Education & Information

Concrete Countertop Class

Our training last two days and will cover the following:

  • Concrete Basics
  • Stamped and stenciled concrete
  • Staining concrete with acid stains, water based stains, and dyes
  • Surface prep for overlays and stains
  • Polymer overlays- stamped overlays, troweled overlays, sprays, and micro-toppings.
  • Troubleshooting
  • Starting a decorative concrete company- writing a business plan, a marketing plan, bidding systems, and avoiding pitfalls.
  • Controlling customer expectations.
  • Positioning for the future-

DAY ONE- Friday September 18th, 2009

  • 8:15- 8:30 Introductions, coffee, juice, donuts
  • 8:30 to 9:30 Concrete Basic – We will discuss mix design, admixtures, water/cement ratios, and step retardation. Step retardation is a method of using different admixtures to control the set and physical properties of concrete allowing you to control your job and maintain better quality
  • 9:30 to 9:45 get ready for pour
  • 9:45 to 12:30 We will pour we will pour a stamped concrete piece with a border, a seamless texture piece, a stenciled piece with a border, and stamp and color a small set of steps. We will apply color hardener, use powdered release, liquid release, and utilize several different imprinting methods.
  • 12:30 to 1:30 Lunch
  • 1:30 to 2:30 Starting or expanding your decorative concrete company- We will cover niche’ markets and we will write a starting business plan
  • 2:30 to 2:45 Break
  • 2:45 to 3:45 We will complete your business plan and complete a marketing plan.
  • 3:45 to 4:45 Complete our business and marketing plans. Recap our pours, and give out handouts to be completed in the evening. Hand-outs need to be completed by morning

Day 2 Saturday September 19th

  • 8:15 to 8:30 Juice, coffee, and donuts
  • 8:30 to 9:00 Introduce polymer overlays and go over assignments
  • 9:00 to 10:00 We will install a stamped overlay, a troweled overlay, and a micro-topping.
  • 9:30 to 10:00 Wash, antiqued, trouble shoot yesterday’s concrete pours.
  • 10:15 to 10:30 Break- Class photos and Certificate of Completion
  • 10:30 to 11:30 We will discuss the three most common ways of staining concrete- dyes, water based stains , and acid stains.
  • 11:30 to 12:00 Sealers- including acrylics, epoxies, and urethanes.
  • 12:00 to 12:30 We will discuss the training, assist with initial orders, and answer any questions.

    • Please remember- Students receive a 10% discount on any orders above $500.00 and 5% discount for orders below$499.00. This discount is only for the last day of class.

    * Class cost is $250.00 per person…….. $100.00 deposit is needed to reserve your spot- space is limited