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Decorative
cuts and sandblasted patterns
created with stencils can enhance
as well add a unique and beautiful
appearance to any stained concrete
surface.
The total appearance and
effect you want to create will
depend on careful planning.
For instance, if you want
an even overall stained finish,
then you will need to cut your
decorative lines or sandblast your
patterns after you have completed
the staining process.
This is because stains will
penetrate differently near and
around indentations.
However, if your design
requires a color change at or
within the pattern line, then you
will need to cut first the line
into the concrete in order to
create a barrier to prevent the
colors from bleeding together.
However, be warned that
sawing dust contains free lime can
adhere to the surface and cause
color distortion.
If you plan to grout the
sawed joints, then you will need
to complete the staining process
then apply the sealant before you
grout the sawed joints.
By applying the sealant
first, it will help to prevent the
grout from accumulating and
adhering to areas where you
don’t the grout.
When
drawing or tracing out the lines
for your pattern, we suggest that
you use with a pencil or chalk.
However, do not use chalk
colors, which are difficult to
remove.
In addition, you should not
use a clear fixative spray to
adhere lines to the concrete
surface, as these marks could
bleed through the stain and
distract the overall appearance of
your floor.
If
you plan to do this project
yourself, you’ll be happy to
know that many home improvement
stores rent tools for cutting
pattern lines in concrete.
To cut your lines, many
professional installers recommend
using a grinder or hand-held saw
with tables, which ride against
guides.
For a saw guide, you can
use an 11 /2
-inch extruded aluminum
"L" angle.
These are available at most
home improvement stores, makes a
good saw guide.
They also recommend using
dry-cutting diamond blades so that
there is minimum damage to the
edge of the cuts.
You will also want to use a
dust-collection device, which will
trap most of the concrete dust. This will help keep the dust level down and make clean up
easier.
You
can also create dramatic effects
by applying stencils to the
concrete surface after the
staining process and then
sandblast to reveal plain or
colored concrete in areas not
protected by the stencils.
The stencils used are often
made from plastic/vinyl material.
Most of these stencils also
have an adhesive backing so that
they stick to the surface of the
floor.
It is recommended that you
apply one coat of sealer before
sandblasting to improve stencil
adhesion.
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