Renovation of a 20 year old stamp on a University Campus

Red Square at Olivet Nazarene University

Challenge: A European fan cobblestone stamp, originally installed in 1984. Due to wear, accentuated by freeze-thaw damage, salt damage, cracks, and numerous additions of powder dyes and other coatings, this 16,000 SF plaza was in dire need of a cosmetic face lift.



Solution: Repair all cracks and spalled areas; apply Spray-Top® in basic color, antique as needed with liquid release and antiquing color agents, and seal with a two component acrylic urethane, adding No. 80 aluminum oxide for slip resistance.

A sample area was created for effect and color approval. The sample met with overwhelming approval.

The entire plaza was pressure washed, acid etched, and neutralized with ammonia. Since most of the texture was still in decent shape, it was decided to repair the cracks with polymer modified thin cementitious coatings, as well as to repair and hand texture spalled and chipped areas. There was extensive damage at the control joints from snow plows and topical moisture migration.



Once all repairs were concluded, the revolutionary "Portland paint" called Spray-Top® was applied, using the recommended application tools. The weather was in favor of the applicator, and within an hour of application, a diluted application of urethane was applied as a primary sealer. Following this application, antiquing color agents were mixed into a liquid release agent, and applied by pump-up sprayers to the newly re-colored stamped surface. The release meandered as expected, and highlighted dips and crevasses found in the stamped texture.

Once coloring was complete, a full two coats of Acrylic Urethane was applied by airless sprayer. The first coat was used to broadcast the aluminum oxide, and the final coat (diluted by 20% with acetone) was applied to "sandwich" the aluminum oxide granule between coatings.

The results exceeded the expectations of the University staff, and resulted in numerous other jobs on site.

Contractor: Pied Piper Construction, LLC
Location: Bourbonnais, IL
Crew Size: 6
Duration: 14 days
Job cost: $ 56,750