The Stamp Store to Moon Decorative
The Stamp Store’s next evolution:
Moon Decorative Concrete
Over the past 23 years, the Stamp Store has established itself as an Oklahoma City mainstay—a place known for excellent customer service and knowledge in the decorative concrete industry. The founder of the Stamp Store, Doug Bannister, developed the company’s pioneering technologies and iconic status in the business of concrete. CEO Jeff Schulhoff comments, “We were impressed with that, but I think we were equally impressed with the team that surrounded him.” The professional staff of the Stamp Store certainly functions as a cohesive unit, while continually learning and teaching as new techniques and tools in the industry evolve.
The Stamp Store’s commitment to expert education and customer service has proven to be a unique offering to the community and was the vision on which the Stamp Store was founded in 1995. The SS Specialties product line was also created to improve upon the industry standards. Contractors and customers came (and still come) from all over the Unites States to learn decorative concrete techniques and application for their own business and homes.
In May 2016, Moon Chemical Products acquired the Stamp Store. As the company continued on its journey of growth, the Stamp Store took its next step in further grounding itself in the decorative concrete industry—embracing a more recognizable name. In January 2018, the Stamp Store became Moon Decorative Concrete.
Staying true to the company’s initial focus, Moon Decorative Concrete is committed to maintaining our current trusted product line while researching and developing new products and continuing to educate our staff and customers. Our team’s desire is to invest and better support our contractors and customers because we realize our clients are our best spokesmen to showcase the artistry, beauty, and durability of decorative concrete. Our monthly hands-on training classes continue with participants creating concrete countertops, learning to acid stain, and gaining experience with multiple sealers and coatings to maintain and protect their concrete. Moving forward, Moon Decorative Concrete is planning to create training videos to familiarize our customers across the globe with the newest, in-vogue concrete techniques, as well as developing a user-friendly website that makes purchasing the right products simple. As always, our staff is devoted to remaining a technical resource to contractors and customers for on-site assistance.
We appreciate your support and look forward to serving you!
Largest Online Store
Moon Decorative, located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is stocked to the rafters with the largest collection of decorative concrete products: color pigments, fiber, hand tools, concrete sealers, sprayers and many of the hundreds of texture mats and skins. With over 3000 products, we are the largest online decorative concrete store.
Moon Decorative cares about decorative concrete and wants’ to help others discover the wide and varied uses of concrete. Often times, looking for the right product can be a daunting task, especially if you don’t know exactly what product you need for your project. Our web site is as much about education as it is about providing a reference source for the multitude of products available which can be shipped to your location. Our staff is trained to ask questions of the caller so that our clients get the right product for the job.
Looking for a specific look? We suggest you go online and look for ideas. Our gallery is a great place to start. Or perhaps ask a good contractor, they often will have ideas and solutions. Need a good contractor? We have just the resources to help.
In addition to having a huge inventory of decorative concrete materials, Moon Decorative is widely recognized as a reliable source of product information and tech data for the products we carry. Our technical staff is one of the best in the country and is here to assist you. To put one of our techs on your team, call us at 888-848-0059. Their experience and expertise might be just what you need to accomplish your unique project.
Owner Doug Bannister, has been involved in decorative concrete treatments work since 1980. His experience and approach qualifies him as one of the leading experts in the decorative concrete industry. The training at Moon Decorative is unparalleled. You can find a variety of classes whether you are a homeowner or contractor, check out the training schedule.
With such a huge selection of products, you can’t go wrong when you select a product from our store. We carry all the major brands such as APF, Brickform, Chapin, enCOUNTER, Fritz-Pak, Kraft Tools, Proline, Solomon, SS Specialties, and Wooster are but just a few of the products we inventory.
Need your products in a hurry? That’s not a problem. Because Oklahoma City, OK. is centrally located, it makes it easy and economical for you to get your products when you want them. Our shipping department is expert in knowing what carrier to pick, and which ones provide the most cost effective way to ship, depending on your location. We work with both ground and air carriers, insuring your products will arrive to you on time.
So, give Moon Decorative a try. We feel 100% certain you will love us.
MSDS Information
For MSDS information, please call 888-848-0059 and we will be happy to email these to you.
Contractors, Are You Interested In More Jobs And More Money?
Get On Our Contractor’s List!
Approximately 35 to 40 of Moon Decorative’s “Recommended Contractor Referral Lists” are faxed or given to individuals’ on a daily basis during our peak season. Contractors on our list get the calls. Our list is about the EASIEST and BEST source of free advertising for your company – that money can’t buy.
If you would want to be included on our Contractor’s Referral List, please consider the following:
- Contractor must provide proof of insurance
- Contractor must provide 3 referral letters with pictures from satisfied customers.
- To remain on the Contractor Referral List you must purchase every 30 days and be current on your account.
Do you think you might like to be listed?
Great, we’d love to have you. Just bring your proof of insurance, pictures and referral letters to Dana at Moon Decorative.
LET US HELP YOUR BUSINESS BE A SUCCESS.
Ensuring Professional Results with Quality Cement Countertop Products
Cement countertops can be a beautiful addition to a home or business. These particular types of countertops tend to be more specialized and personal than other countertop materials yet are known to be very durable, beautiful and functional. Keep in mind, however, that cement countertops do need to be manufactured and installed correctly in order to be effective. There are several important factors to consider if professional results are your goal.
Hire a Professional
The easiest and most obvious way to ensure professional results from your countertop installation is to hire a professional fabricator to do the job. They will have all the proper tools at their disposal as well as years of experience and training that let them complete the installation efficiently and correctly. Professionals will also be able to help you select the best quality cement countertop products and let you know which ideas work and which ones don’t, preventing you from wasting your time and perhaps the cost of materials.
Use the Proper Products
Whether you plan to hire an expert or manufacturer the cement countertops yourself, you want to be sure to opt for high-quality products. While cement countertops can last indefinitely, to make them last longer than those made from other materials, quality cement countertop products are worth the extra money upfront. Concrete countertop materials including the cement mix, as well as the protective countertop coating will be of a better quality, allowing them to last longer than cheaper products. Quality products also tend to not only perform better, but make for easier application and have easier-to-follow instructions, making it simpler for you to do the job yourself.
Pour Slabs Using the Same Batch
To get professional results from your countertop installation, you want to do more than just follow all of the instructions for mixing correctly. You do need to add the ingredients into your mixer in the proper order, but you also want to plan your batches. Aim to use the same batch of concrete mix to fill in any slabs that are right next to each other. If any element of the mixture varies from batch to batch (such as cement color, moisture, or aggregate gradation), it will be noticeable. Don’t worry if your slabs are too big to use the same batch on several. Fill each slab partially with one batch (to the same point) and then pour the other batch on top. This will let you finish with a uniform appearance. Simply remember to stop casting lines, stir the edges of the different batches a bit to help blend them.
For the best results when pouring the countertops yourself, ask some friends to help you so you don’t feel pressed for time and can mix and pour simultaneously.
The Basics of Concrete Stamping for the DIYer
To transform an existing concrete floor, walkway, driveway or patio or some other surface while sticking to a budget, concrete stamping is an excellent solution. Although concrete stamping has been around for years, it remains one of the most popular methods used by do-it-yourselfers to transform what could be potentially dull concrete into something spectacular.
What Is Concrete Stamping?
Concrete stamping is a process used to create a specific texture or pattern in concrete using stamping tools. You can stamp concrete using a variety of tools, including patterned stamps and textured rollers. These tools can create the look of genuine wood, brick, slate, tile, flagstone, cobblestone, and much more. When done right, no one can tell the surface is not a natural material.
Benefits of Concrete Stamping
Concrete stamping offers many benefits, the greatest being the aesthetic transformation.
- Affordability – To have natural materials installed is expensive; stamped concrete can create the same look for a much lower price.
- Strength and Durability – Concrete stamping makes the project stronger and last longer. Therefore, your patio, pool deck, floor, countertop, driveway, sidewalk, pathway, or other surface will last for many more years beyond the original lifespan.
Gorgeous Color
With concrete stamping, you have the opportunity to choose a beautiful base color along with an accent colors. The base color is the primary color of the stamped concrete. Typically, you want to choose a color that coordinates with the project and complements the style of your home. As an example, if you choose a decorative concrete product from Moon Decorative for a Victorian-style home, you might consider a richer color of red or cinnamon.
Keep in mind that you have many exciting options of added color for concrete stamping products from Moon Decorative. This includes acid stains, powder or liquid integral colors, and surface color hardeners, to name a few. With these products, you will enjoy additional benefits dependent on the primary color chosen. For example, if the color comes from a hardener, the concrete surface will be stronger and more resistant to abrasions and other damage.
You can also choose from a wide variety of accent colors to emphasize the texture created by the stamping. In this case, color comes from color release applied to the concrete, which serves two purposes; color release changes the concrete’s color, and it prevents stamps from sticking to the surface.
Manufacturers
Moon Decorative carries the following manufacturers:
- APF
- Artcrete
- B&G
- Brickform
- Chapin
- Concrete Chemicals
- Chemical Products Industries
- Diamond Products
- enCOUNTER
- Engrave-a-Crete
- Euclid
- Eucobar
- Fibernet Synthetic Resources
- Franmar Chemical
- Fritz-Pak
- Granite City Tools
- Interstar
- Kraft Tools
- Merit Pro
- Midwest Rake
- Miracote
- Pacific Concrete Images
- Pearl Abrasive
- Pour-A-Lid
- Proline
- R & L Flowmaster
- Solo
- Solomon Colors
- SP Systems
- SS Specialties
- Stegmeier
- Vaprecision
- Wooster
Acid Staining Tips For Professional Results
For the seasoned professional this advice may be redundant, but perhaps you might pick up just a little bit of information that will help you get even better results.
Tip #1: Acid Stain Coverage Rates. Some manufacturers claim their products should be installed at a specific sq ft rate per gallon. Many porous concrete surfaces would take more stain while tight surfaces would reject it and create an awful puddling look. Acid stain should be applied until the surface is saturated but not puddled. A second spray coat over the reacted first coat is a great way to ensure full coverage and full color deposit.
Tip #2: Acid Resistant Brush. Acid stain is designed to be scrubbed into a concrete surface to help ensure full coverage as well as adequate penetration. If you have been looking for an ‘acid resistant brush’ and have only come up with a 6″ inch tiny plastic one, not to worry. Acid stain only has a small percentage of acid and will not dissolve plastic. So any plastic fiber broom or brush will do the trick. You can even use a red or green floor pad as a way to move around the material and scrub it into the floor.
Tip #3: Using a Cloth Mop. When washing and neutralizing an acid stain finish on a roughened surface it is a good idea to use a cloth mop head. Many wool and yarn mops have tiny hairlike strands of fabric that can get caught on the roughened floor and leave behind a hair like residue on the surface. Not always immediately apparent these hairs will often show up in the sealer and then are impossible to remove or repair. By using a cloth (t-shirt material) mop head you will prevent this from happening.
Tip #4: Sealer Application. After all the hard work of the acid stain finish is done it is time to seal and protect the finish. Many think the thicker the better, but this is rarely the case with a sealant system. Thick sealers tend to leave roller lines (if rolled) take longer to dry thereby increasing the chances for things to get stuck in the finish. As well thick coatings over top of porous surfaces like concrete can cause air bubbling from the off gassing.
Concrete that is heating up expands and blows out and concrete that is cooling off shrinks and breaths in. Try to apply sealers during cooling off time (evening) or keep a consistent temperature. Also if possible, dilute the first coat and apply a starter coat, thin and consistently and preferably with a sprayer. Once you establish a sealed surface you can apply a slightly thicker second or third coat.
Is Your Concrete a Good Candidate for Decorative Floor Stain?
Most people think of concrete floors as being cold, boring, and esthetically unpleasing. Although in some cases this might be true, concrete floors can be stained, giving them a warm and rich appearance.
Decorative floor stains can produce stunning results. This is a cost-efficient method of transforming boring floors, and the process of staining can be done as a do-it-yourself project. In addition to top-rated products, Moon Decorative offers ideas, as well as how-to information and videos.
Methods of Concrete Staining
- Water-Based – As a mixture of pigments and acrylic polymers, this stain fills concrete pores while coating the entire surface. Because this method does not chemically react with concrete, it is referred to as “non-reactive,” which creates more control and color consistency. Any of Moon Decorative’s water-based stains are great, whether choosing something bright like Glacier Blu or something more subtle, like Texas Sand.
- Acid-Based – Acid stain does not coat the floor with color but rather penetrates and chemically reacts with various materials in concrete, such as lime and then develops color over time with a chemical reaction, almost like an instant rusting of the floor. The outcome is color oxides with a more translucent appearance as opposed to opaque. While there are limitations to color, acid stain is still gorgeous, as evident with our Malay Tan and Golden Wheat acid stains that are very popular choices.
Important Considerations
Before starting a concrete stain project, first determine if your floors are a good candidate. If the concrete has never been covered with laminate, hardwood, carpeting, or even paint, staining will be easier. While a floor that has been covered can still be stained, the top material must be removed to reveal a bare, porous concrete floor.
With a bare floor, carefully inspect the concrete for the overall condition. Based on the findings, you would choose the appropriate concrete stain method and product. Some specific things to look for include:
- Prior Acid Cleaning – Concrete floors that have been cleaned with acid cannot be stained with an Acid based stain.
- Sealed Floor – Floors that were sealed during the installation process need to have the sealer removed and then can be stained with most products, however a test area should always be done before any type of stain is applied.
- Glued-Down Surface Material – Whether covered with carpet, laminate, hardwood, or something else, if the material was glued down, only the water-based method will work, understanding that an opaque finish should be chosen to hide surface imperfections and blemishes from the glues.
If your floor is not a great candidate for concrete stains, you can purchase an overlay product from Moon Decorative. After being applied, this product creates a new and thin surface on which any other staining can be done. If you have your heart set on an acid-stained floors but the surface is poor there are a variety of concrete resurfacing materials that accept concrete stain very well.
Concrete Industry Terms
accelerator – admixture used to shorten concrete set time and/or earlier strengths
air entrainment – microscopic air bubbles in the cement paste that allows space for expanding moisture during freeze cycles
bleed water – water that rises to the surface of freshly placed concrete as the aggregate settles
bottom out – to bottom out is making certain that the mat textures every inch of the plastic concrete
calcium chloride – admixture used to accelerate the hydration process, not for colored concrete
chemical stains – muriatic acid based pigments that reacts chemically with the concrete
color hardener – (CH) blend of Portland cement, pigment and silica sand used to color the surface of fresh concrete
crazing – shallow map or pattern cracking caused by sealing in bleed water with steel trowels
fiber – secondary reinforcement serves to control shrink cracks… can be steel, polypropylene, nylon, etc. Our 30,000,000 polyester fibers per pound is excellent
finishing aid – liquid or powder that prevents the rapid evaporation of moisture from the surface; also known as “surface evaporation retardant.” Ask for “Eucobar”
floppy – stamping tool (with joints) that is more flexible, allowing closer imprinting to walls
fly ash – pozolan material used as cement substitute, causes slower set times
franchise – buying territory and paying fees to a parent stamping company for the benefit of their expertise, technology, advertising and name recognition, but it shortens the learning curve
gauge rake – adjustable cams allow for varying depths to accommodate different depths of texture when doing stamped overlays
gloss reducing agent – added to sealer to reduce the amount of shine of stamped concrete
integral color – pigment added to the ready mix truck so that the color is throughout the concrete top to bottom. Use in either fly ash or Portland mixes
metal squeegee – flexible Blue Steel blade used to spread thin overlays
micro topping – silica flour, Portland cement and polymer. Used to stretch a new “canvas” over an unsightly floor. stromectol allegro Can be stained and scored
mix design – specific formula of sand, rock, cement, water and admixtures suited for a particular set of job conditions. Have several to suit different conditions
pH pencil – indicates the acidity/alkalinity level of a slab for subsequent procedures. Water based stains and some sealers are pH sensitive
plastic – concrete that is still plastic is still stampable, not yet hardened
pounder – rubber or steel plate with a handle used to bottom out the stamps
psi – pounds per square inch rating of concrete strength determined by test cylinders breaks
release agent – (RA) substance used in stamping to keep the wet concrete from sticking to the stamps. Can be pigmented powder or Clear Liquid Release – “bubblegum”
retarder – admixture used to slow down the hydration rate to allow more time for stamping. Add on site to implement “step retardation”
S tool – used in detailing fresh stamped work, imparting joints or reducing squeeze
sealer – solvent or liquid base material used to protect and enhance the appearance of stamped concrete
seamless – feather edged texture mats without joints. There are many textures available and in different sized mats
skin – small, thin, jointless texture mat, especially good against walls and step faces
slip resistant polymer – very fine material stirred into the sealer to help increase traction
slump – measurement that indicates the rate of workability of plastic concrete, lower is drier
squeeze – thin ridge of fine paste and release that may form between the texture mats while stamping
stamper – cream of the crop concrete finisher
stencils – used with sprayed or troweled overlays, can be sticky back
step retardation – adding on site to delay the setting time, allowing for a more manageable window. For example: adding retarder to the last half part of the load
super plasticizer – high range water reducer admixture that provides the advantage of workability without the penalty of lower strength and segregation from additional water. Can be added on site by the contractor
water to cement ratio – pounds of water per pounds of cement, lower is better
water based stains – latex or acrylic based pigments can look like acid stains with many more colors available. Best applied with airless or HVLP equipment
wash – a solution of thinner (xylene, toluene, mineral spirits) added to a smaller amount of solvent based sealer with dry RA added for color, applied with a pump up sprayer, airless or brush. Effective for accent stamped areas, coloring individual stones or evening out colors
water reducer – admixture that increases the workability and decreases the amount of water in ready mixed concrete