Fishstone

Check out our new Fishstone Mix Calculator! Quickly choose your mix, enter your project size, and get both your single-batch recipe and total material requirements in seconds.

Less guesswork. Less math. Better planning.

Stop Guessing Your Concrete Mix | Fishstone Mix Calculator Walkthrough Learn how to use the Fishstone Concrete Mix Calculator to quickly c...

We’ve been working on this one for quite a while and it’s finally ready.

TruCast SiX is our new ultra-performance powdered admixture and the replacement for Super-Six.

Rather than simply renaming Super-Six, the formulation was completely reworked. TruCast SiX is designed for self-consolidating, high-performance concrete with improved flow, particle packing, surface quality and consistency.

It can be used for GFRC, ECC, UHPC-style mixes, SCC, concrete countertops, furniture and architectural concrete.

For those of you who have been using Super-Six, one important change is the dosage. TruCast SiX is typically used at about 20% of Portland cement weight, compared with approximately 5% for Super-Six, so it is not a pound-for-pound replacement.

We’ve also put together new mix recommendations to make the transition easier.

Take a look at TruCast SiX and the new MixRecipe page on our website.

https://concretecountertopsupply.com/trucast-six-admix

Our latest blog explores how post-tensioning could help create longer, thinner architectural concrete while reducing sagging and improving structural performance. Take a look—we'd love to hear your ideas and feedback. https://concretecountertopsupply.com/concrete-countertop-decorative-concrete-resource-center/posttensioning-longspan-architectural-concrete/

Can concrete be made without silica sand?

While traditional silica sand remains one of the most proven and widely used aggregates in the industry, growing interest in recycled materials and alternative mix designs has prompted researchers and fabricators to explore new possibilities.

In our latest article, we take a balanced look at silica-reduced concrete, recycled glass aggregate, ground-glass pozzolans, ASR considerations, and the real-world pros and cons of these emerging materials.

Read the full article here:
https://concretecountertopsupply.com/concrete-countertop-decorative-concrete-resource-center/silicafree-concrete-is-it-possible-exploring-safer-alternatives-for-decorative-concrete/

Understanding Modern Concrete Mixes: 20 Years of Evolution from Traditional Concrete to UHPC https://concretecountertopsupply.com/concrete-countertop-decorative-concrete-resource-center/understanding-modern-concrete-mixes-20-years-of-evolution-from-traditional-concrete-to-uhpc/

The Science Behind Ultra-Dense Concrete.

https://concretecountertopsupply.com/concrete-countertop-decorative-concrete-resource-center/the-science-behind-ultradense-concrete/

The Collomix XO mixer line has officially been discontinued and replaced by the new and improved XQ series — and we’ve now fully transitioned over to the next generation platform.

The XQ line was introduced about a year ago, and after seeing the improvements firsthand, we’re excited to now be 100% focused on the new XQ models moving forward.

Fishstone has proudly carried Collomix mixers for over a decade because they’ve consistently delivered:
✔ Excellent build quality
✔ Reliable performance
✔ Great warranty and service
✔ Professional-grade mixing power

So what’s new with the XQ line?

🔹 MATERIAL-SPECIFIC PADDLES
Unlike the older XO mixers, the new XQ mixers do NOT include a mixing paddle.

That’s intentional.

Different materials require different paddle designs, so the XQ system allows users to choose the ideal paddle for exactly what they’re mixing:
✔ GFRC
✔ UHPC
✔ Mortars
✔ Self-levelers
✔ Epoxies
✔ Concrete mixes and more

🔹 NEW HEXAFIX QUICK-CHANGE SYSTEM
The new Hexafix connection system allows for:
✔ Fast paddle changes
✔ Easier cleaning
✔ Quicker transport and storage
✔ One motor paired with multiple paddle styles

🔹 ADVANCED DIGITAL ELECTRONICS (XQ4 & XQ6)
One of the biggest upgrades is the new electronic control system featured on the XQ4 and XQ6 mixers.

These models now include:
✔ Digital RPM display
✔ Precise electronic speed adjustment
✔ Built-in digital timer

For high-performance concrete mixes, consistency matters. Being able to repeat the same mixing speed and mixing time from batch to batch helps improve repeatability and overall mix quality.

And it’s not just handheld mixers — Collomix also produces some of the best vertical shaft pan mixers available, ideal for ultra high-performance and high-performance concrete mixes where thorough, consistent mixing is critical.

Check out the new XQ lineup here:
👉 Fishstone Collomix XQ Mixershttps://concretecountertopsupply.com/collomix-xq-handleld-mixers/

BIG NEWS — WE MOVED!

Fishstone is proud to announce that we’ve officially moved into our brand new 30,000 sq ft concrete tilt-up facility in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.

This new building was designed from the ground up to help us better serve the decorative concrete industry with expanded inventory, improved shipping, product development, training space, and future growth.

What started as a passion for high-performance concrete has grown into something much bigger — and we’re just getting started.

We’ll also be sharing photos and videos from the entire building process soon, including behind-the-scenes shots of the tilt-up construction and the journey from empty site to finished facility.

Thank you to all of our customers, friends, and supporters who helped make this possible.

New Location:
Elkhorn, WI 53121

More products. More innovation. More concrete.

The Problem With Most “Matte” Concrete Sealers

If you’ve ever tried to achieve a true matte finish on a concrete countertop, you’ve probably run into one of these problems:

The surface still looks shiny
The sealer clouds or hazes
It scratches easily
It fails around sinks or high-use areas
That’s because most sealers marketed as “matte” aren’t designed specifically for high-performance countertop applications.

What a True Matte Concrete Sealer Should Do
A real matte sealer isn’t just about appearance—it’s about performance.

It should:

Maintain a low-sheen, natural look
Provide strong stain resistance
Hold up to water, oils, and daily use
Avoid peeling or delamination
Apply evenly without blotching
If it can’t do all of that, it’s not a true countertop sealer.

Why Matte Sealers Fail on Concrete Countertops
Concrete is not like wood or tile. It’s porous, variable, and reactive.

Common failure points:

Poor pe*******on or bonding
Moisture trapped under the coating
Incompatible chemistry (especially cheap acrylics)
Weak abrasion resistance
This is why many “off-the-shelf” sealers fail quickly in kitchens.

The Better Approach: Hybrid Sealer Systems
Hybrid systems—especially acrylic/urethane blends—offer a balance of:

Flexibility (to move with concrete)
Durability (urethane strength)
Workability (easier application than pure urethanes)
This combination is what allows you to get:
? A true matte finish
? Without sacrificing performance

Where U-SEAL Fits In
U-SEAL is a 2-part hybrid acrylic/urethane system designed specifically for concrete countertops.

It’s built to:

Deliver a consistent matte to satin finish
Resist staining in real kitchen environments
Apply smoothly without heavy buildup
Maintain long-term durability
Unlike many sealers, it’s engineered for both aesthetics and performance, not just one or the other.

U-Seal

When Matte Is the Right Choice
A matte finish works best when you want:

A modern, natural look
Minimal glare under lighting
A surface that hides minor imperfections better
It’s especially popular for:

Contemporary kitchens
Commercial spaces
Large format concrete slabs
Final Thoughts
Getting a true matte finish on concrete countertops isn’t about just picking a “low sheen” product—it’s about choosing a system that actually performs under real conditions.

If the sealer can’t handle water, wear, and daily use, the finish won’t matter.

? Looking for a matte concrete sealer that actually holds up?
Check out U-SEAL and see how it performs in real-world applications.

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