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Ways Of Effective Concrete Coloring

By Sharron Cantu


Some time back, pearly polished concrete floors were of admirable beauty. With the change in living styles and technological advancement, these floors has been done away with. With any imaginations and dreams, there has been unlimited color choices. When used together with concrete polishing, gem like effects is provided by the coloring. To ensure a magnificent concrete coloring, the below steps or ways should be taken into consideration.

Integral coloring. Production of an uniform color is evident from the mixing of concrete and colorant. The colorant is in two forms which are either liquid or powder. In instances where new installations are required, this integral is employed. It requires a mixing truck hence is used in large monochrome areas. This application is expensive, and one has to dig deep. The reason behind it is that there is total coloring to the depth of the slab.

Shake on colors. They consist of dry cement and fine ground pigments. The freshly positioned concrete is used to broadcast the cement. The powder is set into the concrete during bull floating process. The bleeding water is used to enhance the bonding of the cement powder together with the pigments. The color is removed due to grinding and polishing of the top layer which consists of concentrated pigments. This is ideal for freshly placed concrete.

Acid stains. It consists of metallic salts and water formulas. A mottled and unique color effect is created once the acid reacts chemically with the present minerals. This color last enough just like the concrete its applied on. Precautions are required when handling the acid stains as they are hazardous materials. With little spill of the acid on the floor, permanent features are left.

The acetone dyes. They are commonly recognized by the ability to dry faster. In addition, they are a reduction solvent. The benefits however are shadowed by the fact that there is a high risk as the acetone dyes are highly flammable. Because of its toxicity and odor it cannot be used in engaged places. The color should be applied once the floor has been polished. The vivid colors are imparted by the solvent dyes, but they are not stable in the presence of UV. Use of respirators and explosion proofs are recommended when one is installing these solvents.

The water based dyes. They have some advantages which include easy application, odorless, safety and quick drying. The mixing process is also simplified and easy which can effectively be altered to match the client taste as well as preference. Striking patterns, as well as effects, are easily created regardless of size of the room.

Color densifier. This has come as a recent innovation through which the fine pigments suspended in water are blended by an applicator having a lithium silicate densified. The pigments in the product are similar to shake-on colors because they are surface treatments hence polishing after the application removes color. For horizontal concrete, out or inside, protective treatments are recommended.

In conclusion, when making new installations, the above mentioned products will handle the job perfectly. In the case of restoration or refit, only the water based dyes, acetone dyes or acid stains will work out. Water based dyes are preferred as they help to maintain the environment.




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