The WerkMaster Scarab from WerkMaster is a new variable speed, five disc hand grinder with a removable stand up handle that is ideal for concrete, stone, terrazzo, hardwood, metal surfaces. It can be used on stairs, countertops, floors, walls, ledges, and tough to reach areas.

The Scarab features a five head system using standard 3-inch polishing pads, sandpaper, diamond abrasives or PCDS for tough coating removal, and can be used either wet or dry. It can be handheld for counter tops, walls, railings or ledges, or by adding the removable handle, on stairs, floors, boat decks, and more. Because of its small size, it is designed to get behind toilets, around plumbing, along bathtub ledges, stair risers, linen closets, and other hard to reach places.

The Scarab can be used on concrete, terrazzo, stone, hardwood, VCT Tile, fiberglass, plastic, metal and virtually any hard surface material.

(866) 373-9375

American Decorative Concrete is currently conducting a nationwide "beta test" of its new Ameripolish SureLock Color System to find out how it performs on real-world concrete.

"What we're seeing in our lab," explains American Decorative Concrete president Les Davis in a press release, "represents a revolution in concrete color. But we know that concrete is not the same from one part of the country to the next, or even from one city block to the next. We want to find out how this system performs on the slabs that concrete polishing contractors actually deal with."

The Ameripolish SureLock Color System is a three-part kit that is engineered to lock in and protect color in polished concrete. The three components of the system are uniquely designed to function together. The three solutions chemically bond to the concrete and to each other to keep color in the slab and protect it from the damaging and diluting effects of moisture, efflorescence, stains, etching agents and ultraviolet exposure.

SureLock Dye ships as a concentrated liquid. Its liquid form eliminates the three-hour wait for dissolving experienced with conventional dyes. The dye is a reactive formula that chemically bonds to the concrete, securing the pigment in the slab. SureLock Dye has demonstrated superior staying power, even when exposed to exterior weather for six months. SureLock Dye includes a penetrating agent mixed into the dye, which cuts steps and save time, and it has demonstrated unusually deep color penetration under microscopic examination.

SureLock Densifier is a proprietary lithium-based densifier/hardener that bonds to both the concrete and SureLock dyes, locking in the color as it closes the slab's pore structure and toughens its surface. It includes UV stabilizers to help protect the color. It is spray-applied and requires no residue removal, saving time and reducing the environmental impact of waste disposal.

SureLock Stain Protector finishing treatment protects the surface and enhances depth and richness of color. It provides an additional application of UV stabilizers, completing the system's UV protection. As a result of all this protection, the SureLock system has demonstrated superior resistance to UV exposure. In addition to its chemical bonding properties, it has proven effective at protecting color from potentially damaging staining and etching agents -- including vinegar.

After the "beta test" results are in, American Decorative Concrete expects a full commercial launch of the product later in 2010.

ChromaScape Inc. has added a new division to its existing family of colorant companies with the recent launch of Innotech Decorative Concrete Products.

Bill Nichols serves as the general manager for the new company. As COO for Bomanite/QC Construction Products, Nichols was responsible for all manufacturing facilities and product quality control, along with training international partners on manufacturing processes. Serving as regional sales manager is Ross Urshan, who served as the Eastern region sales manager at QC for 10 years. Tischa Coffman is marketing and communications manager, a role she held at QC for four years.

Decorative concrete product types that Innotech offers include integral colors, color hardener, release powder, liquid release, chemical stain, liquid dye concentrate, Micro-Topping EXT, and a wide range of cures, sealer, accessories and maintenance products. Additional products are currently being developed.

Established in 1998, ChromaScape Inc. is recognized as one of the top producers of aqueous color dispersions.

(877) 829-7880

Tommy Cook, of Absolute ConcreteWorks, based in Poulsbo, Wash., has turned over his shares of ACW, to his co-founding partners Steve and Tina Silberman. Details of the transfer were not disclosed.

The Silbermans, along with their team of craftsmen and artists at the award-winning company, will continue with business as usual, and Cook will consult on more intricate projects as needed.

Cook has also launched a new decorative concrete training company, CM Services LLC. He has begun traveling the United States with Collette, his girlfriend, partner and co-founder, and their German shepherd, John. CM's services include art training, GFRC and wet-cast training, custom mold fabrication training and other services related to precast concrete. Cook and Collette plan to travel for the next two to 10 years, funding their journey with training and consulting. They also intend to write stories about the concrete artists they visit. Their slogan? "We train at your shop with your tools and your products, and then you know how it will work for you."

(206) 349-6403

The U.S. Green Concrete Council has unveiled its new book, "The Sustainable Concrete Guide – Strategies and Examples."

The first-ever comprehensive resource on concrete and sustainability, the book provides insight on specific strategies for the best use of concrete in high-performance, long-lasting green buildings. Included in the guide are case studies, technical data and references, and numerous practices that can be implemented immediately.

The guide is divided into three parts. Part 1 of the guide includes information on "Concrete Basics for Sustainability," which outlines the uses of concrete as the most widely used building material in the world. Part 2 of the guide is titled "Considerations for Best Use of Concrete for Sustainable Structures," and it contains 11 chapters on specific uses of concrete for sustainable structures.

Part 3 of the guide, titled "Beyond Sustainable Rating Systems: Project Profiles," features 12 construction projects from throughout the United States, all of which utilized sustainable concrete practices and techniques. Included are profiles of three specific types of structures: parking structures and parking lots; single-family and multifamily residential structures; and commercial, institutional and industrial structures.

The book is authored by Andrea J. Schokker, head of the civil engineering department at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

"The Sustainable Concrete Guide – Strategies and Examples" is the first in a series of sustainable concrete guides to be published by USGCC, which is part of a wholly owned subsidiary of the American Concrete Institute.

The Quikrete Cos. has released a range of new products for both commercial and residential applications. These products include several new concrete sealers with multiple finish options and a versatile concrete repair compound.

Quikrete's new line of low-VOC waterproofing sealers offers a reliable, durable finish for a variety of surfaces. The sealers can be used to achieve a number of finishes such as natural, wet-look or high-gloss. Available in one- or five-gallon jugs, the new sealers offer highly water-resistant coatings that protect the surface from freeze-thaw cycles. Once in place, the sealers require no maintenance or upkeep other than routine cleaning. The new sealers are: Quikrete Waterproofing Sealer -- Natural, Quikrete Wet Look Sealer -- High Gloss, and Quikrete Acrylic Concrete Cure & Seal -- Satin Finish.

For a durable yet flexible concrete repair, Quikrete Patching Compound is a ready-to-apply acrylic putty that makes short work of cosmetic blemishes on most concrete, masonry and stucco surfaces. Available in a 1-quart pail, the Quikrete Patching Compound is ideal for repairs to common surfaces, including overlays, stairs, wall joints, driveways, smaller nonstructural cracks, and spalling of less than 1/4 inch thick. Once dry, the compound provides a tough and durable finish.

Finally, the latest addition to the HardScapes by Quikrete line is a high-performance polymeric jointing sand graded specially for sweeping into paving stone joints, including interlocking pavers, bricks, patio blocks and concrete slabs up to 2 inches wide. It's for use in both commercial and residential applications. Once placed and dampened, the nonstaining sand hardens to lock pavers in place, providing a stable surface that is resistant to erosion, weed growth and insects while remaining pliable for freeze-thaw cycles.

(800) 282-5828

Ultra Concrete Coatings is now offering Ultracrete-TX1000 multipurpose decorative texturing overlay and Ultracrete-REL, a liquid release agent.

Ultracrete-TX1000 is not a traditional system, as it does not require a bond or primer coat and can installed using a variety of texturing methods. Ultracrete-TX1000 is also excellent for a stamped overlay as it retains the details of the texturing stamp, providing a more realistic stone look. The overlay is mixed with water only and requires no bond or primer coat.

Ultracrete-REL is a colorless bond breaker for use when stamping with texturing mats. It is concentrated to work with the high polymer levels of Ultracrete-TX1000 and has a pleasant bubble gum scent.

Sakrete has partnered with TXI, a Sakrete licensee and leading producer of building materials in Texas, to market its Maximizer brand of lightweight, high-yield concrete mix.

As part of this agreement, Sakrete will co-brand Maximizer concrete mix and promote it in the eastern United States. Sakrete Maximizer is a high-yield, high-strength concrete mix that provides 67 percent more coverage than conventional concrete mixes with an equal weight of material. Sakrete Maximizer features a uniform mix, making it easier to mix and apply. It reaches an ultimate compressive strength of 5,500 psi.

(800) 738-1621

The Concrete Countertop Institute has developed easy-to-use software for creating high-performance, from-scratch concrete countertop mixes.

Two mix formulas are provided, one all-sand mix excellent for hand-packed or variegated looks and one gravel-based mix designed to be highly flowable and perfect for vibration and a uniform surface appearance. The software automatically calculates exactly how much of each ingredient is needed, including pozzolans, pigments and decorative glass, and produces a printable batch report for use while mixing. Sample colors are also included.

These mixes were tested by an independent testing lab and found to achieve compressive strengths of more than 4,000 psi in one day, 6,200 psi in three days, and 8,200 psi in seven days.

Jeffrey Girard, P.E., president of the Concrete Countertop Institute, designed the mixes and wrote the software. "These are the mixes I developed when I first started making concrete countertops, so they have 10 years of success behind them," he says in a CCI news release. "I have been teaching these mix formulas to my students for years, but this is the first time that CCI has offered them outside of our hands-on classes."

The package consists of the software, a user's guide for the software, and a 34-page textbook explaining important fundamentals of concrete, such as water/cement ratio, how pozzolans work and how concrete cures, as well as offering a troubleshooting guide.

(888) 386-7711