut green

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crisp edge. “A segmented blade tends tochop, as opposed to cutting or grinding.They leave a rougher edge,” Skaff says.“That’s why we recommend turbo blades,and to break that down even further, anarrow-slot turbo blade is cleaner still.The closer the slots are together thecleaner the cut is going to be.”

Soff-Cut International Inc., theindustry leader in manufacturing greenconcrete saws, is offering blades that“chase” existing cuts, carve V-shapedgrooves or create rounded edges thatproduce a hand-tooled effect, says Soff-Cutt’s Brenda Nabarette.

Soff-Cut offers an “ultra early entry”dry-cutting system that controlsrandom cracks because control jointscan be cut within an hour or two afterthe finishing process. This relievesinternal stresses in the concrete beforeit dries out and cracks on its own. Theprofile blades are used after the initialcut to create a decorative look, savingcontractors time and money over doingit by hand, Nabarette says.

Rudy Tena, owner of TennacoConcrete in Eugene, Ore., specializes inlarge slabs and swears by Soff-Cut as amagic bullet against cracking. “Thesurface tension isn’t there yet becausethere’s still enough water inside the slab,as opposed to if you wait until the nextday and try to wet cut it with a watersaw, most of your surface tension hascracked.” He’s cut a floor in a 20,000-square-foot building without a crack. Acommon problem with green cutting isspalling, but Soff-Cut’s skidplateprevents that. Tena advises contractorsnew to green cutting to be careful whenmaking cross cuts. When you’re makinga T in the slab, those little corners canbreak off easily, so make sure to useplastic joint protectors and slow the sawdown one or two speeds, he says.

Other early-entry saws include N-E-D Corp.’s Robo-Kut saw, with anadjustable speed blade that reacts to theload on the motor. Torque control keepsa constant load on the blade, even whilerunning through a hard spot.

Besides the walk-behind saws,contractors are using hand-held Skil


straight line. He also suggests thatcontractors use an eighth-inch rounddiamond bit on a Dremel tool to getclose to a wall without damaging it.And of course, always use a sharp blade.

“Figure extra blades into your bid soyou can always have an easy, fast andstraight cut,” he said. “If you allow yourblade to get dull, it can wobble on youand you’ll get a real crooked line.”


Saws, grinders or Dremel tools withdiamond bits for fine control. StarDiamond Tools offers a convex bladeused with an angle grinder that can cutcircles. Their diamond engraving pinscan create scored lines and reach tightcorners.

Ralston, who often cuts with a hand-held saw, advises contractors to use aguide if they’re not sure they can cut a


Shave Away’s Dust Muzzle, whichretrofits more than 1,200 grinders andsanders, can remove up to 99 percent ofpollutants at the point of origin whenconnected to a high-quality industrialvacuum. The Dust Muzzle —transparent, lightweight and flexible —is typically used for flat grinding orcrack chasing, Buser says, and the SawMuzzle, used with hand-held circularsaws, is often used to control dust whencontractors are scoring lines indecorative concrete work. Thecompany also offers a Saw Muzzle forgas-powered saws.

A learning processCreative contractors like Ralston findthat they can always learn somethingnew by experimenting, even if theresults aren’t what they expected. Whatwas merely a fix for a mistake on onejob can be an effective technique to useon the next project.

“If necessity is the mother ofinvention, then desperation is thefather,” he says.

Ralston has a passion for his workand is always looking to imp rove hiscraft. “‘Forge forward, don’t look backand keep you thoughts fertile,’ that’s oursaying here.”

The right blade, and the rightcraftsman behind it, can certainlycreate some stunning decorative effects.


Dealing with dustDust collection products were onceconsidered luxury items, but areincreasingly being mandated by theEPA, OSHA and unions to protectworkers from the health hazards ofbreathing fine silica dust into their lungs.

John Buser, owner of San Diego-based Shave Away, Europe, says theprimary reason to use dust controlproducts is to protect workers’ health.

But there are other reasons: Dust canalso shorten the life of power tools,prevent contractors from seeing whatthey’re doing, and make a mess thatproperty owners and sub-contractorshate. “I can tell you that every day ahigh percentage of our orders areexpedited because our customers havebeen run off the job, or OSHA or EPAhas come down and says you have tocontrol the dust.”


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As contractors gain experience inusing the tools and methods that willachieve the look they want, diamondblades will no doubt become evenmore common on decorative concretejob sites.



Cutting Pictures inConcrete with Diamonds

Colorado Hardscapes,Denver,Colo.www.coloradohardscapes.com

Red Rocks Amphitheatre Visitor CenterShown is integrally coloredconcrete with brass letters placedin the surface.Custom moldswere used to imprint aStegosaurus and two shell fossils.The concrete was then grounddown so the letters were levelwith the surface of the concrete.The grinding was performed witha retro-plate machine that grindsthe concrete to a polished finish.

Jeffrey DoniusPremier Veneers,

Romeo,Mich.

With the use ofEngrave-A-Crete’s

custom designedtemplates and engraving

tools, this project gavethe owners of this

renovated pub exactlythe look they werehoping to achieve.

A design from the frontof a jewelry case in the

owner’s family waspainstakingly re-created

and enclosed by acircular border. The longborder design was taken

from the Engrave-A-Crete catalog.


http://www.coloradohardscapes.com


Engrave-A-Crete,Sarasota,Fla.www.engrave-a-crete.com

Neal NickelNickel Concrete Staining,Austin,Texaswww.concretestaining.com

Straight lines were created usinga worm drive saw;arches weredone with a saw mounted on acompass-like device.The finelydetailed flowers,stems and leaveswere created with a diamondwheel mounted on a Dremel tool.

Diamonds in the Dining RoomShown is a sophisticated design on a concrete floor made bycutting a series of straight lines into the floor.Engrave-A-Crete owner Darryl Adamson made use of his company’sMongoose saw to create diamond shapes on the floor.



http://www.engrave-a-crete.com

http://www.concretestaining.com

Gerald TaylorImages In Concrete,El Dorado, Ark

In this living room the concrete was cleared of tack strips andglue and then thoroughly cleaned.The lines and flowingcurves were drawn freehand using green chalk. With an anglegrinder and 4" turbo blade,the lines were meticulouslycarved into the surface of the concrete prior to staining andsealing.The second photo,which depicts the hand of Godpointing to Adam,was taken from a fresco by Michelangelo.This project displays careful outlining of the hand and anexceptional use of stain for coloring and shadowing effects.


Congratulations go to Gerald Taylor for his excellence in designcreativity and meticulous use of diamond blades in these examples ofhis work. Gerald is our first place winner and the recipient ofdiamond blades from Diamond Products and Ned-Kut Corp.

Prize sponsors are:NED-KUT Corporation(800) 343-6086www.nedcorp.com

Diamond Products(800) 321-5336

www.diamond products.com


http://www.nedcorp.com

http://www.diamond

Please take the opportunity to visit www.concretedecor.net,where you can see additional photos and read more aboutthese beautifully crafted projects.

Special thanks to Diamond Products (800) 321-5336 and TECC (800) 527-0264.


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Architectural micro-toppings are as versatile as they are beautiful.

Defined by their thickness —or lack of it — they are generallybetween 1⁄32-inch and 1⁄8-inch thick. Theyare typically applied with a trowel orsqueegee but can also be broom finished.

By contrast, self-levelers generallyrequire at least 1⁄4-inch material and arepoured into place. Micro-toppings donot have the flow characteristics orsufficient mass of material to flow and soare not considered self-leveling.

This paper-thin concrete mixture iseasy to install and bonds to almost anyproperly prepared existing surface,including concrete, other overlays,wood, metal, plastic, terrazzo, ceramictile, marble and asphalt. They should notbe used over gypcrete, vinyl or rubber.

Micro-toppings can be used oninterior and exterior surfaces,residential and office walls and floors,lobbies, retail walls and floors, decks,patios, ceilings, countertops, showers,masonry, bleachers, food concession

Thin Is In:Micro-toppings OfferBeauty and Versatility

areas, waterparks, sidewalks anddriveways. “The more flexible the micro-topping is, the more versatile it is withregards to what substrates it can be usedon top of,” says Lee Tizard of FloricPolytech in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

Ron Borum of Miracote in RanchoDominguez, Calif., stresses that thesevarious substrates do need to be in goodcondition before a micro-topping isapplied. “Micro-toppings are notnecessarily a solution to resurfacedistressed concrete,” says Borum.

Gary Anderson of Tri-Co Floors inSan Diego, Calif., agrees. “Micro-toppings can do some flexing, but overtime they will crack,” says Anderson.“So you need to start with a stable floor.”

Cost-savingsAnderson estimates that micro-toppingscan save up to 25 percent comparedwith using other types of overlayments.Tizard agrees. “Without sealers, micro-toppings can start as low as 45 cents persquare foot of material,” he says. “Self-levelers start at $1.50 and go to $3.00per square foot.” Borum adds that waxand maintenance should be figured intothe final cost of the system.

Micro-toppings can be more cost-effective from a materials standpoint,but they’re not always more cost-effective from a labor standpoint, saysTizard. “That really depends on what theprofile of the job is and how good thecontractor is,” he says.

Design versatilityAs with other architectural concreteproducts, you’re limited only by yourimagination. “We do a lot of things withmicro-toppings that other people don’tdo,” says Anderson, who recentlyinstalled 23,000 square feet of micro-topping on the concession area floors atthe Las Vegas Convention Center.

“Micro-toppings offer infinite design,texture and color possibilities,” saysBorum. And sealer selection affordsmultipurpose uses, slip resistance,chemical resistance, easy maintenanceand cleaning, a variety of gloss levels,and protection.


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“When used in combination withrepair mortars, you can take any existingspace and resurface it to make it looklike a brand new canvas,” says Tizard.“You can incorporate thin-gaugestainless steel inlays into the micro-topping using Mylar stencils to createpatterns. You can overlay the micro-topping with metal and seal it withepoxy to give the effect of terrazzo strips.Sandblasting is often used to achieve thelook of a stencil. Micro-toppings can beused on top of self-levelers to enhancefeatures and details of self-levelers. You

product. “If you have a really cracked upslab, you can incorporate micro-toppingswith fracture-resistant membranes tocreate a monolithic slab without theeffects of cracking,” says Tizard.

Our experts generally agree thatcurling is not an issue with this product.As long as the products are wellformulated, curling is not a problem, saysBorum, who adds that “some micro-toppings are more ridged than othersand can be problematic if the substratemoves, expands, contracts or otherwisedeforms beyond the micro-topping’sability to withstand the stress.”

Surface prepProper surface preparation is criticalwhen working with any micro-topping.“Achieving a smooth surface

can achieve a more random look with aslop trowel application method.”

Flexible propertiesOne of the advantages of micro-toppingsover self-levelers has to do with water.“Because micro-toppings don’t requirethe amount of water that self-levelers do,there are fewer inherent shrinkage issuesand subsequently fewer problems withshrinkage cracks,” explains Tizard.

Most micro-toppings also have ahigher percentage of polymer solids thanself-levelers, which adds flexibility to the

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“It just gives you a better bite.Sometimes if you’ve got a contaminanton the floor, you may not even see it.But if you don’t properly prepare thefloor, those can be your problem areas.”

Tizard cautions that if the slab isseverely damaged, the repair canbecome cost-prohibitive. “Then you’rebetter off pouring a self-leveler,” he says.Know the extent of the repairs neededbefore bidding, advises Borum.


However, the substrate’s hiddenproblems can be the most troublesome— weak strength, presence of anunknown bond-inhibiting chemical,poor structural design, lack of ormisplaced joints an so on.”

Anderson stresses the importance ofproperly preparing your substrate.“Proper prep work is everything. Wealways shotblast the slab to remove allpossible contaminants,” says Anderson.

necessitates a mechanic with very goodskills,” says Bruce Newbrough, technicalservices manager at Ardex. Newbroughrecommends cleaning the surface withmechanical methods only. “Never useacid etching, solvents or adhesiveremovers,” he says.

“These systems are coatings and relyon the formation of an integral bond tothe substrate,” says Borum. “Surfaceprep must be directed to achieve this.

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“If blemishes and surface irregularitiesaren’t prefilled and prepatched, thenthey can telegraph through,” says Tizard,who recommends letting any patch drythoroughly before applying the micro-topping. Tizard warns against deep-filling a crack with micro-toppingmaterial because it prevents uniformhydration, needed to achieve uniformcolor. “Hydration has to take placeslowly up through the surface,” explainsTizard. “If the micro-topping is integrallypigmented, as it hydrates through thesurface you will get a much more intensecolor in that area where the micro-topping is thicker because as thehydration is drawn to the surface itdraws the pigment with it.”

“It also draws the polymer with it,”Tizard adds. “So when you acid stainthat area with the deep-fill micro-topping, that area with a higher concen-tration of polymer will stain less becausethere’s less free alkali. The area adjacentto the deep-fill will stain darker.”

Tizard recommends letting your patchand repair dry thoroughly dry before CIRCLE #25 ON READER SERVICE CARD





applying the micro-topping. Usenongypsum-based repair materialswhenever possible. Tizard recommendsapplying one coat of micro-topping,letting it dry thoroughly, and thenapplying a second coat of micro-topping. The first coat ensures uniformhydration of the second coat. “Byapplying two coats of micro-toppingyou can achieve more uniformhydration, more uniform color andmore uniform staining,” says Tizard.

Tizard warns against sanding amicro-topping too aggressively. “It isvery easy to sand right through it,” hesays. “So it’s important to build yourmicro-topping with a couple coats soyou don’t sand through it in one pass.”

Installation and set-upMicro-toppings can take anywhere fromone to 12 hours to set up. Many arewalkable within a few hours. Sun andshade variations, ambient temperature,surface and substrate temperatures,humidity, airflow and wind all affectapplication and performance.

Set-up also depends on the porosity ofyour concrete. Porous slabs can draw themoisture out of the micro-topping. “Thatcan make your material set really fast,”says Anderson. “If you’re going over thetop of a sealed floor you’ve got a lot moreopen time because there’s not moisturebeing drawn out of the micro-topping.”

“Micro-toppings are fairly user-friendlyproducts,” says Anderson, “but every job

is different. You can’t always follow themanufacturer’s instructions. Those arewritten for ideal conditions and you neverget ideal conditions on a job. So there aredifferent things that you have to tweak,but always within a safe tolerance.”

Borum offers these tips for a successfulinstallation: Understand the material’slimits and have a clear understanding ofwhat the end result needs to be. Use aproven product. Require and receivetraining. Specialize in severalapplications. Know your labor andexperience limits. Know the conditionsof your site. And most important, knowthe science of the substrate.

MaintenanceWith proper surface preparation andmaintenance, our experts agree that

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micro-toppings can last a lifetime.“Maintenance is everything,” sayAnderson. “Without propermaintenance, your finishes break downand then you’re walking on the product.”

She recommends a good quality, easy-to-maintain wax. “If you use goodquality products to maintain micro-toppings, they’ll hold up extremely welland be a fairly low-maintenance floor.”

“Higher mil, high-solid sealers requireless maintenance and give morelongevity than do thin-mil sulfinated orwater-based sealers,” adds Tizard.

“Several coats of a sacrificial wax thatcan be easily buffed out and thenstripped and reapplied as necessary willhelp to protect the appearance of thetopping over time,” says Newbrough.

In addition to performing regularcleaning and applying protective sealersand waxes, Borum emphasizes theimportance of repairing damaged areasas quickly as possible.





Fiber-reinforced Concreteby Gail Elber

as the concrete heats up during curing and thencools off). Once the concrete has hardened, theyhelp cracked sections hang together, but they don’tincrease the strength of the concrete once it hashardened. Synthetic fibers also help keep the mixhomogeneous by keeping the aggregate fromsettling out.

Synthetic fibers may be nylon, polypropylene, orglass; exotics such as carbon fiber are sometimesused as a substitute for steel. Like steel fibers,synthetics are added to the truckload duringmixing, but in lower quantities — about 0.1% byvolume, or 1.5 pounds per cubic yard. Syntheticfibers are also available as mats, which can behelpful when pouring overlays.

What fibers don’t do. Although steel fibers givesome impact resistance and stiffness to a slab,synthetic fibers don’t. Don’t expect fibers of eithertype to increase the space between control joints orto reduce freeze-thaw cracking. For the latterpurpose, use air-entraining agents, which makelittle bubbles in the concrete into which freezingwater can harmlessly expand instead of crackingthe concrete.

Steel fibers and decorativetechniquesUnless the project’s engineering requirements callfor steel fiber reinforcement, as in a parkingstructure or industrial floor, you will not oftenencounter steel fibers on a decorative concrete job.The manufacturers of steel fibers, such as Nyconand SI Concrete Systems, don’t officiallyrecommend stamping concrete that contains theirfibers, nor do they recommend exposed-aggregateor burlap-dragged finishes.

Nevertheless, according to Vance Pool,marketing director for SI Concrete Systems, whichmanufactures both steel and synthetic fibers, acontractor experienced with both stamping andsteel fibers can have good results. But if you’re newto either stamping or steel fibers, don’t try usingthem both on the same job.

“Steel fibers aren’t for heavy relief,” Poolexplains. A deep stamped impression will exposethe fibers. But a shallow stencil impression shouldbe fine. If you’re going to use acid stain, make surethat the steel fibers are completely buried; Poolrecommends using a laser screed for the purpose.

Builders have been using fibers to reinforceclay, plaster, mortar, and concrete sinceancient times. According to the fifth

chapter of Exodus, Pharaoh knew the value offiber reinforcement when he commanded the Jewsto find their own straw for making bricks. Later,the Romans used animal hair to strengthencementitious mortars that are still supporting theColiseum and other ancient structures.

Now that hair and straw have given way tosteel and polymers, fiber reinforcement can benefitconcrete projects under many conditions. If youwant to color or texture fiber-reinforced concrete,you’ll need to know a few tips for keeping yoursurface looking good.

Steel or synthetic?Steel and synthetic fibers impart differentproperties to concrete. Steel fibers (figure 1)impart resistance to bending under load anddamage from impacts. They look like straight orcrinkly wires a couple of inches long, made ofcarbon steel or, for corrosive environments,stainless steel. A steel fiber-reinforced slab can bethinner than an unreinforced slab. Architectsspecify steel fiber reinforcement for projects suchas factory floors that must withstand heavy trafficand impacts. Steel fibers are added to a truckload

of concrete duringmixing at 0.25% to1.5% by volume(between 33 and100 pounds percubic yard). Theyare rarely used indecorative concrete.

Synthetic fibers(figure 2), whichlook like hairs orbundles of hairs aninch or two long,help protect freshconcrete fromshrinkage cracking(caused by too-rapiddrying of thesurface) andthermal cracking(caused by stresses

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Control joints can be cut with a saw in thenormal way.

Bob Zellers, vice president of technology andengineering for Nycon Inc., says he wouldn’t usesteel fibers in decorative concrete. “If you do handfinishing, the fibers will be exposed to theatmosphere, and they will rust,” he says. Thefibers can be buried with the use of a laser screed,he says, but that’s not often used with decorativeconcrete.

Synthetic fibers and decorativetechniquesNot only will you find yourself decorating jobswhere synthetic fiber reinforcement has beenspecified, but you also may want to specify thistype of reinforcement yourself to reduce shrinkagecracking and plastic cracking. “I use it in justabout every job I do that’s stamped,” says HarlanBaldridge, a decorative concrete contractor inRoseburg, Oregon. He uses it in slabs and also inthin overlays to minimize cracking. “If thecustomer is paying for decorative concrete, all thereinforcement is warranted. It makes sense for thecontractor to protect his interest and do the bestquality job.” Adding only $8-$9 per cubic yard tothe cost of the job, synthetic fiber is a cheapinsurance policy against cracks.

Nylon vs. polypropylene. Both nylon andpolypropylene fibers are compatible withstamping and stenciling, and with integral colors,acid and acrylic stains, and shake-on colorhardeners. Nylon is a little more expensive, butthe fibers are less likely to emerge from the surfaceduring finishing because they absorb water andhave a higher specific gravity (in other words,they don’t float as much).

Adding to the choices to ponder, long andshort fibers are available, and single-strand andmultistrand (“fibrillated” [figure 3]) versions areavailable. Longer fibers afford more crackprotection, but shorter ones are less likely to findtheir way to the surface during finishing.

Zeller doesn’t recommend using fibrillatedpolypropylene in decorative concrete. “You canget a hairy surface,” he says. Monofilament nylonfibers are his first choice.

Placement and finishing tips. Tell the ready-mix supplier what you’re doing, and he or she willadd fibers to the truckload. No adjustment to thewater content is necessary. A quirk of syntheticfibers is that they will cause the concrete to haveless slump as measured by a slump test, but theconcrete won’t actually be stiffer to pour. “There

is a loss in slump, but it willtake hardly any more energyto move the concrete,” Poolsays. He emphasizes that noadditional water will benecessary; if you do find itnecessary to correct theslump, do it with superplasti-cizers.

Good finishing is essentialto keep from dragging thefibers to the surface. As withany concrete, don’t get on thesurface too early. Pool saysthat fiber-reinforced concretebleeds more uniformly thanother concrete, so just becauseyou don’t see puddles on thesurface doesn’t mean that theconcrete is ready to finish.Use magnesium tools, anddon’t overtrowel.

Baldridge finds that usingcolor hardener gives extrainsurance against theappearance of stray hairs. Anyhairs that do pop up will wearaway quickly with traffic, orthey can be burned off with apropane weed burner.

Control joints can be cutwith a saw. If raveled fibers appear at the edges ofthe cut, stop cutting and come back in half anhour.

If you plan to texture the surface with a broom,make sure you use a stiff-bristled broom, Zellersays. “Pull in one direction and one direction onlyover a given area,” Zellers says. “That way you arealigning the fibers.”

A useful additionSynthetic fibers are a good addition to almost anydecorative job, whether it’s a new slab, a formedwall, or an overlay. Baldridge says he has benefitedfrom taking vendors’ classes to become familiarwith fibers’ effect on slump and to develop theright touch for finishing concrete that containsfibers. Once you become confident about usingthem, they’ll add a margin of security againstcracks, which will help keep your work beautifuland your customers happy.

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All other photographscourtesy of Nycon



ConcreteMarketplaceis a paid listing of quality-related products.

If you would like more information about anyof these products, circle the appropriatenumber on the reader service card found

between pages 40 and 41 of this issue.



Sawtec® Crac-Vac SawThe Sawtec® Crac-Vac sawcan by dolly-mounted to cutartificial grout lines andscore cuts in stainedconcrete or overlay-finisheddecorative concrete floors.Cuts to 11⁄8" depth. Patentedvacuum housing andinternal impeller ensure thatoperation is virtuallydustless, reducing cleanuptime.Call 800-624-7832.




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Business VentureLooking for a new business or a way to increase your existing one — weare currently looking for Artisan and Contractor Licensees. Benefits include:● Advertising Support and Marketing● Recognized National Buying Power● Tradeshow Representation● Feature Articles● Lead Referrals● On-going Training and Tech Support● Respected Industry LeadersArtflor™ offers training in our decorative architectural concrete systems;floors, walls, tiles, and counter and table tops. From project conception tocompletion and every aspect in between.

(800) 773-9363 • (702) 604-7803 • www.artflor.net


http://www.miracote.com

Acid Stains (CONCRETE STAINS)Our line of unique colors include: Burgundy, Blue, Green,

Blue-Green, Lemon and Brick.

Triple-S Chemical Products, Inc.Call: 1 (800) 862-5958 • Web: www.concrete-stains.com

3464 Union Pacific Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90023

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• Shot Blast Equipment • Scarifying Equipment • Industrial Vacuum• Diamond Grinders • Diamond Cups • Carbide/Steel Cutters

Grand Rapids, Michigan • (616) 447-9076 • www.bwmanufacturing.com

BW MANUFACTURING, INC.MANUFACTURER OF SURFACE PREPARATION EQUIPMENT SINCE 1996

SB-6 Shot Blaster$4,564.08• Garage Floors• Basements• Under Shelving• Line Stripes• Trim Work• 200 to 400 SFH

A-101 Pulse Vac$1,820.00• Built in air pulsator

for continuous dust-free operation

• High-amp motor• Power:

120 volt 15 amp• 1: 1⁄2" x 20' hose

Goodstuff Products$ $ $ $

Solvents on the way “OUT.”Be on target and in compliance.One of a kind multisurface “water

base” urethane for concrete floors,countertops, and overlays.

Tough as solvents, no smell, easyto apply. Test data available

Toll-free: 1-866-583-7083www.goodstuffproducts.com

Hit the Bullseye


http://www.armconmoldsusa.com


NeoMix

The NeoMix system, from Cheng Design,makes it easy to create beautiful countertops.

The system includes admixtures, custom-developed pigments, water reducers, semi-preciousaggregates, sealer, wax, and finishing pads andtools. All you provide is the appropriate number ofbags of sacked concrete mix, which you can buylocally to save on shipping. No inventory orstocking materials to worry about.

Prepackaged kits (available in eight colors)yield 3 cubic feet of countertop (equivalent to16 square feet at 2 inches thick or 12 square feet at21⁄2 inches thick). Custom kits are also available to meet the specialneeds of your project. Forms and accessories, such as sinkmolds and faucet knockouts, make the process even simpler.They can be used over and over.

“We’re trying to make it really convenient and cost-effective so that contractors can play with the creative partsof inlaying and making the mold,” says Fu-Tung Cheng,author of the best-selling book “Concrete Countertops”(Taunton Press 2003) and founder of Cheng Design.

The profit margin on a completed countertop is consid-erable, Cheng says. And in addition, because of group ratesfrom manufacturers, members of Cheng’s ConcreteExchange receive up to 40 percent discount on the NeoMixsystem products and accessories. In some cases, prices onitems such as diamond pads, grinders and brand-namestainless steel sinks are below wholesale pricing.

Cheng says what normally would have taken four to fivehours to whip up now takes only about 50 minutes. “You getthe buckets ready, get the mixer ready, open up the sacks andthrow ‘em in.” And contractors are finding out thatbeing associated with the Cheng brand is a greatselling point.

For more information on the NeoMixSystem, visit www.chengdesign.com or call(510) 849-3272.

The Mongoose Concrete Engraver

The Mongoose 411, from Engrave-a-Crete, is acompact engraving saw with a powerful, high-rpm

motor. Designed specifically for decorative concrete, itwill enable you to easily cut beautiful patterns and designswith great accuracy, whether you’re making straight linesor circles.

Made from a solid block of 6061 aluminum, theMongoose has a spring-loaded head that allows forexcellent control. You press down to cut, and when youlet up, the blade pops out of the cut. The saw uses 4"diameter blades up to 3⁄8" wide, and cutting depth isadjustable with the turn of a screw.

To align the Mongoose for a cut, you simply place thefront and rear guide/pointers on the chalk line and cut.The guides flip up and out of the way to cut closer to walls.The rear pointer keeps the saw on track when reversecutting.

The vacuum port, which connects to most standardshop vacs, makes cutting virtually dustless.

With the addition of the optionalcenter pivot and connecting

tubes, you can cut perfectcircles and arcs. The

center pivot has cross hairguides with sighting holes to

help align it exactly overlayout lines.

For more information aboutthe Mongoose, visit

www.engrave-a-crete.com or call(800) 884-2114.

PRODUCT PROFILES

http://www.chengdesign.com


http://www.engrave-a-crete.com




The Porta Mix Hippo

The Hippo Mixer’s easy tilt feature allowscontractors to mix, transport and pour

materials with unparalleled ease. With a mixingcapacity of roughly 18 gallons (or 240 lbs), itshigh torque, 16-amp, two-speed motor makes ita natural for mixing self-leveling materials moreproductively while reducing operator fatigue.

The Hippo, manufactured by WagmanPolymer, will rewrite the “rules” for mixingthese types of flooring systems. Typically,manufacturers’ suggest an 800 (or higher) rpmmixer to “cut” the polymer to produce thedesired cross-linking. The Hippo’s drum shapeand helical mixing paddle with shear barscreate a vortex to provide sufficient lifting andshearing action unmatched when mixing thesebatch sizes. The larger-diameter paddleprovides increased periphery speed, eliminatingany possible flash curing of increased temper-atures created by higher rpms.

For specifications showing its uniquefeatures and benefits, call (888) 837-4808 orvisit www.wagmanpolymer.com.

Flex-C-Ment

To find out more aboutFlex-C-Ment, profiled

in our last issue, visitwww.flex-c-ment.com or call(828) 859-2460.


http://www.wagmanpolymer.com

http://www.flex-c-ment.com

http://www.concrete-texturing.com


Miracoteby John Strieder

You probably recognize thebrand name Miracote. But doyou know its naval pedigree?

The Miracote story began in the1930s, when Jack Crossfield developeda way to create coatings that combinenatural latex with hydrating cement.Charles Watt and Howard Patchacquired the rights to Crossfield’s patentand, in 1938, established CrossfieldProducts Corp.

The new company concentrated onselling its wares for ship decking. Itlaunched an extensive naval andmarine product line and adopted thebrand name “Dex-O-Tex,” derived from“Decks of latex.”

“The original applications includedprotecting and preserving some of themothballed military fleet,” saysCrossfield executive vice presidentRonald Borum. The coatings bondedwell with steel and weighed less thanone alternative, concrete. Just asimportantly, they resisted heat andflame. They would not burn even if theship was bombed.

Today, Miracote utilizes that sametechnology to protect residential andcommercial surfaces from moremundane threats like wear and weather.

The division, which bills its productsas “Concrete Renewal Systems forProtecting, Preserving and RestoringConcrete Surfaces,” is the fastest growingpart of Crossfield. Overall, the decorativemarket accounts for about a third ofCrossfield’s business, including sales ofconcrete, epoxy and terrazzo, says Borum,who is responsible for the Miracotedivision. “Decorative concrete andconcrete repair markets are our signaturemarkets today. We are putting strongeffort and growth behind Miracote.”

Miracote materials have been usedto duplicate the look of imported

Italian tile on a wood substrate in aColorado residence, waterproof aparking garage, resurface hard glazed tileat a shopping mall and refurbish thewalls of grain silos.

Competitors don’t offer the depthand breadth of Miracote’s productcatalog, Borum says. “We have such abroad line. We can take you fromconcept to completion in products andconcept to completion in warranty.That’s my challenge in marketing, is toget customers to understand they reallycan come to us for everything.”

The Cementitious Coating System— Miracote’s core product — is notpaint, but a protective coating. Arubber-like polymer liquid is mixed atapplication with a silica-free blend of

cement and aggregate. The curedproduct boasts exceptional adhesionand durability, meeting ADArequirements for slip retardance. Itcomes in 18 colors, plus white andnatural gray.

Miracote Micro-topping is a“composition flooring system” consistingof Miracote concrete protectivecoatings, integral colors, topping colorsand sealers. “It’s the best of its kind inthe market, in my opinion,” Borum says.

Miracote Mirastamp is an overlaysystem that looks like stamped concreteand works as a tough floor. Duringapplication, a primer is applied toprepared concrete, after which apigmented base coat is poured andstamped.



Membrane “A”, the flagshipwaterproofing product, is made from awater-based polymer. It’s fairly uniquein the industry, Borum says. It’s high-strength, easy to work with and formsgood bonds. It’s tough like urethane butenvironmentally safe too.

Miracote also supports its decorativeproducts with an extensive line ofconcrete repair mortars.

Today, Crossfield Products Corp. is aclosely held corporation based inRancho Dominguez, Calif. Thecompany operates manufacturingfacilities in California and New Jersey.The Watt family continues to be instru-mental in the management of thecompany, with Brad Watt serving aspresident and CEO.

The ship-deck specialists expandedinto the decorative markets in the late1960s, when a company called MiracoInc. brought Crossfield a plan to sellprotective concrete coatings. Crossfieldmanufactured them, and Miracomarketed them under the Miracotebrand name. When Miraco wasdissolved in the late 1980s, the brandname became Crossfield property.

Demand for Miracote products variesby region — for example, the northwestUnited States sees stronger demandfrom the concrete repair sector, whileDenver-area sales are mostly todecorative contractors. But nationally,demand is split into thirds, between thewaterproofing, decorative overlay, andconcrete repair and restoration markets.“Our goal is to make the two concretemarkets by far the largest part of thebusiness,” Borum says.

Miracote products are sold todistributors, who in turn market themto contractors. The growth of thatdistributor network is one of Crossfield’sgoals, Borum says.

Miracote also continues to introducenew products. Glazetop XT, a polyureaglazed topcoat that works with a coldprocess instead of heat, made its debutat this year’s World of Concreteconference. “That’s proving to be anextremely good product for us,” Borumsays.

Crossfield is still strong at sea. TheUnited States Navy accounts for threefifths of its marine sales market, withthe rest accounted for by commercialusers of offshore structures such asdrilling units. And Miracotewaterproofing products are used by tile-layers on everything from shower pansto exterior decks.

Miracote targets the high-enddecorative concrete market, Borum says.

The company manufactures all its sealersand each component of its systems.

What else sets Miracote apart? “I liketo say that we have very good qualitycontrol,” Borum replies. “We useadvanced and proven technologies inthe formation of liquid pastes and drypowders. We service well. Those arefairly standard answers. But we back thatup. Those are real.”




AlternativeFFIINNIISSHHEESS

• Staining concrete since 1993• References available• Acid stain floors, walls, counter tops, etc.• Decorative scoring (sawcuts)• Custom colors, color grouting• Clear coat sealers• Waxing, highspeed buffing

On the job training at your site

Wes Vollmer Concrete(210) 655-5940 Design

Specialist

www.alternativefinishes.com

Decorative Concrete Consulting and Training

Classifieds

With over 16 years of experience in:Stamping Concrete, Acid Staining, Stamped

Overlays, Self-Leveling Compounds, SprayedOverlays, Troweled Overlays, Concrete

Countertops, Sealers...

On-Site — Hands-On Training:I come to the job-site, so you can learn while

making a profit from the project. Every TrainingIncludes Six Months of Free Tech Support.

Decorative Concrete Presentations:I give Decorative Concrete Power PointPresentations for group meetings with

Architects, Designers and Builders

Tech Support:I can handle your day-to-day questions andproblems or just give advice on a specific

project. I will also help with problems that mayinclude litigation.

References Available

Call Jeff Potvin(813) 909-2242

www.ac-consultants.com

To place your advertisement in Concrete Decor call toll-free877-935-8906

or 541-341-3390 • FAX 541-341-6443Advertising Phone Hours

8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. (Pacific Time) Monday–FridayClosed Saturday/Sunday/Holidays

DeadlinesPlacement, corrections and cancellations must be made three weeks prior to

publication print date.(Please call for deadline information.)

Training Materials

Giving away Profit!

What’s NEW with• Imprinted Concrete• Concrete Stains• Self Leveling Overlayments• Texturetop™• Concrete Sealers• Specialty Tools Equipment• Application and Product Training

For more information call

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www.dcsystemssupport.com



FASTEST WAYS TO SUBSCRIBE!Go online to

www.concretedecor.netand fill out the on-line

subscription formor call

877-935-8906and we will take yourinformation over the

telephone.

At the newly designed www.concretedecor.net click on EVENTS &TRAINING and you’ll find more and more training opportunitiesaround the country and in your area. New Fall and Winterschedules are now being added to our Web site.

To have your class schedule listed online at concretedecor.net, call us toll free at 877-935-8906.

Decorative Concrete Supplies

The Decorative Concrete StoreColoring Agents Release AgentsStains & Sealers Stamps & Stencils

Concrete HardenerRepair and Overlay MaterialsFinishing Tools and Hardware

On-Site Training and ConsultationConcrete Countertops

Eco-Block Insulated Concrete Forms

3546 Eastern Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226Phone: (513) 533-9200 • Fax: (513) 533-3078

Toll Free: (866) 483-3330www.DecorativeConcreteStore.com

Architectural Concrete SuperintendentThe Gallegos Corporation is seeking an ArchitecturalConcrete Superintendent/Project Manager. Thisindividual will work primarily in the Vail and Aspen,CO region and will be responsible for planning,scheduling, and installing stamped and color concrete,exposed aggregate, and cementitious overlayments.This is a year-round position. Please fax resume andsalary requirements to 970-926-3727 Attn: HR Dept.or e-mail to [email protected]

Help Wanted




Product New

s


New walking edgers from MarshalltownMarshalltown has announced a new line of blue steel,two-way walking edgers. The new two-way mountingallows for a 180-degree swivel and is currently availableon 27 QLT blue steel walking edgers.

The new two-way edgers feature a blade made fromheavy-gauge blue spring steel that is designed to preventgouging. They range in size from a 9-inch by 4-inch to a9-inch by 14-inch and offer a range in radius from 1⁄8inch to 3⁄4 inch.

The major benefit is excellent control when edginglarge areas of concrete, while helping to eliminatebending. To facilitate this advantage, each edgerincludes a two-way handle attachment that matcheswith either a Marshalltown #9 or #10 handle (soldseparately).

For more information, visit www.marshalltown.com.

Sikacrete repairs spalls and overlaysSikacrete 211, new from Sika, is a pre-extendedflowable repair material that may be pumped or pouredonto horizontal surfaces and into form work for verticaland overhead surfaces. This material, manufacturedwith coarse aggregate, may be used for depth repairsfrom 1" to 6". The material works well for balconies;decks; beams and other structural or non-structuralelements of parking garages, bridges and watertreatment facilities.

Flashlight has beauty and brainsA new series of LED flashlights from Lightwave — theTec Series — provides 700 hours of light from a fresh setof batteries, as compared to an average of 10 hours for aconventional flashlight. The Tec3000 uses seven super-bright light emitting diodes (LEDs), and the Tec2000uses four. The LEDs are shockproof and reliable — you

won’t ever have to change abroken bulb — and last forthousands of hours. Theflashlight’s industrial gradeswitch is rated for aminimum of 10,000operations. Operating costis about .01 cent per hour, ascompared to about 98 cents

per hour for conventional flashlights. The flashlight willpay for itself with only 60 hours of use. For moreinformation, call (858) 270-6016 or visitwww.lightwave-usa.com.

Trowel line just right for decorative workMarshalltown has released six new Pointed Trowels tobe marketed in its QLT product line. All of the newtrowels offer comfort and control with a blue, soft-grip“half-moon” handle (mounted at bothends) that also features finger-guardprotection against calluses,heat and cold.

These trowelsoffer manyadvantages for decorative concrete work. The extendedpoint permits finishing in tight corners while the long-reach blade allows for troweling under overhangs.Blades, which are made from high-carbon temperedsteel, range from 14 inches to 26 inches in length. Formore information, visit www.marshalltown.com.

Waterproofing coating requires noprimerBarricoat, a new waterproofing coating from CarlisleCoatings & Waterproofing Inc. (CCW), can be used ina variety of applicationsincluding decks,foundations andretaining walls. Barricoatis a water-based, asphaltemulsion modified with ablend of syntheticrubbers and specialadditives. When sprayedon, it forms a monolithic,highly flexible membranethat cures fast.

Designed as a waterproofing and vapor-retardantmembrane, it can be applied to concrete, CMU, woodand/or metal. Its excellent elongation and recoveryqualities along with its solid tensile strength andexceptional bonding make it a product that performsexceptionally well over concrete. The Barricoat systemenables concrete contractors to create a seamless, fast-curing membrane without the use of primers.

Barricoat is available in two different systems,Barricoat-S and Barricoat-R. Depending on the needsof the project, Barricoat-S offers a single-coat sprayapplication while Barricoat-R offers a double-reinforcedroller applied system. For more information, call (800)527-7092 or visit www.ccwcompanies.com.


http://www.marshalltown.com

http://www.lightwave-usa.com

http://www.marshalltown.com

http://www.ccwcompanies.com


Seal handles tough jobsSika Corp. has introduced SikaProof Seal, a cement-basedcoating designed for waterproofing concrete and masonry.When mixed with SikaLatex acrylic fortifier, this two-component kit is specifically formulated to bond to concreteand masonry by filling small pores and imperfections andcreating a watertight seal. It is available in two colors, whiteand gray, and is easy to mix and place. For more information,visit www.sika-corp.com.

Soff-Cut introduces the ProwlersSoff-Cut International has introduced a new line of early-entry concrete saws. The Prowler line is designed to beeconomical and durable, while providing the same quality ofperformance as the original Soff-Cut saws. The X-2000Prowler features a 9-hp engine and the X-4000 Prowler has

an 18-hp engine. Both saws are self-propelled by ahydrostatic transmission and come complete with a

built-in lifting system, patented safety arbor, safetyblade block enclosure and friction drive. Much like

the entire line of Soff-Cut saws, the Prowlers work inconjunction with Soff-Cut blades and patented

skid plate technology to allow forUltra Early Entry concrete

cutting, which minimizeschipping and spallingwhile virtuallyeliminating randomcracking. For more

information, call 800-776-3328 or visitwww.softcut.com.

Stone-Weld createsstrong bondVIC International Corp. has introduced into the stonefabrication market a line of unique, water-clear epoxyadhesives under the name Stone-Weld. The penetratingproduct is unique in that due to its water-thin consistency, itwill flow into tiny fissures in the stone, creating a strong bondto help prevent breakage during processing. The adhesivesare available in three different consistencies — flowing, geltype and penetrating — and all exhibit the same absolutelyclear appearance upon curing. The set-up time is fast, yet ofenough duration to assure a strong bond. Many coloringpigments are also available, which bond with the epoxy itselfto not only add color but actually increase bond strength. A

slight pink tint in thePart A componentassures easy, error-freemeasuring. For moreinformation about these


new products, call 800-423-1634 x 4701 or visitwww.vicintl.com.

Seam clamp holds ittogetherVIC International has designed aseam clamp that incorporates allthe features needed by installersas well as fabrication shops. Itfeatures not only a very positivepull-together feature, but alsoslab levelers to assure perfectalignment. It also has a rubber“bumper” that can be used to hold backsplashes in place. The4" vacuum cups supply enough holding power to pulltogether 2- and 3-cm pieces. The clamps are availableindividually or in sets of two in a foam rubber-lined durableplastic carrying case. The vacuum cups have plastic covers toassure long, trouble-free use. For more information, call 800-423-1634 x 4701 or visit www.vicintl.com.

Two new trowels fromMultiquipMultiquip has introduced twonew trowels, including the firstdiesel-powered HHN Seriesmechanical trowel, a 34-hp workhorse with avariable-speed clutch andinnovative gearbox design. Theturbocharged, liquid-cooled trowel utilizes twohelical gearboxes that operate at 98 percent efficiency andvirtually eliminate gearbox overheating. The trowel featuresfive blades, finishes a path 91 inches wide, and has a fuel tankcapacity of 4.4 gallons. The variable speed clutch suppliesmaximum torque and speed under any conditions and the




http://www.sika-corp.com

http://www.softcut.com


trowel comes standard with a twin-nozzle retardant spraysystem. Other standard features include twin pitch control,

which allows the operator tosimultaneously change thepitch of both rotors, and

four powerful halogen lights foroptimal performance in low-light areas.

The brand new CA-Series walk-behind trowel gives operators the ability to

finish in tight spaces, through doorways, againstwalls or to work around difficult obstructionswithout leaving a trace. The compact CA-4-4H boasts a space-efficient 24-inch diameter for

excellent maneuverability and its rotating guard ringglides against walls without marring. The 4-blade trowel ispowered by a 4-HP Honda gasoline engine and weighs only 125pounds. The trowel features a folding handle for easy storageand transportation. Its heavy-duty gearbox delivers the highspeeds needed for smooth finishing and the required torque forfloating in a wide range of residential and commercialapplications.

For more information, visit www.multiquip.com.

Polymer short course on CDDTW Associates Inc. has released its first short course onCD, titled “Polymer Alloys and Blends.” The CD presents acomprehensive review of the state-of-art knowledge intheories, principles and practices related to polymer alloysand blends. Its primary emphasis is on the application offundamentals to real-world problems.

The principal instructor is Prof. Donald R. Paul, who hasled one of the world’s major research programs on polymerblends and taught chemical engineering and polymer scienceand engineering for over 34 years at the University of Texas.The CD, which has more than 10 hours of lectures and 310slides, is not a video recording of a live presentation. To learnmore about this CD and to download a short demo, visithttp://dtwassociates.com/?paabcd_about_desc_att_outl.

Non-slip,textured coating new from Seal-Krete

Seal-Krete Floor-Tex is awaterborne, acrylic, texturedcoating that can be applied toconcrete, wood, plywood andprimed metal. It is designed toprovide a non-slip, decorativefinish to sidewalks, porches,patios, stairs, ramps, pool decksand more. Neutral in color, Floor-Tex can be mixed with any latex

floor paint or porch/floor enamel to achieve desired color.Floor-Tex is self-priming, easy-to-apply and provides long-lasting resistance to UV, moisture, salt and chlorine. It

outwears paint, stain, and other conventional anti-skidcoatings. For more information, visit www.seal-krete.com.

Crack chaser moves right alongThe Saw-Tec CC-100 crack chaser, available in gas or electricmodels, is a high productivity, walk-behind crack-chasing sawthat cuts concreteor asphalt to a 1-inch depth. Theunit cuts 6 to 8 feetof crack per minute,or up to 3,000 linearfeet in a day,depending on thematerial to be cut.The highlymaneuverable sawfeatures a swivel caster and a retractable control handle, anduses small 5 inch- or 6 inch-diameter dry diamond blades in.25", .375", or .5" widths. The smaller blade allows a tighterturning radius, making it easier to follow random cracks.

Applications include crack repair or expansion jointcleanout in parking garages, parking lots, airport runways,bridge decks, swimming pools and other concrete surfaces. Formore information, call (800) 624-7832 or visitwww.surfacepreparation.com.

Grinder-Vac features new dust shroudThe Sawtec Grinder-Vac concrete grinder features a new,one-piece molded dust shroud that allows for hundreds ofhours of use. The shroud,available in convertiblemodels for edging,combines two differenthardnesses of polyurethanefor increased performance.The softer material used inthe shroud allows forgreater flexibility to huguneven surfaces, while thestiffer material used in thevacuum port providessupport for proper hoseconnection. The Grinder-Vac offers virtually dust-free operation for concretecleaning, planing andremoval of mastics, epoxies, urethane, paint and othercoatings. It controls dust in the work area to allow othertrades to work simultaneously and significantly reducecleanup time. For more information, call (800) 624-7832 oremail [email protected].

http://www.multiquip.com

http://dtwassociates.com/?paabcd_about_desc_att_outl


http://www.seal-krete.com

http://www.surfacepreparation.com


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making the cut: diamond blades

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