Slippery Rock Gazette

Peter J. Marcucci

Special Contributor

Aside from a few tried and true products we’ve featured here in the past, this year’s faves also include a few new offerings. For example, one new product is the RAM Board. Braxton-Bragg has offered protective installation and countertop film for some time, but Ram Board is a more durable product to protect customer’s countertops, floors from general damage during installation. Another new product is the Cooktop Bag. This simple new invention for keeping cabinets safe and clean is also a great time saver for the installation professional. Here’s the Slippery Rock’s review of these recommended products. Read on and find out how these go-to installation faves will help keep your work on track.

Akemi Nano Effect Stain Repellent

The big advantage of Nano Particle technology in Akemi Nano Effect Stain Repellent is that it penetrates deeper, wipes off easier and won’t change the color of any natural stone, even when using two coats for maximum benefit. Simply clean the stone, dry completely and apply. The stone still breathes while fully resisting oil- or water-based compounds for superior protection. Low-odor and certified food safe, Akemi Nano Effect Stain Repellent is a proven performer, and a go-to product that you can confidently recommend as after-the-sale protection. Akemi Nano Effect is available in one-liter and five-liter cans and 55-gallon drums.  

Akemi Nano Effect resists both oil- and water-based compounds for superior protection.	Stone Shield Color Enhancer & Sealer contains a UV-inhibitor to prevent fading from sun exposure.	The Cooktop Bag is a handy and efficient tool to manage debris on the jobsite – fits 30- to 36-inch cutouts.

Stone Shield Color Enhancer & Sealer

Stone Shield Color Enhancer & Sealer is made for Braxton-Bragg by InnoChem, the same company that makes K-Bond products. It works great on restoring sun damaged material, materials that need help to match a slightly different dye lot, or matching finished edges to surface. Stone Shield Color Enhancer & Sealer also features an ultraviolet inhibitor additive to prevent it from fading from exposure to sunlight. Less expensive than most other sealers, it’s available in half pints and quarts.

Cooktop Bag

Fabricators! Tired of cleaning up cabinets after removing corner material from sink and cooktop installations? All installers know that dust and chips make a mess of a jobsite, and granite chunks can even damage cabinet floors.

Enter the Cooktop Bag: a new invention designed to catch debris during installation. Cooktop Bags are plastic and self adhesive, and when placed in the cabinet opening before installation, will catch every bit of dust and fragments. When finished, simply remove the bag, tie and throw away. Cooktop Bags fit 30- to 36-inch cutouts and come 25 bags per roll. So why get on your hands and knees with a vacuum to clean up a mess that could have been avoided, when you can pull a Cooktop Bag from your install gear, stick it in place and save time on cleanup? And time saved is money earned.

Ram Board 

Ram Board is a heavy-duty temporary protection material that’s been used in the concrete trade for many years. Finding new life in the stone industry, Ram Board provides protection for stone countertops and all types of flooring, and is perfectly suited to the fabricator looking to protect his clients’ home, explained Bill Hickey, Braxton-Bragg Vice President of Sales. 

“Ram Board is a brand new product for us, and we are the first to present it to stone fabricators. It not only offers protection for countertops, but for flooring or carpeting when walking or carting materials through a jobsite. It can also be used on corners of walls to help prevent any damage. It’s basically a tough waterproof membrane that utilizes exclusive ‘Spill Guard Technology’, and will keep any liquid from leaking through for up to 24 hours. It’s reasonably priced and can be cut to size to lay on countertops to prevent damage. Moreover, it is non-staining and comes with creases so you can fold it. It is also re-usable if taken care of.”

Made of 100% recycled materials, Ram Board comes in 100-foot rolls 38 and 48 inches wide. There’s also a 36 inch, 50-foot long version for homeowners that is sold in a case of nine rolls for under $30 dollars each. So it is very affordable, and an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Ram Board seam tape is also available from Braxton-Bragg, and highly recommended.

Ram Board provides tough and even reusable protection.		Americover 3 mil protective film gives easily-visible coverage on both floors and countertops. Protects surfaces from transportation damage and scratching during installation.

Americover Countertop & Floor Covering

The beauty of this Go-To product is that it can be applied to countertop surfaces at the shop. After that, no matter how much the job is moved from place to place, be it staging area, truck or jobsite, your customers’ precious cargo is protected.

Americover Countertop & Floor Covering is sold in single 24 inch wide by 50 foot rolls, and when applied, the three mil blue plastic is easily seen. Rated for 150 days after application, it works great on floors, too. So reduce your shop, transportation and installation damage. Save time and keep your customers happy.

GoClips Sink Clips

There’s no drilling or expensive single purpose tools needed to install this fast and mechanically superior sink fastening system. Nope! Only a right angle grinder, a 5-inch diamond blade and a screwdriver are needed to install GoClips. Simply mark one inch lines from the lip of the sink wherever you want a GoClip, drop your blade 1/2 inch deep at each location and the slots are ready. When tightened, GoClips cock sideways to create side pressure and great strength. You get faster installations, superior strength and professional results every time. GoClips are easily removable, too. Sold in a variety of quantities and types for stainless and Porcelain sinks, there’s even a GoClip for CNCs as well. So make GoClips your Go-To sink fastener.

GoClips install using only a few simple standard tools and are available in varieties designed for stainless steel or porcelain sinks.		The Sink Setter and the Hercules Universal Sink Harness prevent sink fall-out commonly caused by gravity, adhesive failure, or material expansion and contraction over time.

Sink Setter

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen or heard about installation failures in sink areas due to gravity, expansion and contraction, or fastener failure. It has been a thorn in the side of every installation professional since, well, forever. That is, until now. Designed for all sink types, weights and configurations, Sink Setter rails are just the support system you need for a rock solid installation, because your sink now attaches to the cabinet instead of the stone. And with Sink Setter there’s no ugly cabinet cluttering support system needed for cast iron, either! It installs front to back or side to side, with no cutting needed, and is easily removable, too! For 20 years, Sink Setter has been proven in the field, and gives the homeowner peace of mind knowing that their sink is not going to fall out. “We sell hundreds every month, and like everything Braxton-Bragg sells — Sink Setter comes with a 30 day money back guarantee,” said Hickey.

Hercules Universal Sink Harness

The Hercules Universal Sink Harness was originally developed by a contractor whose workers were having a hard time fastening sinks. While offering the benefits of other support systems, such as Sink Setter and GoClips, the Hercules Universal Sink Harness offers an additional benefit: ease of re-hanging fallen sinks. Consisting of two loops of wire, draw bar, brackets and screws, the system is easily implemented before sink installation, or afterwards, during a callback. 

The Hercules Universal Sink harness is inexpensive, works on any configuration of sink and installs fast. The Hercules Sink Harness is Braxton-Bragg’s best selling sink-fastening system, and has gained acceptance by fabricators and homeowners alike over seven years of use. This is truly a go-to product for on the spot repairs. What more could you ask for? 

The Hercules Universal Sink Harness is a favorite with installers who’ve been called by a homeowner in a panic over their sink unexpectedly  falling out. With the Hercules Harness, it’s an easy save.

I-Brace Floating Countertop Supports by InnoTops

Fabricators: How many times have you had your customers jump for joy when told that corbels might be needed to support their island, high bar or breakfast nook? How about never? I thought so. Friend, you are behind the times if you think customers want a support that kids can bang their heads on and adults can bruise their knees on. Furthermore, corbels go in and out of style, chip, and always collect dirt and dust. So why not offer I-braces at the point of sale? They’re virtually invisible, easy to install and powder-coated for durability. 

I-Brace Countertop Supports also add profit! How, you ask? Not only do they save installation time, but many customers actually opt for larger countertops, and that, my friend, equals more square footage sold. You’re happier, your bottom line is happier and your customer will be happier when penning the deal. Available in 13 and 20 inch lengths, I-Brace Counter Supports come pre-drilled and countersunk, and should be your #1 go-to support for all of your overhangs.

I-Brace Countertop Supports are virtually invisible when installed, and available in several lengths to fit your overhang. They install easily, and with the release of the Brace Cutter tool (see Braxton-Bragg website), installation is a snap.		Viper® 3-Step Dry – best in class 4-inch dry polishing pads

Viper ^® 3-Step Dry Polishing Pads

Viper^® 3-Step Dry Polishing Pads are by far Braxton-Bragg’s best-selling dry pads. Lots have imitated — none have ever worked as well. That’s because Viper^® 3-Step Dry Pads use patented TrifectaMate technology, allowing them to polish wet or dry to above 90 on the gloss meter. Shops use them too, but where they’re most valued is on the jobsite for touching up areas that were forgotten or modified. “Viper 3-Step Dry Polishing Pads are best in the world. Quality wise, no other pad can touch them,” said Braxton-Bragg sales vice president Bill Hickey. The 4-inch Viper^® 3-Step Dry Polishing Pads are available in single grits or by the pack.

Visit www.braxton-bragg.com or call 800-575-4401 and talk to one of their sales staff for these ten installation favorites and much, much more.