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My Favorite Concrete Products with Kevin Winkler

KW Specialized Concrete in Olympia, Wash.

Recently we had a chance to talk with Kevin Winkler of KW Specialized Concrete in Olympia, Wash. about a restaurant remodel project. Below is information on some of his favorite decorative concrete products.

FossilCrete Mix (www.fossilcrete.com): Kevin chooses to use FossilCrete's Vertical Stamp Mix when he is doing vertical work for a number of reasons. First, he explains that "the mix is great because of the ease of application and its forgiveness to things going wrong." He also spoke of how FossilCrete is good to use for repair purposes, saying that "it works well for reattaching pieces that may have fallen off."

Kevin wants to dispel the myth that the Vertical Stamp Mix is difficult to use. In fact, he says, "We all think it's difficult or hard to use at first, but it turns out to be really simple once you understand the system." Although he claims the process is simple and that the proper technique can be learned quickly, he doesn't deny that practice is needed. Kevin has been using this mix for over a year and a half and now uses it on all his vertical projects, including a realistic concrete tree in the entryway of a restaurant.

Miracote (www.miracote.com): Kevin uses Miracote cementitious overlayments when resurfacing concrete. "Using Miracote is like printing money," he says, "it's challenging to understand at first but once you do its reliable and dependable." Kevin also likes Miracote products because of their longevity. He says, "When I put down a Miracote overlay, I know it is going to last."

Kevin was unsure about doing overlays at first, so unsure that he avoided them for eight years. But after studying Miracote for a few years and working closely with Tony Christopher, who provided technical support, Kevin decided to start using the Miracote system. Kevin is happy with the product, but more importantly, he says, "I learned two valuable lessons: first, not to be afraid to try new products, and second, not to be afraid to ask for help when you are learning something new."

Encounter (www.encountertop.com): Kevin prefers to use Encounter mix when pouring countertops. He says that "it is challenging to use, but I am always very impressed with the results." The mix is poured very thick, which can be intimidating, but it also helps speed the process along. Kevin gave a warning about water-cement ratio, saying, "If you add too much water, the mix gets too wet. When you first use the mix, you will think that it is too thick, but that's what you want."

Kevin emphasized the importance of being patient while adjusting your technique. "You have to experiment a little to figure out how to mix it properly in the hopper, how to get it into the forms, and how to correctly place rebar reinforcement." he says. "After you have these things down, then it's a cake walk." Then you are ready to put the finishing touches on your counter. Encounter mix can be stamped, polished, and colored with a variety of products (Kevin prefers Brickform's dye and seal). Kevin recommends getting training before using this mix. "It will be worth it once you see the results," he says.

Distributors (www.dcsystemssupport.com): Although distributors do not fall into the product category, Kevin sees them as being equally vital to the success of his decorative concrete work. "Specifically," Kevin says, "Ken Heitzmann, of Decorative Concrete Systems, has been a life saver because he gets suppliers together in one place, and provides a great network of tech-support. I call Ken, if he doesn't have an answer, he tells me who to talk to." This type of support has been crucial in the success of KW Specialized Concrete, and is a great model for anyone getting started in the business.

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