Category Archives: Decorative Concrete Engraving Case Studies

What Happens When You Use the Wrong Sprayer For Sealing Concrete?

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Bulldog mascot engraved by The Concrete Angel

The Bulldog mascot at Hamilton Middle School, Hamilton, Alabama has been replicated eight times on concrete at various locations on the schools grounds.   Jason Thorn of The Concrete Angel, engraved and stained these bright logos.

Jason has exhibited the characteristic tenacity of a good blue bulldog with his decorative concrete business.  He told us this story because he wanted other engravers to learn from his experience.

Jason purchased a pump sprayer at a local home store to apply sealer to a pool deck project. The labeling said the sprayer was chemical resistant — a condition that doesn’t mean safe to use with solvent sealers.  Jason learned that lesson the hard way.

He filled and pumped the sprayer, preparing to apply the sealer — but the hose on the sprayer weakened by the solvents, ruptured and then sprayed sealer all over Jason, his crew, equipment and the pool deck.  His helper ran to get the sealer off his skin, but Jason thought first of the puddle of sealer needing to be rolled out before it began to dry.

Then he sought professional treatment for being covered by sealer.  Jason told me the pressure in the sprayer hit his abdomen very hard, similar to an atomizer injection or vaccination.  The solvent penetrated his skin and destroyed cellular tissue; resulting in excruciating pain for several weeks. Sunglasses protected his eyes, but were covered with sealer.

Jason’s message to engravers —

“Use the sprayer recommended by Engrave-A-Crete or check to be sure you have a sprayer suitable for use with solvents when you are applying sealer to your decorative concrete projects. Not using the proper equipment can cause serious problems.”

Jason was soon back at his decorative concrete projects.  He came to Mansfield in September 2011 to attend Discovery and Training Seminar.  Hanging on like one of those blue bulldogs, Jason has kept busy.  He’s planning a concrete counter-top project in Tennessee and working out the logistics of engraving ‘plank flooring’ in a large Georgia home.

Jason markets with a website, Facebook and ConcreteNetwork.com

The Concrete Angel
Jason Thorn
3015 CR 36
Winfield, AL 35594
Phone: 205-412-3885
Email: concreteangel.thorn10@gmail.com

 

Decorative Concrete Benefits From A Network of Friends

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Helpful Puppy & Decorative Concrete

Just a little help?

You can do just about everything you need to do for your decorative concrete engraving business from the back of your trailer or truck.  So it seems.

Engravers who have a network of people get ahead along a smoother and faster road.  Patrick Gibbs of Legacy Concrete Engraving is an example. He worked with his dad and one of dad’s friends to get the idea of a sleek, attractive cart that supports, hauls and displays heavy samples of his work.  The thought of a slab large enough to really show the beauties of concrete conjures up a backache!

Legacy Concrete Engraving

Patrick and his network fabricated a set of carts  They have tremendous possibilities for demonstrations — one-on-one or at a trade show.  The demo concrete can be moved easily and safely with the cart.  In the actual exhibit, the concrete is supported and displayed attractively.

The cart is a wonder — but the network is the big thing.  People shared interests and skills to accomplish something that made a good situation even better.

As a contractor, look around you at your network.  How can you contribute to one another, create joint ventures for expansion or design something new?  Once you get your network rolling, you will never want to be the Lone Engraver again.

Legacy Concrete Engraving
P.O. Box 66
Tyndall, Manitoba, Canada
204-960-8700
Email Contact

Incorporating Cracked Concrete Into Your Design | Flooring Consultants, Inc | Sherwood, AR

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Cracks in Concrete Become Beautiful Vines

Bob Nesbitt, owner of Flooring Consultants, Inc. in Sherwood, AR has a flourishing decorative concrete business.  Flooring Consultants has experience with new and old concrete, bringing out the best in all types.

Nesbitt takes on indoor and outdoor projects, providing quality work that brings more referrals back to the business.

The pool deck in the photo had issues and needed transformation to a work of art. The cracks were the first challenge.

Using the wisdom that has gone with decorative concrete engraving since its beginning, Nesbitt worked the cracks into the overall design.  Each crack in the concrete became a vine with pretty leaves gracing the pool area.  The design is subtle, appropriate and very pleasing to anyone visiting and using the pool.

Cracks and flaws that are often the first strike against old, plain, gray concrete can become part of an original work of art.  Along with vines or other freehand designs, cracks can be disguised in patterns featuring cobblestone, flagstone or Ashlar slate.

When you have a customer who is frustrated with the cracks in their concrete, remember Nesbitt’s artistry.   Build your reputation for creativity by establishing a crack-free zone in the customer’s concrete.  Even though you and the customer know “crack-disguised” is the real condition.

Nesbitt is eager to create more crack-free areas in Arkansas and neighboring states.

Bob Nesbitt
Flooring Consultants, Inc
Sherwood, Arkansas | North Little Rock, Arkansas
(501) 835-7892

Priceless Patio in Canada | Legacy Concrete Engraving

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Decorative concrete transforms patio with beautiful flagstone design

What is the cost of a small patio with engraved flagstones?

Patrick Gibbs of Legacy Concrete Engraving has developed a market of small jobs, including front steps, patios and walk-ways.

Small jobs are not the first thing engravers usually seek, but this market has been looking for Patrick.  What is the value of a small job?

One ugly patio — 8 ft x 12 ft.

Cost — A few hours with Legacy Concrete Engraving who brought Concrete Resurrection Black Walnut and Brownstone RAC stain,  plus Two coats of sealer.

Decorative Concrete Engraving - Flagstone pattern  

One stunning patio — 8 ft x 12 ft and One Happy Customer

Cost — Priceless.

This patio project was profitable for Legacy Concrete Engraving.  Add that to the series of step projects, planned counter tops and authority to engrave the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ logo for customers and you see a steadily growing market of small jobs.

Legacy Concrete Engraving
P.O. Box 66
Tyndall, Manitoba, Canada
204-960-8700
Email Contact

Nathan Deluze & Sandroid Create Decorative Concrete Aloha Floors in Hawaii

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Nathan Deluze engraved this lei maile floor

This graceful lei, representing a special part of Hawaiian culture, was designed by Nathan Deluze (N.D. Masonry, Inc.) for a very happy customer.  The lei is visible from a landing above that part of the floor.

Nathan stained the floor, using Concrete Resurrection RAC stain, then used the Sandroid to sandblast the design using a custom designed template.  While Engrave-A-Crete maintains a collection of stock designs, Template Master, Stephen Lee is available to help with a specific, custom template.  This template featuring the lei, which has a long meaningful history for Hawaiians, was made using Deluze’s own art work..

This lei is actually a representation of two leis intertwined; double leis featuring these flowers are often worn together. One features the Maile leaf, a sweet scented vine  found in the forests of Hawaii, while the other lei is made up of Illimi flowers. Both flowers are significant to Hawaiian culture with the Lei Maile being considered the lei of all people for their special occasions. “I try to use local themes for my designs that will have meaning to the owners far into the future,” DeLuze said.

The lei design can be stained using Concrete Resurrection WRC stains to accent the dramatic green of the Maile leaves and orange/yellows of the Illimi flowers.  For this particular lei, Nathan left the design a simple white to emphasize the acid stain colors and effects on the rest of the floor.  The owner is very pleased with the peaceful white aspect of the design.

Nathan is one of many engravers who bring artistic talents to the table when planning a project with a customer. Customers receive a colored rendering of the design before engraving begins so they can get an idea of the finished project.  His designs each have  unique characteristics which even when similar are one-of-a-kind.

Nathan Deluze
N.D. Masonry, Inc
1501 Uluhaku Place
Kailua, HI
phone: 808-256-7764