Sometimes, you just need to try before you buy. With Direct Colors’ DIY Concrete Pigment Color Trial Kits, you can do just that. Try your stain in different shades, with different sealer finishes as you test your integrally colored concrete.
Direct Colors’ Concrete Pigment Trial Kit has everything you need to test our integral concrete colorant before you buy it, and to create
small concrete DIY pieces for your home.
Trial Kit Includes
- Select up to 5 different colors out of 117 colors (4 oz by volume each)
- Select up to 1 out of 5 sealers (4 oz each)
- Foam Application Brush (Qty 1)
If you’re wondering what everything in the kit is for, we’ve got you covered. In this brief guide, we’ll go through the steps to using our Concrete Pigment Trial Kit, and when each of the included products are to be used. Let’s get started.
Mixing the Concrete
Direct Colors’ Concrete Pigment is used to integrally color mixed concrete, overlay, stucco, plaster, mortar, grout, and other concrete-based materials. Direct Colors Concrete Pigment comes in over 100 shades and hues.
To use concrete pigment, you’ll first need to purchase and mix your own concrete or concrete-based material. We recommend a smooth, quick-dry concrete for fast drying. The packaging for your concrete should have instructions for mixing. But, generally, a bucket or similar receptacle should be used for mixing, depending on the size of the project.
You might need a cake batter mixer or small paint mixer for thorough blending. Ensure pigments have not settled into bottom corners of mixing container or it could result in pigment streaking or specks in concrete finish.
Applying the Concrete Pigment
Put your Dust Mask, Goggles, and Safety Gloves on. Inhaling or getting concrete pigment in your eyes is dangerous. Use the provided protective gear.
In your DIY Trial Kit, you’ll find
5 Packets of Concrete Pigment in shades of your choosing. The amount of pigment added to the mixture will depend on the amount being mixed. To figure out how much concrete pigment to add to your mixture, check out the
Coverage Calculator Tab on this page.
To ensure peak mixing, add the concrete pigment to the concrete mixture at least 20 minutes before pouring, and mix for about 3-5 minutes with a spoon, spreader, or paddle.
Simply separate the concrete into different containers and mix in your color of choice, or mix all in one if you only want one color of concrete. Direct Colors’ wide range of hues give you lots of options for fun patterns and styles. Or, you can stick to a single color for a sleek and modern look.
Allow the concrete to dry completely. If being used for a smaller, DIY project, tap the sides of the mixing container as the concrete dries to get as many bubbles out of it as possible. Once the concrete has dried, you’re ready to seal.
Sealing the Concrete Surface
Once the concrete surface integrally colored with Direct Colors Concrete Pigment has dried, you’re ready to seal the surface. Put your Safety Gloves, Goggles, and Dust Mask back on.
In your DIY Trial Kit, you’re able to choose 1 of 5 options for concrete sealers. Each of them work very well for any application. However, we generally recommend the Solvent-Based sealers for outdoor concrete, and Water-Based sealers for indoor concrete.
In terms of the finish, the Satin will give you a slightly matte, but beautiful covering that will pop the underlying colorant. High gloss, on the other hand, is a sheer, shiny product that gives the appearance of highly polished stone such as marble. Your choice will depend solely on how you want your concrete surface to look.
Once you’ve chosen your sealer, simply cover one of the
Foam Application Brushes in the sealer, and spread evenly across the newly colored concrete surface. Apply in thin layers. Two coats are recommended for sufficient protection from UV rays, moisture and other elements, and foot traffic.
Allow to dry for up to 24 hours.
And you’re done! For more information on concrete staining and to get ideas for your next concrete coloring project, visit our
resource center.
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