- Color Hardener is hand broadcast evenly to the surface of freshly placed concrete when the concrete reaches the point where no bleed water remains on the surface.
- To develop the proper bond and sufficient density, the moisture for wetting the hardener must come from the concrete substrate. ...
- After the first shake, the surface floated. Do not trowel between applications.
- Apply the second shake perpendicular to the first application in a uniform manner.
- Float in and trowel to the final finish desired. Install construction or control joints as soon as possible.
- Care should be taken during hard steel troweling to prevent trowel burns, especially at tooled joints and edges.
Full Answer
What is color hardener used for in concrete?
How do you use concrete color hardener? Apply dust-on color hardener in two coats, using a dry shake method of uniformly broadcasting the product onto the surface of the freshly placed concrete. Following the initial floating, when excess moisture is no longer evident, broadcast approximately 2/3 of the dust on color hardener onto the fresh concrete surface.
How to color concrete?
Here we will explore how to use color hardeners to color your concrete. Use of various colors produce a more two-dimensional (or realistic) look. They help to blend concrete to the …
How much does it cost to color Harden concrete?
Follow these simple instructions to apply your color hardener product: Color Hardener is hand broadcast evenly to the surface of freshly placed concrete when the concrete reaches the …
Can you apply color hardener in shakes?
Although properly applying color harder is a bit of an art form, you can take a lot of the guesswork out of the process by following these basic guidelines: Use the coverage rate recommended by …
What is color hardener?
Color Hardener is hand broadcast evenly to the surface of freshly placed concrete when the concrete reaches the point where no bleed water remains on the surface. To develop the proper bond and sufficient density, the moisture for wetting the hardener must come from the concrete substrate.
What is Surecast concrete hardener?
It is used for coloring and hardening freshly placed concrete flat work to produce an aesthetically pleasing pavement with a surface that is substantially harder and more wear-resistant than regular concrete. This coloring method can be utilized for concrete applications (salt finishes, broom finishes, rotary finishes, etc.), as well as vertical surfaces and other types of architectural concrete.
What is shake on color hardener?
Most shake-on color hardeners are a blend of pigments, finely graded silica sand, wetting agents, and portland cement. Coloring options come in a wider array of hues than integral colors, including various shades of blue and green (see this page for color hardener suppliers).
Is integral color hardener better than dry shake?
But a dry shake may not always be the most economical choice if you factor in the additional labor involved to apply it and work it into the surface. Also remember that when using lighter shades of color hardener, you will need to use more product to get good results.
What is dry shake hardener?
Dry-shake color hardeners come as a powder that is hand broadcast onto freshly placed concrete and then worked into the surface with a float or trowel. Unlike integral pigments, which color the entire concrete matrix, hardeners color only the top surface layer. Because the color is concentrated at the surface, it tends to be more intense ...
Can concrete be colored?
Whether your concrete is new or old, indoors or outdoors, it can be enhanced with color. In the hands of a creative concrete contractor , these coloring mediums permit an endless array of decorative effects.
What is colored concrete?
Colored concrete can transform a room or patio from plain to spectacular. Many manufacturers offer a broad palette of colors to choose from, ranging from earth tones to vibrant hues ( color samples ). Also, colored concrete can be used to simulate the look of brick, flagstone, pavers, or tile. Not only is concrete coloring a beautiful design ...
Why do people color concrete?
Coloring concrete to mimic nature. Color schemes are often chosen to blend with each other and blend with nature. Sometimes concrete is colored and finished to look like a gravel path. Often it is necessary to have the permanence of concrete (and the durability).
What is a concrete color hardener?
Color hardener is used to color the surface of the concrete. It's used a lot for stamped concrete. This powdered color is broadcast over the surface of the concrete soon after it is placed. The moisture in the concrete wets the powder and it is then floated into the surface with a hand float or a fresno. Knowing how to color concrete and the ...
Where do you put color in concrete?
They are added to the concrete mix at the concrete plant or on the job-site. It's mixed right in the concrete truck making the process very easy. You can purchase the color from a concrete supply store and bring it to the concrete plant the day before the pour. Adding it at the plant allows the color to mix while in transit to the job-site.
Can integral color be used on concrete?
The integral color works great on its own or it can be used as a back drop to be accented with concrete stain or concrete dye. The layering of multiple colors allows many variegated tones to be produced that can mimic natural stone, brick, wood, and tile.
