Monday, June 9, 2014

Guide To Using Concrete Color Pigment

By Sally Delacruz


Cement is no longer limited for patios or garage and basement floors. It no longer has to be drab and boring. Concrete color pigment provides a ton of choices, not just for floors but also for other types of surfaces. There are different types of pigments with different compositions, coloring choices, and price ranges. Each type may also have variations in the method of application, depending on the form and which group the pigments fall under.

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.

Metal oxides are a bit more expensive than iron oxides. This is often due to their composition, which typically helps to provide more choices for coloring. For example, titanium oxide is a bright white while chromium oxide is a green. There are also blues, reds, and purples available in comparison to only the earth tones available in the first group.

Synthetic pigments are in the third group. Even though they are more expensive, many people feel the increase in price is worth it. There are more colors to choose and they tend to use less than pigments in other groups. Colors are much brighter and there is a larger selection available, including yellows, purples, and oranges.

Packaging for powdered pigments includes cans and pre-measured dissolving bags. These pigments come in granule or fine forms. Granules are recommended for cement mixing trucks and large industrial mixers. Fine pigments, in true powder form, are designed for do it yourself uses and appropriately sized manual cement mixers, such as the ones that are used by homeowners who are attempting projects on their own.

Pigments in liquid form need to be mixed thoroughly before adding them to the mix or applying them to the surface. The pigments are suspended in a liquid that keeps it from settling and allows time for measuring and mixing. They should be mixed while still in the container as well. It is important to pay attention to the usage instructions and whether or not it needs to be diluted.

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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