Concrete Pigment Sampler

Although the terms cement and concrete often are used interchangeably, they are NOT the same thing. Cement is actually an ingredient of concrete. Concrete is a mixture of cement, sand and aggregates such as gravel or crushed stone.

Concrete Pigment is an iron oxide powder colorant that integrally colors cement-based materials. Unlike topical stains that color the surface after concrete has cured, pigment is added directly to the wet cement mix before pouring. The result is consistent, even color that runs throughout the entire slab — from top to bottom. Even if the surface is damaged or worn over time, the color remains unchanged because it's not just on the surface.

 Concrete Pigment can be used to add color to concrete, countertops, concrete overlays, stucco, plaster, mortar, grout, and other cement-based materials. It's a versatile product popular with DIYers for projects ranging from concrete countertops and stepping stones to stucco walls and decorative planters.

No! Concrete Pigment and Concrete Dye are NOT the same product. Concrete Pigment (also known as integral color) is added to the concrete mix BEFORE pouring a slab or countertop. Concrete Dye (Vibrance™) is applied topically to the surface AFTER the concrete has been poured and cured. They serve different purposes and are used at completely different stages of a project.

The amount of pigment depends on the PSI (sack mix) of your concrete and the total volume being poured. Higher PSI concrete requires more pigment to achieve the projected color. Direct Colors offers a Truck Pour Per Yard Pigment Calculator on their website that determines exactly how much pigment is needed based on your mix specifications. For pre-bagged ready-mix, provide the bag weight and number of bags to calculate your total order.

For truck pours, introduce the pigment into the truck at least 20 minutes prior to pouring — ideally before the truck leaves the ready-mix plant. For drum mixing, add 1/3 of the total water needed, add all the pigment, mix for 3-5 minutes, then slowly add the concrete mix. For 5-gallon bucket mixes, combine water and pigment first, then add the concrete mix. The mixture should be uniform in color with no streaks before pouring.

As concrete hardens, the color will appear to fade. This is completely normal for integrally colored concrete. Pour water on the surface to see the true color — this is what it will look like once sealed. Applying a concrete sealer (such as EasySeal™ for outdoor or AcquaSeal™ for indoor) will bring the color back to life and protect the finish. We recommend sealing 15 to 30 days after pouring.

Fly ash is added to ready-mix cement by concrete manufacturers in place of cement at substitution rates commonly between 15-40%. While there are structural benefits, a higher rate of fly ash results in a lighter final appearance, making color prediction more difficult. For the most accurate integral concrete color, choose ready-mix cement with around 10% fly ash and no more than 20%.

Yes! Concrete Pigment can be blended into both Patch-RX™ concrete repair compound and Resurface-It™ concrete overlay to create integrally colored repairs and overlays. When using pigment, thoroughly blend it with the water before adding the dry material. Make sure to reach the bottom edges of the bucket with the mixer to fully incorporate all pigment for consistent color.

Yes. While the color itself is permanent and fade-resistant throughout the slab, sealing protects the surface from stains, weather, and wear while also enhancing the color vibrancy. For outdoor projects, seal with a solvent-based acrylic sealer like EasySeal™ (satin finish is recommended to reduce slip hazards on wet exterior concrete). Seal 15 to 30 days after pouring to allow proper curing.