Going Vertical
Engrave-A-Crete tools and processes are ideal for applying relief, texture, color, designs and logos to retaining walls, buildings and more. You can gain the same effect vertically as your customers have enjoyed on their floors.
Over recent months we have fielded an increasing number of questions about the opportunity to apply decorative concrete engraving techniques into vertical surfaces. Below are the top tips and tricks for you to consider when staining and engraving a vertical surfaces.
VERTICAL RULES
#1 – Surface preparation is a priority on vertical surfaces and flooring surfaces. – Never skip a step in surface preparation. Although vertical surfaces will receive no wear from foot traffic, stains and sealers can still fail without proper cleaning and drying.
#2 - Process sequence is the same. - When planning out a decorative concrete flooring or vertical project the sequence of steps varies depending on the final objective. Sometimes you stain first but often you engrave first depending on the end vision.
#3 – KaleidoCrete tools may be your easiest solution. – The Shark, Barracuda and Wasp will allow you to engrave beautiful designs and logos into vertical surfaces. Merely anchor a template to the wall with self tapping concrete screws and begin cutting. Templates are also available to create straight grout/mortar lines. These templates will allow you to easily create beautiful brick, slate and other patterns on vertical surfaces.
#4 – Minimize the dilution of stains and apply stains with rags or sponges. – When applying stains to vertical surfaces your number one enemy is liquid stain running down the concrete surface. Sponge and rag application will minimize the risk. When staining vertical surfaces introduce color gradually and add more with additional coats. Applying stains to large areas can be accomplished using a pump sprayer, or an HVLP sprayer. Spraying works best when the wall is porous. You can minimize the risk of running by immediately and continuously rolling newly applied stain.
#5 – Spray sealers with an airless sprayer in multiple light coats. Like stains, minimize the risk of the sealer running by applying multiple light coats.
#6 – Do not limit your design thinking to logos and graphics. – Beyond graphics and logos, opportunities exist for engraving: directional signage, brick patterns and more.
#7 – Sandblasting with Sandroid may be the perfect solution. – Using an Engrave-A-Crete template set you can get beautiful effects with the more subtle texture when using the Sandroid Recirculating Blasting system on outside walls and inside walls.
#8 – Glass, a vertical surface to Engrave. -Sandroid will create beautiful etched effects in glass. Multiple blasting media can be used to gain varied textures.
Watch for more information, videos, and special tools from Engrave-A-Crete in the months ahead to help you take your Decorative Concrete Business to the next dimension – VERTICAL!