How to Color Concrete
When you're working on a home improvement project, you might want to add some color to the concrete that you're pouring. This can make the concrete more aesthetically pleasing and can help bring together the look of your project. Read on to learn more. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Decide on the non-aesthetic particulars of your project. The very first thing that you need to know before you begin any home improvement project is how much of each material you're going to need. Measure the area that you're be pouring concrete onto and determine how much concrete you need to finish the project. Don't forget to include the depth of the concrete in your calculations. You need to know how much concrete you're going to be using before you can know how much dye you need to color it.
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Purchase a dye for your concrete. Pick a color that will compliment the look of the area you are constructing in. If you're using several different colors, plan what colors you want and where they will go in advance.
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Test the dye. Mix a small amount of concrete and use it to test your dye. Some concrete, especially the very dense, non-porous types, won't take the color. Be sure that your concrete and dye work well together before you begin your project.
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Pour the concrete. If you're doing a fairly small area, then it's probably safe to pour all of it at once. If you're going to be dyeing a large area, then you might want to consider breaking it up into smaller pieces so that you have time to add the dye before the concrete dyes.
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Add the dye. Be sure to do this before the concrete has dried. Use a brush to apply the dye to the concrete, or you can spray it on. Different application types work better depending on the size of your project and the type of concrete you are using.
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Tips & Warnings
If you want to color concrete that has already dried, you should look into using concrete stains or acid wash to get the look you desire.
After you've mixed a dye with concrete, it won't necessarily be the exact same color that it was before it was mixed. Perform a color test by applying the dye to a small piece of concrete and letting it dry to make sure that it's the color you want.
