Vol. 10 No. 6 - August/September 2010

First and foremost, using ultraviolet curing equipment for concrete coatings requires diligent safety practices. Compare it to "a welder's flash on steroids." Sunglasses and long-sleeved shirts are not enough. UV emitted by curing equipment can be many times brighter than the sun.

A closer look at one of the country’s most stylish countertop fabricators - and one of the industry’s most charismatic characters.

Coatings that cure when exposed to ultraviolet light pose unique challenges for artisans and contractors, but the performance and cure speed of these materials may make them worth it.

Radial stamps, multipiece tools that create circular and curved patterns, have earned stamp manufacturers a round of applause.

Acid staining is unpredictable by nature, but after years of experience, several of the country’s most gifted artisans have developed techniques that incorporate the stains into tried-and-true effects.

Many of history’s most beautiful works of art were created for places of worship. These days, decorative concrete is doing its part to beautify churches across the country.

Taking concrete to another level with the introduction of a new television show called "Concrete Nation" that will begin airing on Fox television stations in October. The goal of "Concrete Nation" is to document the building of a house made mostly of concrete. The intent is to show the world the beauty of concrete when put into the hands of artists.

Here are three tips from the experts on acid staining and how you can succeed in your next job.

As with most things in life, a decorative concrete installer faces many choices when it comes to the products and processes he or she uses on a job. Unfortunately, the choice is often made to take the path of least resistance or buy at low cost versus favoring long-term performance and the quality of the project.

Creating a look reminiscent of cork or aged hardwood floors, this technique requires plastic sheeting and some well-coordinated teamwork.

Mike Miller reminicses about the times he was asked to help complete a complex concrete projects from his past.

The "first cut" is the foundation for the polished concrete floor that you are going to create. But what is a "first cut"? In speaking with a wide range of concrete polishers, I've found that there seems to be three ways this question can be answered.

ColorJuice's new formula combines nanopigments with a lithium-silicate hardener and other proprietary hardening products to lock the color into the slab permanently, even when exposed to ultraviolet light.

Super Dye is a liquid concentrate, not a powder dye. The Super product is packaged as an 8-ounce concentrated liquid that is mixed with a gallon of water or acetone. Give the mixture a quick stir, and it's ready to apply to the concrete floor without having to wait for the dye to sweat in.

Using iron shavings to alter the reaction of the stains, this recipe is ideal if you're after dramatic patterns and bold swirls of color.

As you know, there are plenty of situations when you mix your own concrete rather than having it delivered from the ready-mix plant. Whether you are proposing stain, exposed aggregate or stamped concrete, a mixer is a great option for creating samples.