APA Open Community

I sure would appreciate some guidance if there is any solution for this which I am beginning to doubt.
These are 12x12 concrete Pavers. We have tried sealing them with a water sealer, double masking and still bleeds! Is there a solution to this?
Happy Friday BTW

------------------------------
LauraJean Farrar
Production Manager
Rainbow Engraving
Tampa, FL 33619
813-685-0792
------------------------------

Hi Laura,

Did you sand blast some depth into the engraving? 
We use this stencil from 3m:
https://www.amazon.com/3M-Sandblast-Stencil-Hand-Cut-Splice/dp/B00ODP752E/ref=sr_1_2?crid=DT9PRU98GM3W&keywords=sandblast+stencil+3m&qid=1654890990&sprefix=sandblast+stencil+3m%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-2 

We start by scrubbing the bricks with water to get all particles off.  Let it dry overnight.  Create a solution of elmers glue and water using 1 part to 1 part.  Paint that solution on and let it dry.  Cut the mask to the size of the brick and use a rubber mallet to pound it onto the brick so it's sticking in all areas very well.  Laser cut through the mask, peel the letters that have mask in them such as taking out the middle of the "o", "a" "p" etc.  Use a pressure pot sand blaster to blast some depth into the letters.  Then paint and let dry using monument paint if the bricks will be outside.  We use Miles Supply Stone Paint for this on exterior applications. We usually let the paint dry overnight and then peel the mask.  Sometimes there will still be slight bleed but this is easily cleaned up if you've engraved the brick deep enough using  a  q tip and acetone.  They come out looking beautiful.  Lot's of  time and work so charge accordingly.

------------------------------
Mike Westbrook
Owner
Mile High Laser Engraving
Denver, CO
720-930-4667
info@milehighlaserengraving.com
www.milehighlaserengraving.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-10-2022 14:29
From: Laura Jean Farrar
Subject: Paint Filling Concrete Stepping Stones

I sure would appreciate some guidance if there is any solution for this which I am beginning to doubt.
These are 12x12 concrete Pavers. We have tried sealing them with a water sealer, double masking and still bleeds! Is there a solution to this?
Happy Friday BTW

------------------------------
LauraJean Farrar
Production Manager
Rainbow Engraving
Tampa, FL 33619
813-685-0792
------------------------------

Good morning Mike, Happy Monday!
We simply used vinyl, laser engraved and then sand blast for the depth. We would use an oil base exterior paint.
Your tips sound great. Laborious but if the end result makes the customer happy with the finished product that is what we want. I do believe that what I currently charge would not be apropos. Looking forward to trying this.
Thank you for taking the time to respond!

------------------------------
LauraJean Farrar
Production Manager
Rainbow Engraving
Tampa, FL 33619
813-685-0792
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-10-2022 16:06
From: Mike Westbrook
Subject: Paint Filling Concrete Stepping Stones

Hi Laura,

Did you sand blast some depth into the engraving? 
We use this stencil from 3m:
https://www.amazon.com/3M-Sandblast-Stencil-Hand-Cut-Splice/dp/B00ODP752E/ref=sr_1_2?crid=DT9PRU98GM3W&keywords=sandblast+stencil+3m&qid=1654890990&sprefix=sandblast+stencil+3m%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-2 

We start by scrubbing the bricks with water to get all particles off.  Let it dry overnight.  Create a solution of elmers glue and water using 1 part to 1 part.  Paint that solution on and let it dry.  Cut the mask to the size of the brick and use a rubber mallet to pound it onto the brick so it's sticking in all areas very well.  Laser cut through the mask, peel the letters that have mask in them such as taking out the middle of the "o", "a" "p" etc.  Use a pressure pot sand blaster to blast some depth into the letters.  Then paint and let dry using monument paint if the bricks will be outside.  We use Miles Supply Stone Paint for this on exterior applications. We usually let the paint dry overnight and then peel the mask.  Sometimes there will still be slight bleed but this is easily cleaned up if you've engraved the brick deep enough using  a  q tip and acetone.  They come out looking beautiful.  Lot's of  time and work so charge accordingly.

------------------------------
Mike Westbrook
Owner
Mile High Laser Engraving
Denver, CO
720-930-4667
info@milehighlaserengraving.com
www.milehighlaserengraving.com

Original Message:
Sent: 06-10-2022 14:29
From: Laura Jean Farrar
Subject: Paint Filling Concrete Stepping Stones

I sure would appreciate some guidance if there is any solution for this which I am beginning to doubt.
These are 12x12 concrete Pavers. We have tried sealing them with a water sealer, double masking and still bleeds! Is there a solution to this?
Happy Friday BTW

------------------------------
LauraJean Farrar
Production Manager
Rainbow Engraving
Tampa, FL 33619
813-685-0792
------------------------------

I have to agree with Mike, we find getting the paver as clean as possible is critical.  We place the masking material on then we use a blow dryer to almost suck it to all the nooks and crannies. Either way is labor intensive and needs to be considered when you have a large job. Let us know how is goes!!!

------------------------------
Megan Raymond
Owner, Raymond's Trophy & Awards
Bakersfield, CA
661-323-4015
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-13-2022 08:01
From: Laura Jean Farrar
Subject: Paint Filling Concrete Stepping Stones

Good morning Mike, Happy Monday!
We simply used vinyl, laser engraved and then sand blast for the depth. We would use an oil base exterior paint.
Your tips sound great. Laborious but if the end result makes the customer happy with the finished product that is what we want. I do believe that what I currently charge would not be apropos. Looking forward to trying this.
Thank you for taking the time to respond!

------------------------------
LauraJean Farrar
Production Manager
Rainbow Engraving
Tampa, FL 33619
813-685-0792

Original Message:
Sent: 06-10-2022 16:06
From: Mike Westbrook
Subject: Paint Filling Concrete Stepping Stones

Hi Laura,

Did you sand blast some depth into the engraving? 
We use this stencil from 3m:
https://www.amazon.com/3M-Sandblast-Stencil-Hand-Cut-Splice/dp/B00ODP752E/ref=sr_1_2?crid=DT9PRU98GM3W&keywords=sandblast+stencil+3m&qid=1654890990&sprefix=sandblast+stencil+3m%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-2 

We start by scrubbing the bricks with water to get all particles off.  Let it dry overnight.  Create a solution of elmers glue and water using 1 part to 1 part.  Paint that solution on and let it dry.  Cut the mask to the size of the brick and use a rubber mallet to pound it onto the brick so it's sticking in all areas very well.  Laser cut through the mask, peel the letters that have mask in them such as taking out the middle of the "o", "a" "p" etc.  Use a pressure pot sand blaster to blast some depth into the letters.  Then paint and let dry using monument paint if the bricks will be outside.  We use Miles Supply Stone Paint for this on exterior applications. We usually let the paint dry overnight and then peel the mask.  Sometimes there will still be slight bleed but this is easily cleaned up if you've engraved the brick deep enough using  a  q tip and acetone.  They come out looking beautiful.  Lot's of  time and work so charge accordingly.

------------------------------
Mike Westbrook
Owner
Mile High Laser Engraving
Denver, CO
720-930-4667
info@milehighlaserengraving.com
www.milehighlaserengraving.com

Original Message:
Sent: 06-10-2022 14:29
From: Laura Jean Farrar
Subject: Paint Filling Concrete Stepping Stones

I sure would appreciate some guidance if there is any solution for this which I am beginning to doubt.
These are 12x12 concrete Pavers. We have tried sealing them with a water sealer, double masking and still bleeds! Is there a solution to this?
Happy Friday BTW

------------------------------
LauraJean Farrar
Production Manager
Rainbow Engraving
Tampa, FL 33619
813-685-0792
------------------------------