Friday, June 6, 2014

Concrete Color Pigment Usage And Tips

By Sally Delacruz


Concreted surfaces can be more than just floors these days. Versatility with coloring, texturing, and installation provides more options. People can choose this material for counter tops, table tops, bar tops, and even as a non-traditional flooring. Concrete color pigment helps with choices, but it is important to understand the proper use and types.

Also known as integral and surface pigments, these types of coloring are available in a powder or liquid and each have specific mixing requirements. Liquid pigments, for example, are often in a concentrated form and need to be diluted with water before adding to the cement mix. There may also be specific requirements for how different pigments are used. Some liquid versions may have to be applied to the top of the concreted surface after it has cured instead of adding it to the mix before spreading.

As one of the three groups of pigments, the ones that are made from iron oxide are the most common. They are not as expensive as the other groups, but the selection of colors is somewhat limited. Available choices are typically earthy colors. Hues of browns, deep reds, and darker yellows make up the choices for this group. These pigments are popular, not only because of their lower price but also because of the somewhat neutral colors that can be used for indoor or outdoor applications.

A second group of pigments are metal oxides. They are in the middle in relation to price when compared with the other two groups of pigments. Unlike iron oxide pigments, there are more colors available depending on the type of metal oxide used. Chromium oxide provides green colors and titanium oxide gives you a bright white. You can also choose from reds, purples, and blues in various shades and opacity levels.

The most expensive pigments are the synthetic versions. Although they do cost more, they also provide the largest amount of colors to choose from. They are also typically more potent which means you will use less when you mix them in or apply them to the surface. Colors range from vibrant canary yellow to bright violet, and almost everything in between.

Packaged in dissolving bags or cans, powdered pigments will be fine or granular form. The granulated types are generally used in cement trucks because the prolonged, hard mixing disintegrates the granules. Fine powder pigments are ideal for small mixers such as those that are used for household projects.

Versions in liquid form are actually solid pigments suspended in liquid to allow time to measure and mix. They must be mixed well frequently while you are measuring to keep the pigments from settling. Some are concentrated, while others are already diluted. Read the package instructions before you begin to determine what may need to be done in advance and during mixing.

There are some pigments that provide extra protection for concentrated surfaces. Particularly with synthetic and liquid versions, it is possible to have pigments that provide some water resilience or other type of extra protective measures. Surfaces that can be polished are often great application instances for these types. They can also be ideal choices for concreted surfaces that are stamped.




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