These days, concrete isn’t just the gray, boring material we’re used to. With minimal effort, you can make any product made from this material shine with all the colors of the rainbow. An especially wide variety of shades is used in the production of curbs, paving slabs, cobblestones, and small architectural forms. You can also successfully use DIY concrete pigments. This simple solution will brighten up any yard, adding a touch of color and originality to everyday things.
There are many ways to color concrete, and it’s not as difficult as it might seem at first. For each method, you should study all the details, advantages, and disadvantages. This article will help you understand these and many other aspects.
How to Color Concrete Structures?
There are 2 methods for this simple task:
- Coloring the finished, cured product;
- Making colored concrete.
The first method is suitable for treating large, existing structures and is similar to simply painting walls. However, this type of work requires deep-penetrating compounds that don’t just create a layer of paint on the surface. These substances color the concrete to a depth of 1-2 mm. The deeper the penetration, the longer the color will last. This is a crucial point, as concrete structures are often exposed to moisture, sun, and abrasion.
A more reliable method is to make colored concrete. This material lasts a very long time and requires no touch-ups whatsoever. The main drawback is the cost. After all, achieving a rich, uniform color requires a large amount of pigment, and this substance is not cheap.
There are 5 types of concrete colorants:
- Acid-based;
- Acrylic;
- Standard;
- Dry;
- Color additives.
Acid-Based Concrete Stains
Acid-based stains are the most popular way to color concrete structures. They come in the form of a transparent powder that is completely harmless to people and the environment, which reacts chemically with the concrete to achieve the desired color. As for the color palette, there are 8 basic shades (black, red, yellow, green, and others). The desired shade can be achieved by mixing some of them or by increasing the concentration.
What do you need to stain concrete with pigment?
- A solvent;
- Fixing additives;
- A binding agent.
First, the dry components are mixed, and then the liquid is added. The structures are coated with a solvent, and the diluted pigment is applied to a pre-cleaned and dried surface with a sprayer or an acid-resistant brush without any metal parts. Nearby objects should be protected from the acid, as it corrodes less durable materials. To prevent work-related injuries, a protective suit and gloves are required.
After 6 hours, the stain residue and acid are washed off with water, followed by thorough drying for 24 hours, resulting in a well-treated structure. Concrete parts stained this way can be styled to look like stone or have an antique finish.
The approximate pigment consumption for this type of work is 0.25–0.35 liters of pre-diluted stain per 1 m².
Acid-based colorants can also be used to make colored concrete, which is needed for producing small architectural details, paving slabs, or cobblestones. Products made from such material can be called eternal in terms of color, as it doesn’t wear off, wash away, or fade.
Approximately, to make 50 kg of this mixture, 0.5–1 kg of dry pigment is needed (the brighter the color, the more coloring powder is required).
Basic proportions for mixing colored concrete:
- Cement – 1 part;
- Sand – 2.5 parts;
- Water – 1/4 part;
- Gravel – 4 parts;
- Pigment – 2%.
It’s best to use white cement, as gray cement requires more pigment, which makes it more expensive.
Acrylic Paints for Concrete
Acrylic paint is used for coating concrete structures in places where durability and color vibrancy are required. Therefore, it is excellent for floors and walls. You can choose the right shade of acrylic paint for concrete right at the store. The selection is huge, and there are no mixing hassles. Acrylic paint can be applied to concrete items both indoors and outdoors. It is completely harmless and dries quite quickly.
Painting requires minimal effort. A brush, sponge, or roller will work equally well for applying acrylic to concrete. A low-pressure sprayer will help get the job done faster. For a more vibrant color, it’s best to apply a double coat.
The coating is quite durable, but poor-quality paint can start to peel and flake.
Standard Dyes for Concrete
The main advantage of this type of dye is that it’s easy to mix and comes in a wide variety of colors. These are what will help you get the most vibrant concrete details. The cost can also be an advantage for builders, but that’s where the pros end. Of course, after spending a couple of hours in a store, you can choose a decent dye for concrete, but it’s also very easy to make a mistake. Low-quality dyes fade quickly in the sun and don’t hold up well to temperature fluctuations. So, it’s better to use standard concrete dyes indoors.
The application process is similar to acid-based stains: the powder, which is how these pigments are sold, is diluted with water or a solvent. No special tools are needed for application: a sponge, roller, or brush will do. The color turns out excellent, the paint dries quickly, and it doesn’t require further maintenance (like washing off residue as with acid staining).
Dry Pigments for Concrete
These dyes are the best solution for those looking to add vibrancy to their yard. In terms of the color palette, there are plenty of options to choose from. You can immediately tell from the powder what shade the colored structure will acquire. The color will be quite resistant to any weather, humidity, and light. However, dry pigments are only suitable for fresh concrete that hasn’t been treated before. Only the surface of the structure is colored, but thanks to special components, the dry color will not only be very durable but will also strengthen the concrete. This is its main advantage.
When buying, you should first pay attention to the fact that the powder must be uniform and have no clumps. It’s also better to choose a consistently bright color. These substances don’t dissolve in water, and in a professional-grade solvent, they eventually settle to the bottom. These include, for example, the well-known white, umber, ocher, and others.
These colors should be applied with a trowel or putty knife, stirring the mixture periodically and leaving a dense, opaque layer on the surface.
Color Additives for Concrete
These substances are used specifically to create colored concrete. They can be liquid or powdered and are added directly to the wet concrete. The shades are predominantly light and pastel. Structures made with color additives are colored all the way through. This makes them resistant to weather conditions, scratches, and chips. The color doesn’t wear off and will last as long as the structure itself.
