Pre-Application
Cured: Ensure concrete or overlay has cured a minimum of 28 days. Applying dye to uncured concrete can lead to uneven color and poor adhesion.
Sound: Surface must be dry, clean, and structurally sound.
Profiled: Perform a water absorption test. Sprinkle water and wait 3–5 minutes. If water does not absorb, etch with CitrusEtch™ and neutralize with ProClean Neutralizer™ to open the pores. If water absorbs, the surface is ready.
Left: Water absorbs — ready for staining. Right: Water beads — surface needs etching. Clean: Remove dust, dirt, oils, paint, glue, efflorescence, curing agents, release agents, mildew, rust, and any contaminants.
Temperature: Use Vibrance™ Dye between 40°F (4°C) and 95°F (35°C).
Preparation
Wear appropriate PPE as outlined in the SDS.
Mask and protect all surrounding areas from overspray.
Do not apply tape directly to stained or dye-ready concrete.
Vibrance™ Dye Preparation
Vibrance™ Dye comes in pre-measured containers designed for mixing with specific acetone volumes. Select the container that matches your desired working volume: 5 oz, 1 qt, 1 gal, or 5 gal.
1. Pour
Pour the entire contents of the pre-measured dye container into a separate container holding the matching volume of acetone.
2. Shake
Seal the container and shake vigorously for 30–45 seconds to disperse all powdered dye.
3. Safety Warning
Do NOT use any electrical mixer. Acetone is highly flammable. Mix only by hand shaking or manual stirring. Always work in a well-ventilated area away from heat, sparks, pilot lights, and open flames. Follow all warnings and safety instructions printed on the acetone label.
4. Induction Time
Let the mixture sit for 1 hour before spraying to allow full pigment activation.
5. Load Sprayer
Remove sprayer filters before use. Filters can trap powdered dye and cause clogging or uneven spray patterns.Shake the dye mixture again, then fill the acetone-grade sprayer.
Before starting
Eliminate all ignition sources. Turn off pilot lights, avoid smoking, and follow all acetone safety guidelines.
Start at a far corner
Begin application at the area furthest from your exit. Always wear spiked shoes.
Spray technique
Spray in slightly circular, overlapping passes about 24" from the surface. Shake the sprayer tank side-to-side often to prevent settling.
Thin coats
Apply thin, even coats. Avoid puddling. For deeper color, apply up to 4 thin coats , allowing each to dry before the next.
If Drips / Puddles Occur
Stop spraying
Allow the spot to dry 4–6 hours
Dab gently with a cloth + acetone
Blend using a light mist of dye
Dry Time Between Coats
Let each coat dry at least 15 minutes before the next coat.
Walking on Dye
If walking is necessary before full dry, wear spiked shoes to avoid smudging.
Remove Excess Dye
Once dry, gently dust-mop or microfiber mop to remove loose dye particles.
Color Expectation
Dried dye appears lighter. Full color returns after sealing.
Sealing
Dye must be sealed. Without sealer, the color will wash off.
Allow Vibrance™ Dye to dry at least 2 hours before applying an acrylic sealer. In cool or humid conditions, wait 4 hours or until completely dry. Sealing too soon may affect adhesion or color.
Exterior
EasySeal™ Satin or AcquaSeal™ Satin recommended
Gloss versions may be slippery — add OxiGrip™ if desired
EasySeal™ enriches color more strongly
Interior
AcquaSeal™ Gloss or Satin recommended
Add ProWax Polish™ for added durability
Limitations
Batch Variability: The supply of specialized pigments may vary between batches. To ensure color consistency, use the same batch for the entire job or mix multiple batches together (“boxing”).Surface Characteristics: Vibrance™ Dye blends concrete but does not conceal discolorations, blemishes, cracks, or irregularities. It highlights porosity variations and dries lighter than its wet appearance.Sealant Requirement: Vibrance™ Dye is not a sealant. A sealer is required for color enhancement.Surface Compatibility: On hard-troweled surfaces, or surfaces where pores are smaller than the Vibrance™ Dye particles, there's a risk of the stain drying on the surface without proper adhesion. Account for this during surface preparation.Durability with Sealer: If a sealer is removed, Vibrance™ Dye will also come off as it bonds with the sealer.Color Accuracy: While efforts are made to accurately represent colors in product literature, photos, and sample color chips, the actual color achieved on concrete can significantly differ. This discrepancy stems from the stain's translucent nature, allowing the color of the concrete base to affect the final shade.
Slip Resistance
Vibrance™ Dye does not affect slip resistance, which is determined by the chosen sealer. For enhanced slip-resistance on exterior surfaces, add OxiGrip™ to the sealer.
Coverage
Estimated coverage is around 150 square feet per gallon, varying with surface conditions and application methods.
Clean-Up
Product
Clean-Up
Vibrance™ Dye
Acetone
AcquaSeal™ Water-based Sealer
ProClean Degreaser™ and warm water
EasySeal™ Solvent-based Sealer
Xylene
ProWax Polish™
ProClean Degreaser™ and warm water
Disposal
Dispose of unused product according to local environmental or hazardous waste regulations.
Shelf Life and Storage
Use Vibrance™ Dye within one year of purchase and store it in a cool, indoor location away from sunlight and heat.
Maintenance
Regularly inspect exterior sealed surfaces for wear and reapply sealer as needed.
For interior surfaces, monitor and maintain wax coatings or polish, especially in high-traffic areas.
Safety & Precautions
CAUTION: Avoid contact with eyes and skin. Do not breathe dust. Do not take internally. In case of eye contact, flush thoroughly with water. In case of skin contact, flush thoroughly with water. If swallowed, do not induce vomiting. Call physician immediately.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
Warranty
Vibrance™ Dye is guaranteed for uniform quality within manufacturing tolerances. No warranty is provided for its application effects. Liability for defects is limited to refunding the purchase price. Users bear all other risks and liabilities. For inquiries, contact Direct Colors customer service.
