Decorative Concrete Design Tips & How-Tos - Page 13 of 25

Tips & How-Tos

Industry veterans, entrepreneurs and decorative concrete artisans reveal findings, divulge lessons learned and outline methods used to help advance the industry as a whole.

Metallic Coating Application Tips from the Professionals

Concrete Coatings Tips & How-Tos Vol. 12 No. 5 - July 2012 by Concrete Decor Staff Comments are Disabled

Metallic coatings can be tricky and that is why we gathered some tips and tricks from some professionals who have more than dabbled in their fair share of metallics.

Most Common Problems with Tape on Concrete and Their Solutuions

Tips & How-Tos Concrete Sealers Staining & Coloring Concrete Vol. 12 No. 6 - August/September 2012 by Chris Sullivan Comments are Disabled

It is widely known that the decorative concrete industry has struggled with tape issues for decades. These range from the tape tearing when overlays are being applied, or stain bleeding under the tape, to adhesive effectiveness when the tape gets wet.

Placing Quality Stamped Concrete in Six Steps

Stamping & Texturing Concrete Tips & How-Tos Concrete Placing Vol. 12 No. 7 - October 2012 by Doug Carlton Comments are Disabled

I have identified six steps that all successful hunks of stamped concrete have in common. Bypassing one of the six steps will leave a stamping professional a rung short of a true level of potential. Perfection starts well before any color broadcasts across a wet concrete’s surface, and even well before a ready-mix truck arrives.

Tips for Polishing Preexisting Concrete Floors Profitably

Tips & How-Tos Concrete Polishing Business & Technology Vol. 12 No. 8 - November/December 2012 by David Padgett Comments are Disabled

If I were a contractor I would take “preexisting” projects over new projects every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

How to Fabric Form a Concrete Sink

Tips & How-Tos Recipes Precast Concrete Vol. 12 No. 8 - November/December 2012 by Tommy Cook Comments are Disabled

Fiberglass has been used in the precast industry for many years. The use of resin-and-glass mats to make master-mold plugs, keeper molds to hold the shape of rubber molds, and good old-fashioned production molds is standard in the industry.

How to Compete With and Win Against DIY Garage Floor Kits

Concrete Coatings Tips & How-Tos Vol. 13 No. 1 - January/February 2013 by Nick Dancer Comments are Disabled

If you want to install garage floor coatings properly and create a profit, you must understand that not everyone is your customer. The price tag on the kit in the box store has already created a perceived value or cost to complete the job in many customers’ mind.

Step by Step Guide to Tree and Root Construction with Sculptable Epoxies

Tips & How-Tos Vertical & Carved Concrete Vol. 13 No. 5 - July 2013 by Mike Vernelson Comments are Disabled

In the world of theming, epoxy is still an underutilized tool for creating levels of detail and realism second to none. For example, Polygem Inc. has spent years developing its 307 series of epoxy among others that are custom-formulated for this exact type of work.

Three Tips for Superior Acid Stain Finishes on Concrete

Tips & How-Tos Staining & Coloring Concrete Vol. 13 No. 8 - November/December 2013 by Doug Carlton Comments are Disabled

The acid-stained pizzeria floor looked worse than horrible. Actually, it became the unintentional focal point of an otherwise attractive restaurant newly opened and ready for business.

A Guide to Removing Built-Up Residue from Polishing Concrete

Tips & How-Tos Concrete Polishing Vol. 14 No. 3 - April 2014 by Wendy Runyon-Ricker Comments are Disabled

Surface preparation is the crucial beginning stage of any concrete polishing process. It is especially important in old office buildings, warehouses or department stores where tile or carpeting once covered the flooring, leaving behind residue that must be removed before applying an overlay or polishing. Photo courtesy of Stoops Freightliner

Concrete Polishing Tips: Slow Grind Speeds, Cool Tools and Sweeping Compound Pitfalls

Tips & How-Tos Concrete Polishing Vol. 14 No. 3 - April 2014 by Bryon "Bru" Bruington Comments are Disabled

This is very similar to the story told in the old children’s tale, “The Tortoise and the Hare.” If you remember, the slow-footed tortoise won a race against the faster hare by keeping a slow, steady pace while his faster counterpart sprinted, tired and lost concentration.