Splatter textures, also referred to as spray on concrete or spraypave are a textured concrete restoration that can improve the aesthetics of virtually any concrete slab or surface. Spray on concrete is not limited to concrete flat work, it is also implemented for vertical decorative concrete surfaces for a coloured stucco appearance.

A hopper gun that is connected to an air compressor is used to produce the rounded, bubble like texture. This texture adds great slip resistance to the surface, making a spraypave application ideal for concrete driveways, pool decks and outdoor living spaces.

Unlike acrylic based systems, THIN-FINISH™ can be “knocked down” to further improve the appearance or design and also to remove any sharp edges from the surface. Once cured, these finishes will last the life time of the substrate.

Although the spray on concrete look is somewhat outdated, it is one of the most simple applications to learn and is also an economical solution to plain grey concrete slabs and surfaces.

Concrete stencils and design tape are often used to create stone and tile patterns. These systems can be integrally coloured with PORTION CONTROL COLORANT™, SYNTHETIC PRIMARY PIGMENT™ and then further highlighted and accented with ULTRA-STONE™ Antiquing Stain.

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Tuscan trowel, also known as a slate trowel down or skip trowel are a popular concrete overlay and concrete restoration technique that are used with Elite Crete System’s, THIN-FINISH™ and MICRO-FINISH overlays.

These applications can give the appearance of weathered stone, slate or ceramic tile. Due to the slip resistance associated with these textured  finishes they are commonly used in wet areas, such as pool decks, driveways, walkways or any outdoor surface that is exposed to the elements. The Tuscan trowel finish is also a popular interior and exterior flooring system. Designs can easily be created with fibre tape or stencils, simulating large or small tiles, stone, marble or any unique and authentic image or pattern at a fraction of the cost.

Trowel down applications are a great concrete restoration application. Repairing and hiding cracked, pitted, stained, delaminated and weathered concrete surfaces is one of the most common uses of this technique. Rather then pouring a new slab, a THIN-FINISH™ trowel down may be the simple solution for restoring your old or damaged concrete slab and acquire a textured concrete brand new look.

Building layers and creating depth with multiple colours is easily accomplished with integral colouring and highlight staining, giving these concrete textures unlimited possibilities.

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Elite Crete System’s CPR 1000™, THIN-FINISH™ and TEXTURE-PAVE™ hybrid concrete restoration systems can be used for repairing spalling, pitted, deteriorated, stained, ghastly or poorly finished concrete that may otherwise need to be torn out and replaced.

Most common concrete repair or concrete restoration applications require .8mm to 6.35mm thick concrete overlays, however thicker applications are also available. The end result is a concrete surface that has the appearance of a freshly poured concrete slab, however the performance characteristics of the surface are heightened and improve resistance to chemical exposure, ultra violet degradation, water resistance, petrochemical resilience and more. Due to the low cost of these systems, they have become a common and viable concrete restoration and concrete repair method.

Applications such as splatter textures, broom finishes, skip trowel and THIN-STAMPED™ concrete overlays are a cost saving measure that significantly improves the aesthetics and performance of the substrate for the home or business owner.

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Choosing a broom which has peculiar bristles leaves behind unique patterns that can simulate wood grains, or leave texture that is favourable to unique colouring, decorative concrete designs and variegation.

Although a simple technique, many variations are possible with this decorative concrete finish. Checker board patterns can be created by changing directions with the broom and can then be measured off and coloured alternately. Circular motions can also leave behind an artistic impression all while creating a visually pleasing, economical and slip resistant surface.

Broom finishes can be integrally coloured with PORTION CONTROL COLORANT™ or SYNTHETIC PRIMARY PIGMENT™. Colouring with ULTRA-STONE™ Antiquing Stain leaves behind a permanent colour that will not fade under UV exposure and adds character to the textured finish. Colouring with CHEM-STONE™ Reactive Acid Stain can give the appearance of an uneven, semiopaque semblance that increases and adds great character to a broom finish.

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Translucent Concrete Staining Products

An acid stain is solution used to stain concrete and create decorative concrete finishes that transform plain grey concrete into a multitude of variegated, mottled, translucent and authentic appearing concrete designs and finishes.

The concrete mix design and chemical properties of the concrete slab makes each and every application unique, be it a textured floor or a previously coloured concrete slab. This is where the true beauty of concrete staining lies.

Acid stains are not a paint coating, or film forming agent but rather are a penetrating, translucent colouring medium used to stain concrete with an effect that resembles that of natural materials. Unlike acrylic concrete stains, an acid stain will not quickly fade, flake, peel or delaminate. The chemical reaction is created from a combination of acidic solutions and metallic salts that when applied to the concrete surface will react with the free lime content of the concrete slab and will leave a permanent and unique surface that can vibrantly colour and transform concrete bring its own exclusive appeal.

There are numerous design techniques and effects that are possible with acid stains. To make for a more controlled application, Elite Crete Australia recommends using one of their concrete overlay systems; THIN-FINISH™, TEXTURE-PAVE™ or MICRO-FINISH™, all of which can be integrally coloured and will produce a broader spectrum of colours, effects and patterns. Applying multiple coloured stains on textured and stamped concrete brings to realization the endless colouring possibilities. Acid stains do not have to be used as a stand-alone concrete colouring product, Elite Crete Systems concrete dyes can be used to go along with it to make matching and blending designer floors easier than ever before.

Bare in mind that you cannot always stain concrete. Some surface contaminates will shield the surface from accepting the staining process. Also, concrete surfaces that have been over exposed to hostile climate and traffic abuse will not produce the full effects of an acid stain and are recommended to be repaired and coated with an Elite Crete Systems polymer modified cementations concrete overlays when and where possible.

CHEM-STONE™ Reactive Stain is Elite Crete Systems penetrating, concrete stain. Unlike many manufactures, Elite Crete Australia does not sell a watered down acid stain but rather a concentrated stain that allows the end user a wider colour palette that is also cost effective.

The following colours are available from Elite Crete Australia:

Antique Black, Antique Blue, Antique Brown, Antique Gold, Antique Green, Antique Red, Antique Tan and Antique Umber.

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An Economical Alternative to Slate, Brick, Stone, Masonry and Pavers

Stamped concrete provides an economical alternative to slate, brick, stone, masonry and even wood finishes. Virtually any colour and decorative pattern can be created with Elite Crete Systems TEXTURE-PAVE™ overlay.

Elite Crete Systems thin stamped concrete overlay system is superior to any other concrete stamping overlay available today. With the use of our proven proprietary hybrid polymer mixture we can make claim to the only overlay system that both chemically and mechanically adheres to concrete surfaces. If the correct preparation is carried out on the substrate prior to installation of the pressed concrete overlay, re-emulsification and delamination of the decorative concrete overlay will not occur but will instead leave a permanent and everlasting impression.

Any manufacturer that recommends a moisture barrier or surface densifier prior to use of their stamped concrete overlay is essentially putting a bandaid on a system that will eventually fail due to re-emulsification and delamination caused by rising vapours. These moisture barriers that are commonly used as a solution to rising vapours do not stop the process but only slow down the eventual and unavoidable failure of the concrete stamping system.

1/4 inch (6.35mm) pressed concrete is the standard and most ideal depth for concrete overlays. Many manufactures and tradesmen try to get by with 1/8 inch (3.17mm) concrete stamping techniques, although you can achieve stamping as thin as 3.17mm and even thinner we do not recommend these applications as the authenticity of the impressed concrete overlay is compromised at shallower depths.

Accenting and colouring TEXTURE-PAVE™ for authentic colours is made easy with the use of ULTRA-STONE™ Antiquing Stain. CHEM-STONE™ reactive acid stain is a great alternative to colouring stamped concrete and can produce an uneven, semiopaque appearance that resembles natural stones or marble that will not fade and peel like an acrylic stain will.

One common complaint with stamped concrete is that it’s slippery. This is generally due to the use of dry shake colour hardeners that are most often made from silica quartz. With the use of TEXTURE-PAVE™, slip resistance is no longer an issue with stamped concrete.

TEXTURE-PAVE™ can be used on both interior and exterior concrete flooring projects as well as vertical applications. TEXTURE-PAVE™ also frequently used in the process of building concrete furniture, concrete countertops, vertical concrete applications and in the repairing of heavily spalled and delaminated concrete.

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