Before you buy dyes for coloring concrete, you should learn about their types and properties, as well as the methods of coloring and the effect of the shade of cement on the shade of the product.
Please note that most of the pigments used to color concrete are iron oxide, and they contain metal salts or oxides.
General information
What coloring agents for concrete are there
According to the method of obtaining powder types, pigments can be divided into the following groups:
- Organic (i.e. natural) - they differ in color saturation, high coloring power, have received incredibly wide use after their light fastness was improved during production by increasing the molecular weight and adding elements of a chemical type with a metal content.
- Inorganic (that is, artificial) - they are obtained from clay, mineral raw materials, limestone, grinding them to a powder state and subjecting them to chemical and heat treatment.
Pigments for concrete by consistency can be:
- Dry (in the form of powders).
- Liquid.
- Pasty.
Concrete staining methods:
- When cooking.
- After drying the finished product.
When using the first option, the products will serve for a very long time, will not lose their attractive appearance and do not need repair work, but are extremely expensive due to the use of a huge amount of pigments. The solution with dyes should be kneaded in this way:
- Mix sand with gravel and cement.
- Add pigment and required additional components, mix until smooth.
- Pour in water (but not all at once) and mix.
- Pour the mold under certain conditions (do not allow drafts and water to evaporate quickly).
