Tack Strip Pop-Outs – Watch Them Disappear

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Ugh, tack strip pop-outs! Those pesky holes left in concrete when tack strip is removed can bring on a contractor’s profanity-laced headache and send a job south in a hurry.

This all too common problem is sometimes solved by filling the pop outs with a concrete repair mixture, usually with disastrous results.

Any repair mixture used will have a different texture and finish than the original concrete, meaning it will accept stain differently from the rest of the floor.  What were once holes become splotches of color that highlight the pop-out problem rather than solving it.

Chris Mirabal, Technical Adviser for Engrave-A-Crete, has perfected a method for repairing  pop-outs without the staining nightmare that occurs using other methods.

Chris says:

  1.  Clean out any loose concrete from around the pop-out.  Prep the entire floor surface as usual.
  2. Apply the stain to the entire area according to directions, including the pop outs.  Just ignore those holes for now!
  3. Apply the first coat of sealer and let it dry completely.
  4. Mix up some CR-530 Inside Epoxy.
  5. Pour the epoxy into the pop-out.  Be careful not to overfill or underfill.  The epoxy should be flush with the surface.
  6. Once the epoxy is dry, apply another coat of sealer to the entire floor.

The pop-outs are now filled with a clear epoxy that allows the stain color to show through and is flush with the surface.  Since no new concrete was added, the stain color/pattern is consistent throughout, including the pop-outs. The second coat of sealer provides an even finish to the floor.

Presto! The pop-outs have disappeared.

Thanks, Chris!

Ugly Concrete Makes Good Barracuda Bait

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KaleidoCrete Barracuda Engraving Tools at work

KaleidoCrete Systems‘ Barracuda doesn’t hang out in the ocean, but is right at home in the decorative concrete toolbox.

Weighing in at a handy six pounds and rated as a mid-sized concrete engraver, the Barracuda is adept at cutting designs with fine detail.

 

The specially designed head permits access to most small openings.

Decorative concrete engravers have been known to use the Barracuda for freehand cutting, but it shines the brightest when working with template patterns. Single templates teamed with the Barracuda are the topic of this short video.

Barracuda was involved in restoration projects at Alcatraz after being invited to “offer expertise on mechanical texturing of concrete” according to Chip Cheagle. The goal was to create patches of concrete during the restoration activity, then texture their surface to match the old concrete. Learn more about the days when we thought Chip Cheagle might be behind bars.

KaleidoCrete Barracuda bites the concrete to reveal the chosen design. This whole system of tools is useful when working with old, ugly concrete because the 2000 tiny bites per minute delivered by the Barracuda reveal the low maintenance beauty of existing concrete. The results are delightful floors and dramatic walls.

Barracuda has two handy accessories. The Barracuda Vacuum Attachment and the Barracuda Stand Up Conversion. Dust control is an important selling point for your engraving work — appealing to the customers, the neighbors and your lungs. The Stand Up Conversion accessory will draw appreciation from your back.

Barracuda joins Shark and Wasp in the KaleidoCrete System to offer these benefits…

  • economical – great for horizontal or vertical applications and multiple surfaces. Easy to learn and easy to use so you get the job done quickly.
  • green – uses the concrete that’s already there so there’s no ripping out and replacing existing concrete or covering with an expensive overlay.
  • efficient – quickly engraves designs with fine detail regardless of the weather.

Call 800-884-2114 today to learn more about Barracuda and what it has to offer decorative concrete.

 

Six LinkedIn Profile Tips To Get You More Attention

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Begin by setting up a free LinkedIn Account. Your profile is a traveling brochure for you — available to the public and the search engines, plus VERY available to people in the LinkedIn network who can use your decorative concrete services.

The headline on your new profile is important — it is that first impression. Make it say what and who you are in 120 characters including punctuation.

Example for Joe Contractor: Decorative Concrete | Engraving | Staining | Polishing | Finding Existing Concrete’s Low Maintenance Beauty (this is only 93 characters)

Use the SUMMARY area to describe everything you can do with concrete. Don’t expect people to read your mind. You can add sections, then lift the things you do the VERY best out for the Specialties area.

Your experience is valuable — people can look at your work history as you list it, plus see the continuity of your experience through employers to being self-employed.

Connections and recommendations will come as soon as you have completed your account.

The website listing space is something that is often misinterpreted. Where LinkedIn has a default “Company Website,” they intend for you to put your company name. Doing so  helps reinforce your name with one more mention instead of a default faceless link. If you have a Twitter account, you can list it here to extend your marketing efforts.

A great deal more can be done with LinkedIn, but it all takes time and planning. For the beginning, simply use LinkedIn as another Internet Billboard and let it work for you 24/7.

If you have questions about LinkedIn profiles, just ask in the comments section below. Or, ask at our Facebook page “Engrave-A-Crete Decorative Concrete Engraving Tools and Supplies”

 

 

 

Shout Out to The Neighborhood | Google+ Paired with Google Local

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Your neighborhood is the geographical area that you can realistically work with. You might travel across the country for a decorative concrete job sometimes, but mostly you will want to work where you can go back home at the end of the day.

Setting up an account for your business (no charge) at http://local.google.com is one of your first steps to help people in your neighborhood find you. That account will get you on the Google maps with a description of your business and the contact information. As people use the computer or their smart phones more to retrieve directions or a phone number, being where they can easily find you is extremely useful. The guy they can find has a head start on getting the job. Plan to be that guy!

Google+ goes hand in hand with Google Local. I confess to being a beginner with Google+. I know for certain the profile is available, working for the account holder. There are many businesses who are working with their Google+ accounts to post images, updates and blog posts, just as we do with other social media sites. Aim for the target that you want — getting your profile out there in public.  The direct connection between Google+ and Local is still in development. However, savvy local businesses will be seeking connection with you and will covet a +1 rating from you. Some of them are potential customers who can give the +1 rating back to you.

Social media sites are connections for real people. They work best for your business when you put some networking effort into them. Getting your profiles built solidly is the place to start. Those profiles will work for you as much as they can with as much social fuel as you can give them. Turn them loose in your neighborhood.

If you have questions about your profiles with the Google options, please feel free to ask them at the comments area for this post. Or you can ask at our Engrave-A-Crete Facebook page. Engrave-A-Crete Decorative Concrete Engraving Tools & Supplies

 

 

Special Prices for February 2012 Decorative Concrete Training Seminar

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February 2012 Discovery and Training Seminar has new things to show the students and some intriguing specials.

After registering to attend at the regular $895.00 tuition, an attendee can add another person (buddy) for the Bring-A-Buddy special pricing.

Sign up your buddy by January 27th, 2012 and he pays only $295 for the full three days of hands-on training in the huge facility specially designed for learning decorative concrete engraving. After the 27th, the price changes according to the following schedule.

Sign up by February 3 and the additional attendee pays $395.00

Sign up by February 10 and the additional attendee pays $495.00

Sign up by February 17 and the additional attendee pays $595.00

The February 17th amount is an impressive discount for Seminar tuition. But, acting NOW can result in even greater saving. Plus signing up earlier can give you a better assurance of a spot because the session is limited to 21 seats.

The seminar includes hands-on use of the quality Engrave-A-Crete tools and Concrete Resurrection stains and sealers. There will be an installation session for the new Solar Lightpod System. Arrive a day early and watch Darrel preview the awesome Composite Stoneworks system and process at 2:00 pm on Tuesday. To learn more, check out the Engrave-A-Crete web site where you can view videos and photos from previous seminars.

Call 800-884-2114 today to get your seminar registration going. We look forward to seeing you.