Click/Tap each question to hide/show the answers. How does ColorWave™ work? ColorWave™ is an eco-friendly, water-based concrete stain that can be easily applied to concrete using a pump up sprayer. There are 24 amazing, stand-alone colors that can be blended artistically or overlapped to create unique variations.
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Where can I apply ColorWave™ water based concrete stain? Effective on most concrete surfaces, ColorWave™ is a UV stable colorant that can be applied on both indoor and outdoor projects.
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How do I know if my concrete is properly prepared for ColorWave™? Great question! When using any pigment-based colorant, your concrete surface should be lightly etched or sanded to give it porosity so the pigments can "nest" into the surface.
Apply ColorWave™ to a small test area and allow it to dry. Once dry, trace your finger across the test area or wipe a cloth across the color. A well-prepared surface will hold a majority of the pigment in the pores of your concrete. A very slight pickup of color isn’t considered a problem. Conversely, if you fully wipe off the color, you should etch or sand the surface to better prepare your concrete for a successful application that won't peel down the line.
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How much surface preparation is required for a water-based concrete stain? Surface preparation is often the most critical factor in any successful decorative concrete project. The concrete surface MUST be free of cure and seal, sealer, paint, dirt, grime, and grease. Once the surface is nice and clean, make sure it has enough porosity for the colorant to penetrate the surface. If the concrete is too smooth (slick) and the colorant isn't able to penetrate or nest in, the pigments will be less stable on the concrete and can create a barrier between the concrete and the sealer you apply. If the sealer can't bond well, it can lead to the finish peeling up along with the color. Trust us - it's totally worth it to put in the extra time to set yourself up for a successful and long-lasting project!
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I purchased the amount of product your concrete stain calculator recommended based on my square footage, and still needed more. What happened? Depending on your concrete surface and chosen application methods, coverage rates can vary. We follow industry standards of approximately 200 square feet per gallon, which commonly applies to lower viscosity products like colorants and concrete sealers.
First, it's always good to double-check your calculation of square footage. From there, a few variables come into play. How porous, weathered, or worn is your concrete? How heavily are you applying the product? On smoother, less porous concrete, you may find you're getting a bit more coverage than anticipated. For stamped, textured, or more weathered, porous concrete, you may get a bit less coverage. These variables aren't calculation errors, but more of a common indefinite. When in doubt, follow the general construction rule of rounding up for your supply needs.
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I’ve just applied ColorWave™ to my concrete and after it dried, it barely has any color. What happened? The good news is that concrete pigments don't disappear! Assuming your concrete surface is in relatively decent condition and isn't extremely deteriorated, the pigments you sprayed down are still in place. Once ColorWave™ is applied to the surface and dries for several hours, the dried pigment only appears faded.
When you apply the recommended two thin coats of concrete sealer, the color will “pop” to life, transforming your space! Be mindful of a decision you'll need to make between solvent-based or water-based sealers. While both are great options, the difference is that solvent-based sealers will “pop” color much more intensely than water-based sealers. Water-based sealers will tend to soften in color as they cure.
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Why didn’t ColorWave™ water based stain work on my concrete? It would be unusual if ColorWave™ didn't color your concrete surface successfully. Remember, this product is made of pigment, and pigments don't disappear! If ColorWave™ didn't add any color to your concrete, it could potentially be one of two issues: - The pigments became trapped or blocked in the sprayer. This can make it seem as if you sprayed liquid with no color. Make sure that you have removed all of the filters on the stain sprayer and that the O-rings are seated correctly in the sprayer head.
- The concrete that you're applying ColorWave™ to is too damaged. When concrete has significantly deteriorated, the pigments will fall deeper into the concrete surface - causing the color to diminish. This is not a sign of a faulty product, but unfortunately, you may have selected the wrong product for your particular project.
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