Tools needed to stamp concrete

Be wary, say our experts. Unless you're familiar with the product or know another contractor who swears by the same brand, you're better off buying from a local distributor who will give you a chance to inspect the tools closely and ask any questions you may have about product quality.

Warranty and Reputation Count In addition to inspecting for quality, check the stamp supplier's tool warranties, replacement policies, and reputation before you give them your business. When cared for properly, a top-quality stamping tool should provide many reuses and years of performance in the field.

Some companies stand behind the durability of their products by offering lifetime warranties. Others will replace at no cost tools that tear or have obvious defects. To me, that makes all the difference," says Branum. Consult an Expert If you're still daunted by the multitude of stamping tools on the market, then get some expert advice.

Call several stamp manufacturers and ask them to explain what makes their tools superior to others. Also ask experienced stampers about the tools they prefer to use and why. Doing a bit of homework will ensure that your money is well spent on long-lasting tools that give your stamped concrete convincing detail and texture. A final word of advice: Once you take your pristine new stamping tools out of the box, avoid the temptation to use them right away on an important project.

Harris recommends experimenting with them first in wet, compacted sand so you can see how the pattern lines up and how much pressure is needed to achieve the desired level of detail. Once you perfect your technique, you'll be ready to use your new tools to transform concrete. Get Job Leads Today! About Us Free Newsletters. Check the release manufacturer's recommendations for curing. Install joints Cutting contraction joints also called control joints at the proper depth and spacing in the slab soon after placement provides stress relief at planned locations and prevents uncontrolled random cracking.

You can form joints in the concrete as it begins to set using a groover or you can wait to cut the joint until after the concrete has set using a saw equipped with a diamond or abrasive blade. Generally, a sawed joint is less noticeable than grooving. Seal the concrete Once the slab has cured sufficiently, you should apply a finish coat of sealer. Most manufacturers recommend applying the sealer several weeks later, after a light surface cleaning.

Be careful not to apply the sealer too heavily, which could trap moisture in the slab. One of the most effective techniques for applying sealer is to combine both spraying and rolling, especially when the stamped pattern has deep grout lines.

Going back over the surface with a roller where necessary helps to distribute the sealer uniformly. For more information, see How to Seal Concrete. Stamping tips If you're using a new stamp pattern for the first time, practice with the tools on compacted sand before using them in concrete.

Avoid pattern repetition, especially with patterns that mimic natural materials such as stone or slate. A random composition will look much more realistic. You'll get better results if you precondition, or coat, your stamp mats with some of the release agent. This will provide additional bond breaking to help ensure a clean imprint. To obtain a random antiquing effect, apply a very small amount of powdered release to the surface of the concrete and then spray the liquid release over the top of it.

The liquid dissolves the light layer of powder to leave subtle accents after the surface is stamped. Be sure the release agent gets well-compressed into the concrete by the stamp. Otherwise, it will simply wash off the surface without leaving the desired color. Periodically check the alignment of the stamps every couple of rows using a string line.

On many jobs, you'll be faced with having to stamp up against a vertical surface, such as a wall or a column. Use a floppy mat and texturing to bend or flex up against these surfaces. Be sure that the person walking on and moving the stamps is wearing clean boots or work shoes, free of any pebbles, mud, or other debris. Inevitably, these contaminants will end up on top of the stamps and fall onto the fresh concrete surface as the stamps are being lifted.

If you're using a powdered release, you can save time by sawcutting the contraction joints before removing the release. Another option is to incorporate bands or borders into your design to hide the joints. Some contractors have had success reducing or eliminating joints by using steel fibers in their concrete mix. Get Job Leads Today!

About Us Free Newsletters. How to Stamp Concrete. Company Name City, State. Concrete Stamp Cost Discover the average prices for concrete stamping mats, texturing skins, and accessory items.

Stamping Formulas Get color, texture and finish formulas for recreating popular stamped concrete looks. Stamped Concrete Sealers Get tips for choosing the right sealer, applying sealers and more. Ashlar slate. Random stone. Wood plank. Running bond brick.

Herringbone brick. European fan. Seamless stone. Medallion Stamps Elegant designs by Proline. Easy to color and maintain. Herringbone Used Brick Tool Size is 44" x 27". Brickform Stamping Tools Precision stamping tools. Copyright ConcreteNetwork. Looking for local job leads? See how we'll help you be found using geo targeting. Below is an outline of a four-man crew as suggested for the largest recommended project pour, square feet.

More experienced crews may be able to color and stamp as much as square feet per pour, but it is recommended to begin with smaller areas. This process can be adapted to fit specific project needs. Worker 1: Fluffs the release agent throughout the application process. Broadcasts release agent. Identifies areas that require touch up work. Acts as a general helper. Worker 2: Places the texture mats. The first mat should be carefully aligned, placed and tamped in at the starting point of the project.

Repeat the process by placing the second mat next to the first. Place mats tightly together to avoid messy grout line patterns. Continue with mats on hand, leapfrogging the mats as they are removed and replaced in the concrete. A minimum of three mats should be used for smaller pours.

Larger projects require additional mats. Worker 3: Tamps the mats as they are placed. Mats should be tamped straight down into the concrete using no more force than necessary to press the mat flush to the concrete.

Do not over tamp! Worker 4: Carefully removes the tamped mats by lifting gradually from one side first to break the suction. Passes mats to Worker 1 for preparation of next placement. Use a high-powered pressure washer PSI is recommended, but be careful, concrete can be damaged approximately 24 hours after the concrete has achieved initial set.

This is to remove excess release agent from the surface of the concrete. Vary the distance of the wand to the surface of the concrete so that the release is unevenly removed. Try to spray so that some of the release remains in the grout lines and deeper indentations. This will result in a more natural, aged and shadowed effect. Seal the concrete with an appropriate decorative concrete sealer according to manufacturer directions. When the slab is thoroughly dry, clear enhancer should be applied using a roller.

One gallon covers approximately square feet. A light coat should be applied in one direction and a second coat should be applied in a perpendicular direction in order to avoid unwanted lines. Be careful to avoid a buildup of sealer in the corners. Three dimensional stamped concrete is known as artificial rock which combines a stamped concrete technique with hand sculpting of the concrete. Integral colour is not used for this application but instead a water based paint process or acid stains are used.

Do I have to add color to the cement to stamp or can I stamp regular color cement? You can stamp any concrete -- colored or regular concrete -- with release agent powder on top. Yes No. Not Helpful 7 Helpful Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2.

Sarah Battilana. Using the release agent on the stamps should impart color down the sides of each form. Or, you could choose to use an integral color that will get mixed in with the concrete before it is poured to ensure that all of the concrete is the same color.

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1.