How to Color Concrete While It's Being Poured
Many people simply add a stain or latex paint to concrete while mixing it, but the best way to add color to concrete while it is being poured is to purchase a special concrete coloring mix. This powder is specially designed to color concrete as you mix it and will not fade in the sun. Different brands have different mixing instructions, so follow the proportions recommended by the manufacturer of the colorant you purchase. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Concrete
- Concrete colorant powder
- Mixing tray
- Shovels or hoes for mixing
- Concrete mixer
- Water
Instructions
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Mix your concrete per the manufacturer's instructions. Consider hand mixing concrete to be colored unless you need to mix a large quantity.
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Add the concrete colorant powder into the wet concrete at the end of the mixing process unless instructed to add it earlier by the colorant manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding quantity to be added to the concrete. Once the color has been mixed, add more color or add more concrete mix depending on the exact shade you are looking for. Keep in mind that colors will look slightly less bright and saturated once the concrete has dried.
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Pour and finish your concrete as usual. Allow it to dry thoroughly.
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Clean any mixing equipment immediately and thoroughly. Any colorant residue in the mixer could taint future projects.
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Tips & Warnings
No special care needs to be taken when pouring colored concrete. Treat it the same as you would uncolored concrete.
If you mix colorant into concrete in a mixer, be sure to clean the mixer thoroughly as any residual stain left in the mixer could tint the next batch of concrete. This is why many people choose to mix colorant and concrete by hand in a disposable tray.
