Concrete Street Signs [Archive]

cava

15th March 2014, 08:32 PM

Many years ago I grew up in Haberfield, NSW. Of particular note is that all the street signs were at the ends of the street blocks, embedded in the pavement. The colours were vibrant reds, with a mica property that sparkled, and bright greens.

Over the years I have struggled to find someone who either knows how to do this, or where to find the correct pigments that went into the colours. I have tried the Ashfield council, concreting associations etc.

Can anyone advise where to get information on this, or is it another skill that has gone the way of the Dodo?

BamBam53

15th March 2014, 10:00 PM

Hi Cava,

I remember those street names in the concrete. I grew up in Abbotsford.

Do not know how the letters were formed but there are a few ways to colour concrete. Red Iron Oxide will give you a dirty red. Red Lead and Cadmiun red will give a brighter red but these are toxic and not widely used now. Back when they did those street names, they were using yellow Lead in road maarking paint so anything is possible. For green you would use Chrome Oxide. For the sparkle they may well have used crushed mica. Coloured mica pigments are now widely used in metallic car finishes.

Michael

cava

15th March 2014, 11:17 PM

Thanks Michael.

Actually you are the only person who remembers them - sad isn't!

OK, the next step is where to get the various pigments/ingredients?

Master Splinter

15th March 2014, 11:39 PM

Aside from various iron oxide colours from a hardware store - http://www.cementaustralia.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/website/packaged-products/home/our-products/colour-your-mix/ - you can also try pottery places for some of the glazes that they use.

If you can't find mica in a cement additives place, you could try paint stores or even some of the DIY makeup stores.