The Rock-N-Roller is an innovative, quick and inexpensive way to create decorative concrete patterns. The following are some questions and answers that might help you understand more about the product. If you have further questions or want to place an order, please contact us at 1-800-253-3676 or 816-233-4840 for a distributor near you...
1. Can you use the rollers on stamped overlay?
2. How much do they weigh?
3. What tools will you need to complete a decorative concrete project?
4. What is the life expectancy of the rollers?
5. What do you use to clean the roller?
6. How do you keep the roller straight?
7. What keeps the concrete from sticking to the roller?
8. Can you use powder release?
9. Can you use color hardener?
10. How durable is the roller?
11. Is there more than one pattern?
12. Can you make special or custom patterns?
13. How do you keep from putting footprints into the concrete?
14. Does the pattern look repetitive?
15. Will I need to touch-up and how can I?
16. How do I touch-up in the middle?
17. Are the roller patterns interchangeable?
18. What are the sprayers on the roller for?
19. When do I know when the concrete is ready?
20. Can the concrete be too wet?
21. Can the concrete be too hard?
22. What do I do if the roller is not leaving a pattern?
23. What are the weights for?
24. How do I roll the pattern against or up to a wall? Alternatively, what if I cannot roll straight across the pour?
25. What are the mats used for?
26. What is the difference between a texture mat and a, flex mat? What are their purposes?
27. How do I get the antique look when using clear liquid release?
28. Do you need liquid release when using powder release?
29. What are the touch-up rollers that correspond to the roller patterns?
1. Can you use the rollers on stamped overlay?
This product lends itself very nicely to stamped overlay. It is best used when applied to overlay that is at least 3/8 to 1/2 in. thick. Some patterns lend themselves to overlay better than others, such as the Royal and Pathway Slate.
2. How much do they weigh?
The 3ft. texture roller weighs approximately 30 lbs.
The 1ft. border roller weighs approximately 14 lbs.
The 24 texture Rollers weigh approximately 20 lbs.
3. What tools will you need to complete a decorative concrete project?
Depending on your project, you can use a 3ft. decorative roller, a 24 light or deep texture roller, a 9 texture roller a 12 border roller, 2 mats, 1 flex, 1 touch-up roller, pump up sprayer and release agent.
4. What is the life expectancy of the rollers?
With care and cleaning, they can be used on countless decorative pours.
5. What do you use to clean the roller?
The roller will remain clean with the use of Liquid Release. To remove Powder Release use a water brush and water.
6. How do you keep the roller straight?
Before attempting the first pass with the roller, a straight line must be put into the concrete. Putting the edge of the roller on this line and following it will maintain a straight and even pattern throughout the pour. When you re-set the roller, you should put the grout line in the previously made grout line. Maintain concentration on the side with the line, trying to keep the roller straight, not the poles. The more handles that are used the harder the roller is to control. Try to use fewer handles until you get the hang of the roller.
7. What keeps the concrete from sticking to the roller?
Using a release agent allows the roller to move over the concrete imprinting the design. Liquid or powder release can be used.
8. Can you use powder release?
Powder release can be used with the Rock N Roller. Powder release will build up on the roller after multiple passes. It is best used if the excess is tapped or dusted off every other pass.
9. Can you use color hardener?
Color hardener can easily be used with the Rock N Roller. Follow the instructions provided with the color hardener and the roller will be very effective.
10. How durable is the roller?
The Rock N Roller is very resistant to dropping and throwing, however the frame can be bent with excessive force and the roller can be punctured with sharp objects.
11. Is there more than one pattern?
Seven patterns are available, and all have a matching border pattern or 9 texture touchup roller.
12. Can you make special or custom patterns?
Due to the extreme cost of constructing molds, we do not currently offer specially designed patterns.
13. How do you keep from putting footprints into the concrete?
With difficult layouts, being on top of concrete may be necessary. The user will have to fill in and trowel out any marks left. Using the texture mats, and touch-up rollers you can fill in any missed space.
14. Does the pattern look repetitive?
Patterns on the roller are specifically designed to blend in and let the pattern flow with a natural look.
15. Will I need to touch-up and how can I?
Touch-up is inevitable with all decorative concrete applications. Using the correct tools will make the job easier and look better. Hard to reach places and tight corners are the most common areas where the Flex Mat and touch-up tool will be applied. Decorative chisels are used when the concrete is firmer and when more pressure is needed to touch-up joint lines and stair steps. Utilizing the touch-up wheel and the texture roller, you can free hand your pattern in the most difficult of places. Before using the mats or texture roller, apply a release agent to keep the concrete from sticking. Then, place it on the concrete and lightly tap or roll for desired results.
16. How do I touch-up in the middle?
Depending on what needs to be fixed, you may utilize two different methods. The first method can be used while the concrete is thumb pressure hard. Using the touch-up roller on a long handle you can reach out to correct any grout lines. If the handle does not reach, you can lay the texture mats down and walk your way out onto the concrete. To do this you will need two texture mats. By placing one in front of the other, you are able to walk on top of the textured concrete. Once you are at the problem area, you can use the mat or texture roller to touch it up. The texture roller will only leave texture. You put the grout lines in with the touch-up tool. Getting on the concrete while still soft will affect your pattern, now you will have your touch-up to do in the middle and the spots you made to get there.
The second method is to let the concrete cure for a 3-5 days and come back and walk the slab looking for any imperfections. Using a 4-inch grinder equipped with a diamond blade, you can grind out any imperfections.
17. Are the roller patterns interchangeable?
No. The Rock N Roller is built as one solid unit. This provides a sturdy platform to apply the texture to the concrete and to allow optimum control.
18. What are the sprayers on the roller for?
The spray nozzles allow you to apply liquid release. With the addition of a Back Pack Sprayer and coil hose you are able to spray liquid release in front of the Rock N Roller. The sprayers are best utilized over a long distance and on windy days. Your current hand held pump up sprayers are great for this application as well.
19. When do I know when the concrete is ready?
There are many variables to keep into account when deciding if the concrete is ready to be rolled. When estimating concrete setup time take into consideration the temperature, wind, slump, the use of retardants and/or evaporation retardants, accelerators, and color hardeners. In ideal conditions with the use of integral color, the concrete consistency should be just a little too wet to broom. This is the best time to use the 36 in. texture roller; the border roller can be used earlier since it is lighter. When you are done with the pour, you should still be able to push your finger to the bottom of the pad. If the concrete is setup, enough to use mats the concrete is too firm.
20. Can the concrete be too wet?
The concrete can be too soft to support the Rock N Roller. This can easily be determined by placing the Rock N Roller onto the concrete and begin to roll. If the concrete is still too wet, the Rock N Roller will sink and leave an impression too deep. When this occurs, simply re-float the area and give the pour a little more time to setup.
21. Can the concrete be too hard?
The concrete can setup on you and you can lose the pour. DO NOT wait until the concrete is hard enough to walk on. Plan to for sun, wind, and concrete consistency to prevent loosing the pour.
22. What do I do if the roller is not leaving a pattern?
When the Rock N Roller is not leaving a pattern, the concrete might be harder in one area compared to another. The Rock N Roller is equipped with two 4-pound weights, which allow you to use the roller in different consistencies of concrete. As the pattern begins to fade, add weights to the roller. This will deepen the imprint of the pattern when the concrete has begun to set up. Setting the weights at different heights on the bars puts more pressure on the roller, much like a lever would. When confronted with a cold joint the weights can be applied to one side and not the other. This will put more pressure on the side with hard concrete and enable the Rock N Roller to float on the soft side.
23. What are the weights for?
The weights open the window of opportunity to decorate the concrete. You can begin rolling your pattern while the concrete is still soft and, as the concrete gets firmer; the use of the weights will keep a consistent pattern.
24. How do I roll the pattern against or up to a wall? Alternatively, what if I cannot roll straight across the pour?
When using the roller on a pour with three open sides and the fourth against a wall, it is best to roll the pattern parallel to the wall. Measure off the wall to put a straight line to follow, and then begin your pattern from the straight line. Be sure to leave a space of smooth concrete next to the wall. After rolling the rest of the concrete, use the texture skins and touch-up roller to apply texture and pattern along the wall. If it occurs, where the job has two or three sides against a wall you will need a person on the concrete to roll to. A good way to get onto the concrete is by using pieces of foam to stand on. If possible, you can use a bridge over the pour. After someone is on the concrete, roll the Rock N Roller to the other side where this person can pick the roller up and reset the roller for the come back pass. Once the pattern is rolled into the pad the person in the concrete floats out the marks they made as they walk back off the slab. After the concrete has firmed up to where mats can be applied, you apply the mats in the area that was left unfinished, touching up any area along the wall.
25. What are the mats used for?
The mats are used in places that the roller missed or cannot reach. These areas are usually along a wall, and around any obstructions. The texture and flex mats are both the same width as the roller. This allows you to continue your pattern uninterrupted along a wall.
26. What is the difference between a texture mat and a, flex mat? What are their purposes?
Texture Mat: these mats have both texture and the pattern of the Rock N Roller. The texture mat is the same width as the 36 rollers. They are made out of thick durable polyurethane plastic, allowing you to use a tamper to press the pattern in the concrete.
Flex Mat: The flex mat is the same as the texture mat except for the thickness and pliability. These mats are best used in tight places and any situation where you need to bend the mat. The 9 texture roller allows you to put texture into hard to reach areas. With the combination of the touch-up roller, you can free hand designs and patterns anywhere on your pour.
27. How do I get the antique look when using clear liquid release?
There are two ways to accomplish the antique look. Imprint the concrete with the Rock N Roller and do any touch-up needed. Let the concrete cure for 3-5 days. Come back and power-wash the concrete off and let it dry. Then, with an airless paint sprayer or pump up sprayer apply a mixture of sealant and powder release agent. The sealant mixture is made by mixing in 1-2 cups of color powder release into 5 gallons of an acrylic sealer. Depending on the shade, you are looking for; adjust the mixture to meet your demands. Apply two coats of sealer to the concrete. The second technique is as follows. After using the Rock N Roller to apply your textured pattern into the concrete you spray a mixture of colored powder release with clear liquid release. The mixture is made up of about one cup of color powder release to three gallons of clear liquid release. Mix the two release agents in a clean dry bucket and filter into a regular pump sprayer. Simply apply the release mixture to the desired area and leave it alone until you prep the area for sealing. This technique allows the colored liquid to settle in the cracks and low areas highlighting the texture of the pattern.
28. Do you need liquid release when using powder release?
No. Liquid release and powder release do the same job in different forms. Both release agents provide a preventative barrier to keep concrete from sticking to the Rock N Roller. Both ways can be used with success, however with the powder release excess will build up and needs to be tapped off after a couple passes. Liquid release is a cleaner easier way to imprint concrete, and keeps the roller clean and protected for future use. Powder release is applied when broadcasted on the concrete and can stain surrounding items very easily.
29. What are the touch-up rollers that correspond to the roller patterns?
The touch-up rollers that correspond are as follows:
RR100 Running Bond Brick RR567- 3/8 Sanded
RR120 Cobblestone RR565 - Ό Round Face
RR130 Ashlar Slate RR565 - Ό Round Face
RR140 Royal Slate RR566 - 3/16 Flat Face
RR150 Pathway Slate RR566 - 3/16 Flat Face
Cleform Tool Corporation
4343 Easton Road
St. Joseph, MO 64503
E-mail:
sales@cleform.com
Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm CST
Phone: 800.253.3676 (800-CLEFORM)
Fax: 888.253.3676 (888-CLEFORM)
