Dye (pigment) for concrete: types of dyes, how to make it yourself

Although concrete is a common and adaptable building material, its usual gray color can occasionally be a little boring for imaginative projects. Concrete can be transformed by adding a pop of color, giving your project a distinctive and eye-catching appearance. This is where pigments, also known as dyes for concrete, are useful. They let you add colorful colors to your concrete mixture, which makes it ideal for patios, countertops, and other decorative surfaces.

Different kinds of dyes are available to color concrete. These include surface-applied dyes, which are added after the concrete has set, and integral pigments, which are incorporated into the concrete before it is poured. Each kind has unique advantages, and you can select the one that best suits the demands of your project. While surface-applied dyes offer a wider range of brilliant colors and can be used to create intricate designs and patterns, integral pigments provide consistent color throughout the concrete.

You might be interested in creating your own concrete dye if you like do-it-yourself projects. One inexpensive and enjoyable way to add personalization to your concrete work is to make your own dye. You can make a batch of your desired color with simple, easily accessible ingredients like iron oxide pigments. For your project, you can find the ideal shade with a little trial and error.

Knowing the many kinds of concrete dyes and how to make them can unleash a world of creative possibilities for anyone interested in do-it-yourself projects, whether they are professional contractors or home improvement enthusiasts. Concrete can be colored to improve its visual appeal and create environments that are lively and unique.

What coloring agents for concrete exist

The following categories apply to powder pigments based on their production method:

• organic (natural) — characterized by color saturation, high coloring capacity, have become widely used after their lightfastness was improved during production by increasing the molecular weight and adding chemical elements containing metals;
• inorganic (artificial) — obtained from mineral raw materials, clay, limestone, grinding them to a powder state and subjecting them to thermal and chemical treatment.

The majority of pigments used to color concrete are iron oxides, which are mixtures of metal oxides and salts.

By consistency, concrete dye can be:

• liquid;
• dry (powders);
• pasty.

The basic colors, which have shown to be lightfast, are used to choose the color of the concrete dye:

• white (with an admixture of titanium dioxide);
• black (with carbon or soot oxide);
• red (with iron oxide);
• brown (with iron oxide);
• green (with chromium oxide);
• yellow (with iron oxide).

The colors are combined to create effects. Some hues are more costly or have a shorter lifespan; for instance, a fluorean can produce a blue that fades fast.

Acid pigments

When inorganic salts in an acidic aqueous solution react with calcium hydroxide in a hardened cement, the reaction takes place, causing the inorganic salts to permeate the pores to a depth of 1-2 mm and become a part of the cement, strengthening and connecting the surface.

It resists fading and doesn’t slip when walking or riding on wheels.

The surface is painted differently because the concrete coating always reacts unevenly in different areas.

Because it can cover old concrete, withstand temperatures between -50 and +50 °C, and withstand more than 300 freezing cycles, an acidic chloride for cement is widely used. He can paint the concrete in this way or give it a layered appearance:

• marble and natural stone;
• spots or specks.

Acrylic pigment

The dye, which is based on acrylic, creates a decorative and protective layer that is distinguished by:

• strength;
• resistance to mechanical loads, exposure to fuels and lubricants, alkalis, moisture, ultraviolet radiation;
• no toxic fumes.

Acrylic pigments are applied to both interior and exterior surfaces for painting. Suitable for use in extremely cold temperatures.

Dry dye

A finely ground powder with unique binders is called dry dye. Its hue makes the shade of paint that will be applied to the structure immediately apparent. Its attributes:

• gives the brightest shades;
• applicable only to new concrete that has not been processed before;
• withstands any weather conditions;
• white dry dye is resistant to yellowing;
• high hiding power and anti-corrosion.

The coloring agent’s ability to stick to and strengthen the cement structure is its primary benefit.

Simple pigments

Simple pigments are best used indoors due to their low resistance to environmental factors and rapid fading in the sun. Powders can be mixed easily to create a wide range of shades.

Paint will not dissolve well if dry pigments are added, and defects in the form of vivid stripes will show up when painting the surface.

Color additives

During mixing, liquid or dry pigments are added to the concrete. This painting technique is thought to be the best because flaws are less noticeable, the color does not fade over time, and the surface stays uniform even if the structure sustains damage (chips, scuffs, etc.). Because it takes a lot of pigment to paint the entire concrete layer, finished products typically have an unsaturated shade.

Properties of dyes

The pigment’s chemical makeup determines its primary characteristics, which include color, thermal stability, corrosion resistance, and chemical resistance. It needs to have at least some salts that dissolve in water and can be removed with water. Its dispersion greatly influences its characteristics; the higher the following indicators, the finer the particles:

1. Hiding ability – the ability to make the original surface color invisible. Good hiding power, allowing you to obtain a dense coating with minimal product consumption (20-60 g/m²), is achieved when using pigment with particle sizes of 0.2-10 microns.
2. Color intensity – the ability to transmit your color to a mixture with white pigment.

If you want to paint the cement mortar a rich color, keep in mind that adding more pigment won’t change the shade; once the color is this intense, it can’t be changed any more. The strength and resistance to frost of concrete will decline if the pigment content rises above 5-6% of the cement weight.

Additional crucial characteristics of pigments:

• light fastness – the ability to retain its color when exposed to sunlight, natural pigments have the highest rate, but they also fade over time;
• oil absorption — ​​the ability of 100 g of pigment to hold a certain amount of oil on its surface, the indicator ranges from 40 to 100 g, the lower it is, the stronger the coating will be;
• alkali resistance — the ability not to change color when combined with cement mortars.

Concrete dyes provide an adaptable way to infuse any concrete project with color and personality. There are many different kinds of dyes, each with specific advantages and ways of application, like water-based stains, acid stains, and integral pigments. Making your own concrete dye can be an easy and satisfying project for do-it-yourself enthusiasts, enabling personalized colors and distinctive finishes. This post will walk you through the different kinds of concrete dyes that are available and provide you detailed instructions on how to make your own, so you can easily turn plain concrete into surfaces that are eye-catching and vibrant.

Methods of painting concrete

There are two ways to paint concrete:

• during preparation;
• after the finished product has dried.

The first option results in products that are costly because a lot of pigment is used, but they last a long time without losing their appealing appearance or needing to be repaired. The following is how the pigment solution should be combined:

1. Mix sand with cement and gravel.
2. Add pigment and necessary additional additives, mix until smooth.
3. Pour in water (not all at once) and mix.
4. Pour into molds under appropriate conditions (avoiding rapid evaporation of water and drafts).

Paving slabs are made of two layers to reduce dye usage or produce brighter products without going over budget: first, the form or area is filled with two-thirds of the height of pigment-free concrete; the remaining gap is then filled with a colored mixture without waiting for the first layer to harden.

Depending on its properties, the pigment used to stain finished goods dissolves in a liquid medium and can reach 1-2 mm below the surface of the concrete. The color will last longer if it is deeper. Paint is applied to concrete floors using a roller, sprayer, or decorative stone brush. If you apply the second coat of paint after the first has been absorbed, the color will be brighter. Concrete’s outcome is influenced by both its moisture content and its overall quality.

The choice of cement

When using the same pigment, the color of the finished concrete varies depending on the shade of cement used. For example, the white sequence with white sand is based on the brightest colors, gray – muffled tones.

It is advised that when manufacturing light-colored and green concrete, a white sequence be used. When using black pigment, the color of the cement is irrelevant; similarly, if the dye is red or dark brown, there won’t be much of a difference in the final product’s white or gray base. The difference is more pronounced for blue and yellow pigments: the greater the requirement for a white base, the purer and lighter the required concrete color.

When producing concrete components that form a solid surface, such as curbs, paving slabs, and building facades, it is important to consider that cement from the same brand may have varying shades at different factories. The percentage of cement in the concrete is also significant; the higher the concrete quality, the brighter the painted surface.

DIY concrete pigment

You can create your own concrete pigment if it is not available for purchase. You’ll need the following for this:

• dry lime paint of the desired color – 500 g;
• calcium chloride – 240 ml;
• slaked lime – 1.5 kg;
• laundry soap – 30 g;
• clean water at room temperature – 6 l;
• 3 containers with a volume of approximately 10, 2 and 0.5 l.

Granulated calcium chloride is sold as an antifreeze additive and as a surface accelerator. Because lime paints are made of calcium chloride, aluminum alum, and coloring agents (mineral inorganic pigments), light shades predominate and the color spectrum is not very rich. Lime paint can also be independently prepared; its ingredients are sold separately.

Rubber gloves and safety glasses must be worn when handling the dye, and an open space or well-ventilated room is required.

1. Pour lime into a bucket and gradually, stirring, pour in 5 liters of water.
2. In a smaller container, combine the dye with water to obtain 1 liter of liquid paint, add calcium chloride.
3. Crush the soap, pour in a small amount of hot water.
4. Pour soap and the mixture with paint into the lime solution, mix and strain.

Concrete color addition is a great way to improve the visual appeal of a variety of structures, including driveways and decorative elements. You can get the ideal look for your project with a range of dye options, such as water-based stains, acid stains, and integral pigments. Knowing the features of each type of dye will help you make an informed decision because each one has special advantages.

Producing your own concrete dye can be an enjoyable and affordable endeavor. You can adjust the color and intensity to your preferred level by utilizing either commercial pigments or natural ingredients. To ensure uniform color and even distribution throughout the batch, the selected pigment must be thoroughly mixed with the concrete mixture. Playing around with different pigments and concentrations opens up a lot of creative options.

In addition to improving the projects’ aesthetic appeal, colored concrete increases their durability and worth. With the correct dye, plain concrete can become a striking design element, regardless of whether you’re going for vibrant hues or subtle earth tones. You can achieve long-lasting, professional-looking results by selecting the right type of dye and applying it according to the instructions.

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