With a cost of about $0.53 per square foot (dye + acetone + water-based, acrylic satin sealer), Concrete Dye is one of the most cost-effective concrete staining options from Direct Colors line of coloring products. Acetone Dye is easy to prepare and apply using an acetone-grade pump sprayer. Great for all your smooth, polished concrete coloring needs.
The raw form of the dye is a super fine powder that is dispersed in a solvent such as acetone which makes it one of the most versatile coloring products in the market. Learn more about
how to prepare and apply concrete dyes in our guide.
Quick Facts
Dry Time: 4-6 hours before applying
sealer Cleanup: Acetone
Coverage: Approximately 150 sq. ft. per gallon mix
Recommended Uses: Home office,
basement, kitchens, living areas, bathrooms and even countertops. Concrete Dyes are also great for stenciling and adding accents to concrete stains.
How Concrete Dye Works
Unlike Acid-Based Stains, concrete dyes do not react chemically with the concrete. A blend of UV-stable pigment and acrylic mix with acetone create a topical color suitable for most concrete types.
Concrete dyes are a great way to color existing slabs of concrete and offer a wide range of color options. Colors can be used to cover previous dyes or concrete stains, or to create something entirely new. Concrete dyes can be used to create a multi-dimensional polished concrete look or to apply solid colors to concrete surfaces.

WHERE TO APPLY CONCRETE DYE
Machine troweled concrete and new or existing exterior or interior smooth concrete surfaces such as: Home Office, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Patios, Driveways and Countertops.

Concrete dye can be combined with EasyTint colored concrete sealers for amazing variagated color combinations!

WHEN NOT TO APPLY CONCRETE DYE
DO NOT apply concrete dye onto rough or highly porous concrete surfaces.
SURFACE PREPARATION
·
New concrete must cure for a
minimum of 35 days, and may be influenced by wet or dry weather
·
Floors that have been previously
painted must be stripped using a high-quality Paint & Sealer Stripper
· For proper penetration and color adhesion, etch extra-smooth concrete with Hard Troweled Floor Pre-Treatment for best results*
·
Remove tough stains using a Concrete Cleaner & Degreaser
Concentrate
·
Clean floor thoroughly and make
sure it is completely rinsed and dry before staining. For interior application,
use a mop and bucket to rinse and clean; a pressure washer may be used outdoors
·
Important:
Failure to completely rinse the concrete surface may result in concrete dye color adhesion issues.
· Protect the surrounding areas from backsplash. Use drop cloths and firm cardboard and do not apply tape to surfaces recently coated with dyes or sealer, as the adhesive may remove the coatings
MIXING YOUR DYE AND ACETONE
·
Pour all contents of concrete dye
packet into an Acetone-Grade Pump Sprayer
·
Add acetone into pump sprayer
·
Shake mixture thoroughly
·
Allow acetone-dye to sit for a
minimum of 45 minutes before application
·
Continue to shake periodically
during application to ensure particulate does not settle at the bottom
ACETONE PUMP SPRAYER
·
Direct Colors™
Concrete Dye must be applied with a high quality Acetone-Grade Pump Sprayer with a
conical tip to avoid clogging.
· Do not use a pump sprayer with a fan tip.
APPLICATION
·
Mix acetone-dye well before
spraying and shake frequently during use to ensure consistent color application
·
Tip: Adjust the pump sprayer nozzle tip until you reach a
fine mist setting. Practice spraying on a piece of cardboard or newspaper
·
Important: Test the color first, using a small corner area of your concrete slab. Get a
feel of how the pump sprayer works
·
Apply thin layers of Concrete Dye
using a random, straight or circular motion
·
Hold the spray tip approximately 10
inches above the concrete surface
·
The dye will dry almost instantly
so you can add extra layers until your desired saturation is reached.
Generally, 2-3 thin coats should be enough for a variegated look but additional coats (up to 5 coats) can be applied
for a more consistent, deeper color.
·
Important: If using a cheap sprayer; to
prevent drips from getting on the surface, use a rag to wipe any drips when the
sprayer stops
·
Do not walk on wet Dye
·
Allow 4 – 6 hours to dry before
walking on it.
TOP COAT SEALER
· To extend the life of the sealed concrete floor, we recommend using a non buffing required Concrete Floor Wax
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