Guide To Using Concrete Color Pigment

By Sally Delacruz


Cement is no longer limited for patios or garage and basement floors. It no longer has to be drab and boring. Concrete color pigment provides a ton of choices, not just for floors but also for other types of surfaces. There are different types of pigments with different compositions, coloring choices, and price ranges. Each type may also have variations in the method of application, depending on the form and which group the pigments fall under.

Pigments for this type of application will be in either a liquid or powder form. These pigments can be an integral or surface type, depending on how they should be applied. Each type will also have different requirements for how to mix them. For instance, a liquid may need to have water added before they are put into the mix. There may be specific usage instructions, such as applying a liquid coloring to a cured concreted surface similar to a stain.

The most common types of pigments are iron oxide versions. Out of the three main groups of pigments, these ones are the least expensive, often because they have limited colors and more detailed or difficult application instructions. They have very few colors to choose, but they are ideal if you are looking for earth tones in the brown and dark yellow range.

The second group is pigments that are made of special metal oxides. There are a few more choices for coloring in this group. Blues, purples, and reds are available. For greens, chromium oxide can be used. If you want a bright white, you can choose titanium oxide. Application is a little more simpler than the first group of pigments, but often not by much.

Synthetic pigments are in the third group. Even though they are more expensive, many people feel the increase in price is worth it. There are more colors to choose and they tend to use less than pigments in other groups. Colors are much brighter and there is a larger selection available, including yellows, purples, and oranges.

Packaged in dissolving bags or cans, powdered pigments will be fine or granular form. The granulated types are generally used in cement trucks because the prolonged, hard mixing disintegrates the granules. Fine powder pigments are ideal for small mixers such as those that are used for household projects.

Pigments in liquid form need to be mixed thoroughly before adding them to the mix or applying them to the surface. The pigments are suspended in a liquid that keeps it from settling and allows time for measuring and mixing. They should be mixed while still in the container as well. It is important to pay attention to the usage instructions and whether or not it needs to be diluted.

The benefits of pigments for concreted surfaces are numerous. Many people seek protection for their concreted surfaces after they have been colored. Surfaces can be highly polished to resemble marble, but the pigments can help repel water. Liquid and synthetic pigments are generally the ones that provide this extra protection.




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