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Decorative Concrete Institute Insights
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January 2007
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Dear Bob,
Are you looking to break into the decorative
concrete world? Or, perhaps, are you a seasoned
veteran of the business looking for new ideas and to
sharpen your skills? We have training opportunities
available for everyone! We've just added several new
classes through Fall and Spring. Be sure to
check out the training available on our website:
DecorativeConcreteInstitute.com
Bob Harris
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Concrete Coutertops – Cast-in-Place 101
December 7-8-9, 2006
Bob and Lee Ann head to Raleigh, NC for a joint
cast-in-place concrete countertop class held at the
Concrete Countertop Institute. The students learned
proper reinforcing techniques as well as
understanding the importance of a good quality mix
design. During this class topics covered were:
proper sub base installation, sink and faucet
knockouts as well as forming up the edge details.
The class was divided into four groups of which each
group was responsible for preparing their own
kitchen countertop. Each group also mixed and
placed their own concrete under the instruction of
Bob and Jeff Girard.
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This was an interesting class due to the fact that
we had beginners as well as advanced countertop
installers. Bob and Brad of CCI framed up a
demonstration countertop that consisted of intricate
back splash details. The class learned how to
monolithically pour both the countertop and
backsplash at the same time. On the last day other
interesting techniques were covered such as stains
and dyes, as well as some crazy engraved graphics.
Thanks Jeff, Lane and Brad for another successful
class with DCI and CCI!
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Skim Coats-Stains-Dyes
December 13-14-15, 2006
Decorative Concrete Institute held a skim coat class
featuring ColorMaker Floors products. The primary
focus was on ColorMaker’s Sgraffino, Fine and
Superfine, Pentimento and unbelievable coloring
techniques using acid stains and both water-based
and solvent-based dyes.
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Some of the floors poured during this class were
poured as a permanent addition to the Decorative
Concrete Institute. We used the existing
contraction joints in the warehouse floor to epoxy
down brass divider strips that were ¾” wide x 1/8”
tall.
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Bob demonstrated proper application techniques with
Pentimento and unbelievable coloring techniques
using Colorfast pigments. The students were also
able to create their own masterpiece.
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Check out our upcoming ColorMaker workshops for this
popular aspect of the business.
Click here for more info on upcoming classes!
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Illusional Concrete Art
December 18-19-20-21, 2006
Julie Kirk was welcomed back for our second
successful Illusional Concrete Class. Using the
previously poured ColorMaker Pentimento as our
canvas, the class was able to create some
unbelievable masterpieces under Julie and Bob’s
instruction. This was a great class with a nice
blend of theoretical classroom instruction as well
as hands-on work.
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The students were taught the difference between
single point and two point perspective as well as
anamorphic perspective which is taking a distorted
image and transferring it to the floor creating some
unbelievable effects. The products used to create
this interesting work was Rustoleum’s new concrete
stain, DCI dyes and Key Resins 512, 100% solids
epoxy to clear coat over the top of everything.
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Watch for our next class and you must come to DCI to
see this work for yourself. Thanks again, Julie, for
another great class. Can hardly wait for the next
one! DCI again, staying on the cutting edge of
imagination and product education.
Click for our upcoming class schedules!
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Stay tuned for next month’s newsletter, which
includes the great news of the filming of Bob’s next
video: "A Guide to Stained Concrete,” a
step-by-step instructional DVD!
We look forward to seeing you at the World of Concrete!
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