Interior Cement Dye Colors

You can use a red dye to make interior cement appear more like brick.

When many people think of cement color, the light gray color seen on most patios and driveways usually comes to mind. Yet, several different dye colors can be added to the cement to alter its color, explains John DiDomenico of D & G Cement Company in Dearborn Heights, Mich. Colored dye works best when pouring stamped concrete or interior cement to give the concrete a different texture and look. With cement, you start with a base dye and then adding a little more color (one, two or three bags of the desired color) will deepen the shade.

Gray Shading

Gray dye can be used to create various shades of a simple, generic gray. For this color, you'll need one bag for every 2 cubic yards of concrete. For a slightly darker color, use one bag of dye per cubic yard. You can create deeper shades like charcoal gray using this dye. Add two bags of gray dye per cubic yard for a dark gray that resembles shale. For charcoal, add three bags of gray dye per cubic yard.

Red Color Effect

You can use red dye to make the concrete look more like brick. If you want this effect, start with one bag of a light red dye for every 2 cubic yards. To achieve a light, reddish-mauve color, add one bag of red color per cubic yard. For a cinnamon color, add two bags of red dye per cubic yard. To create a dark, brick-red color, add three bags of red dye per cubic yard.

Subtle Tan Colors

If you're looking for something a little more subtle in your home, choose a tan dye. One bag of tan coloring for every 2 cubic yards will create a light, buff color. Add one bag of tan dye per cubic yard for a dark blond color. If you'd like to create rich autumn colors, DiDomenico suggests adding two or three bags of tan dye per cubic yard of concrete.

Earthy Brown Shades

For more earth-toned interior cement, consider using brown dye. One bag per 2 cubic yards of concrete will produce a light sand color. Adding one bag of brown dye per cubic yard will create a light brown. If you're looking for a simple brown, add two bags of the color for every cubic yard. For a deep, rich, reddish-brown color, add three bags of brown dye per cubic yard.

Orange Dye Effects

You can create rich, rust colors in your home projects by adding an orange dye to your interior concrete. One bag of orange dye per cubic yard of cement will create a light orange-brown color. Adding two bags of orange dye per cubic yard will produce an adobe orange shade. For a deep rust color, add three bags of orange dye to each cubic yard of concrete.

References

• John DiDomenico, D & G Cement Co., Dearborn Heights, Mich.