| | | | | leveling as you go along. At this point you will |
| Stamping Concrete-Do It Yourself and | | | | need a bull float to close the surface of the |
| Save Money | | | | concrete. Generally you will run the bull float |
| | | | | from top to bottom across the concrete |
| You will want to start out by picking your | | | | overlapping each previous pass approximately |
| colors. Some folks think that this can be one of | | | | 50% and then repeat the process from side to |
| the most complicated parts of stamping concrete. | | | | side. Do not worry about getting it completely |
| But as long as you are not to picky I’ll show | | | | flat, as once you begin to stamp it will not be flat |
| you how pick out your colors. You may choose | | | | at all. Do not get hung up on small dips or small |
| to start off with color swatches, the best way I | | | | elevation changes in the concrete. Now you may |
| have found to pick your color from a color | | | | begin to edge the perimeter of the concrete with |
| swatch is to pick a color from the swatch and | | | | an edging tool, again do not get hung up on doing |
| then go back one or two colors to get the actual | | | | this perfect, especially if this is your first time. |
| color that you want. This is very similar to | | | | Now you will run a fresno across your project in |
| picking out a color that you want to paint a | | | | the same manner as the bull float. |
| room. There are many variables such as indoor | | | | Ok you are ready to stamp your project. |
| lighting and the other colors in the room | | | | Before the concrete truck gets there, you will |
| (sofa’s, rugs drapes etc.) that you wish to | | | | want to pour the liquid release into a garden |
| paint. I am sure that you have picked out a | | | | sprayer and also get yourself some surface |
| color at the paint store and started to paint your | | | | retardant and do the same. Liquid release simply |
| room and suddenly you noticed it just doesn’t | | | | allows you to place the rubber stamp onto the |
| seem to match the color you picked from the | | | | concrete without removing the finish of your |
| color swatch, from the paint store. This is what | | | | concrete, the surface retardant will slow the |
| I call perceived vision. | | | | setting time of the concrete if you feel you are |
| | | | | getting a little behind. Simply spray the area you |
| If you can understand what I have just | | | | will be placing your stamp with liquid release and |
| mentioned this also applies to picking out a color | | | | the stamp itself before you place the stamp onto |
| for your stamped concrete job, there are many | | | | the concrete. You will not want to spay the |
| variables of perceived vision, such as sunlight and | | | | entire project at once as this will speed up the |
| surrounding colors, such as the color of your | | | | setting time of the concrete and it will more than |
| house, landscaping and grass. One other way to | | | | likely dry up before you get to the end of your |
| pick your colors is to visit your decorative | | | | project. Lay each stamp down and set the next |
| concrete supplier and check out some of the | | | | stamp tight against the stamping mat that is |
| samples or photos they may have hanging on | | | | already on the concrete, making sure that the |
| there wall. You may ask them or any one else if | | | | handles on the stamps face the same direction. If |
| they know of somewhere there is a stamped | | | | you have help it is best to designate a specific |
| concrete project is at so you can see the actual | | | | role for each person. What I mean by that is, |
| finished project and see for yourself how it either | | | | one person will spray the liquid release, one person |
| blends or contrast with the surrounding landscape. | | | | shall pick up and place the stamp mats and the |
| Let’s start pouring and finishing your | | | | other person will actually step on the mat and |
| stamped concrete project, I suggest that you | | | | make sure it has left a good impression. Repeat |
| start with no more than 100 square feet. First, | | | | this process until you reach the end. One other |
| let the concrete truck driver put the color into the | | | | thing you might do while your stamping is to use |
| concrete truck for you, and let it mix for at least | | | | a roller tool to flatten out the bead that will form |
| 10 minutes. Often you may notice some | | | | when you place the mats together. You may |
| streaking of the color as it comes out of the | | | | also want to do this process with a hand grinder |
| concrete truck, not to worry. You will want | | | | after the concrete sets. |
| some color differences as this will resemble the | | | | Let your project cure (set) for about 3-5 days |
| natural colors of what ever impressions or stamp | | | | and it is time to add secondary colors or the |
| that you have chosen for your project. For | | | | antique stage. For this you will need to pick out |
| example if you look at a rock you will notice that | | | | an antique agent, I suggest you use charcoal or |
| it has many shades of the same color and often | | | | grey for your first time. You will also need to |
| some other colors. Your next step will be to | | | | get some xylene, one gallon for every 80_90 |
| insert the concrete into your forms, you will need | | | | square feet. You will then add 5 tbsp. of antique |
| what is called a screed board or a 2”x 4”, | | | | agent to the xylene in a 1 gallon garden sprayer |
| the purpose of a screed board is to level out the | | | | and stir or shake for about 45 seconds. In a |
| concrete inside of your forms and to also knock | | | | circular motion spray the secondary colors, or |
| down the aggregate or rocks inside the cement. | | | | antique, onto the stamped concrete project, ( |
| Drop the wet concrete inside your form work | | | | spray only a small area at first, let it dry and you |
| and leave it about a ½” higher than the top | | | | should see a light dusting on top of your project) |
| of your forms. A good way to get a rough | | | | keeping in mind to spray some areas thicker that |
| grade is to use a tool called a concrete rake or a | | | | others, while being careful not to spray it on to |
| square edged shovel will do. After you have | | | | thick, this will give you a more natural looking |
| gotten the concrete ½” above your form | | | | finish. |
| work you can start the “screed” | | | | Let the xylene dry and apply two coats of; |
| process. You will definitely need someone to help | | | | non-yellowing, solvent based acrylic sealant. Your |
| you with this process. After you have found | | | | project will be a lot darker when you apply the |
| someone to help you, here is what needs to be | | | | sealant than you anticipated, not to worry, the |
| done. Each person will get on one side of the | | | | sealant also needs to cure. Within a day or two |
| screed board, as each of you will start to pull the | | | | it will lighted up to your perceived vision. |
| concrete towards the end of the form work | | | | |