Category Archives: Decorative Concrete Training

Footprint Cleanup – Tips of the Trade

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Picture yourself walking up to the basement floor you stained the evening before.  There they are – footprints leading from the patio door to the stairway. Oh,  #%*&!

It can happen, and regardless of who’s to blame, it’s your job to fix the problem.

Chris Mirabal, Senior Tech Advisor, has some suggestions for dealing with the issue.

Reactive Acid Chemical (RAC) stained floor:

  1.  Use a floor machine with a black pad and scrub, scrub, scrub the surface. Your goal is to get as much of the stain off the entire floor as possible.  Yes, it’s like starting all over.  (The footprints will still show up, but will be much lighter.)
  2. Reapply RAC stain using standard procedure, blending in what remains of the footprints.

OR

  1.  Use a floor machine to scrub as above.
  2. Reapply RAC stain using standard procedure.
  3. Use rags, sponge, HVLP or pump sprayer to apply Water Reducible Concentrate (WRC) stain to create a faux finish that camouflages what remains of the footprints.

For a Water Reducible Concentrate (WRC) stained floor:

  1.  Apply more WRC to mask the footprints.  You will likely have to do the entire floor for a consistent look. Faux finishes hide flaws well.

As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”  To prevent this nightmare from happening again,…

  • Explain to your customer what to expect during the decorative concrete installation, and the importance of not touching the floor until you give the go-ahead.
  • Use caution tape to block off the entrances or to surround the entire area. Use Keep Out signs.
  • Alert other workers on the job site about the importance of not walking on the surface.

Training Options – More Than One Way

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There’s an old adage that says, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.”

The same is true for learning decorative concrete. We advise prospects to attend our Discovery and Learning Seminar to find out if decorative concrete is right for them. And, that IS the best way to decide.

But, we are also realistic. Maybe you simply don’t have the money or the time to attend our seminar. Or, maybe you’d rather invest the money you do have in a tool.

So, here’s a second option.  Buy one of our tools and some stain/supplies first. Get whatever you can afford.  Then go to our website and educate yourself by watching the instructional videos.  You can learn everything you need to know to complete some basic decorative concrete jobs.

As you earn money from those beginning jobs, start planning and saving to attend our seminar.  While you’re here, you’ll learn the advanced layouts and techniques that you need to know to put yourself ahead of your competitors.

Whether you choose seminar first or tools first, the important thing is…get started now.

You Asked For It!

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You asked for it – we’re about to deliver.

The 3-D Tile pattern featured on the trophy slab at a recent seminar has proven to be a big hit on today’s market.

If you missed the opportunity to learn this complex-looking layout, you have another chance.

Brandon Adamson, distinguished master concrete engraver, will teach the class again during the April 25-27, 2012 Discovery and Training Seminar.

While the 3-D Tile pattern looks complicated, Brandon will demonstrate efficient layout techniques and attendees will use the revolutionary new Mongoose X to install the design with ease.

Popular colors will be used to stain the design elements, transforming the surface into the showcase pattern customers are looking for.

The 3-D Tile class is in addition to the regular content featured in our monthly seminar.

And there’s more…

Those who pay full tuition to attend our April seminar will take home…

  • FREE Wasp (valued at $399)
  • FREE Seminar Sampler Pack of 8 RAC and 8 WRC stains in our most popular colors (valued at $291)

Due to the intense training for the 3-D Tile pattern, seating is limited. This seminar is loaded with top-of-the-line content and free merchandise, so slots are going fast.

Don’t delay. Call us today at 800-884-2114 to register.

Spring into Seminar – Bright Changes for You

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Spring has sprung and change is in the air.  Do you find yourself wishing you could make some changes in your life?

  • Become your own boss maybe?
  •  Learn a trade that will earn you good money?
  • Master cutting-edge techniques to add to your already impressive list of skills?
  • Take advantage of the surge in remodeling that’s sweeping the nation?

All these and more are within your grasp when you attend our three-day, hands-on Decorative Concrete Discovery and Training Seminar.  If you hurry, you can fill one of the 21 slots available for our April 25-27 session.  And, you can bring one buddy for a reduced price.

If you can’t make arrangements quite that quickly, think forward to the May 23-25 seminar. Again it’s limited to 21 students, so don’t delay.

While you’re here you’ll learn

  • Concrete Engraving
  • Concrete Staining
  • Marketing Your Business
  • Do’s and Don’ts – We even let you screw up some projects so you’ll know how to avoid problems on your real decorative concrete jobs, and how to fix them if they do happen.

After just three action-packed days, you’ll leave Engrave-A-Crete with the skills you need to become a decorative concrete installer. You’re never pressured to buy tools at our seminar.  Just come and learn, and then decide for yourself if decorative concrete is the career for you.

Check out the training section of our website for a full description of our seminar. Then pick up the phone and give us a call at 800-884-2114.

A real person will answer your call here at Engrave-A-Crete, ready to help you take your first step on the path to a bright and prosperous future.

Decorative Concrete Training | Extras Aren’t Just Sparkling Bling

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When you occupy one of the 21 seats at the April 2012 Discovery and Training Seminar at Engrave-A-Crete, you get groovy hands-on experience with the quality Engrave-A-Crete tools, plus Concrete Resurrection stains and sealers. You expect that from decorative concrete training.

But, you get more extras that add solid benefit to your new business.

Breakout sessions for marketing help the contractor with tips about marketing decorative concrete engraving in their work area. You learn techniques and terms so that you don’t have to fail while waiting for concrete sparkle to sift down on you and make you shine! (I know you don’t believe in sparkle and want some solid direction for marketing.)

Other breakout sessions tell you why reactive acid stain works best in some situations and why water reducible concentrate is preferred in others, as well as why and where to apply the various types of sealer you’re using in the hands-on sessions.

You go away from seminar knowing how to use the Mongoose X, the Cobra, the KaleidoCrete system, Blastin’ Betty and Sandroid along with Concrete Resurrection stains and sealers.
Because the extra breakout sessions are not just extra bling, you’ll learn WHY decorative concrete can be the successful answer to concrete needs in many situations.

Some of those limited 21 seats have already been claimed. April 25-27, 2012 are the big days for the next seminar session. Your investment for the knowledge is $895, plus you can bring one more person from your team for only $495. It is time to call 800-884-2114 and reserve your seat. Learn how to make yourself shine with quality skills.