01
FAQ
A: The following video shows one example of how concrete is poured, colored, stamped, and finished.
Q: What is the process of installing stamped concrete?
02
Be wary that powder release can be tracked onto carpet and stain the interior or your home. It is a good idea to keep children and pets away from powder release until the concrete is fully washed off.
Q: What precautions should I take after powder release is applied to concrete?
A:
03
Q: Does concrete colored with Davis Colors fade?
The color can't fade, but the concrete can. The active ingredient in every Davis product is pure inorganic pigment which is made in a process of oxidizing metal, in essence, "fading" metal into a pigment powder. The resulting powder pigment concentrate is impossible to fade. That's why it's the same active ingredient in another permanent coloring application: tatoos. Concrete, on the other hand does change with time and weather exposure. Even uncolored concrete which turns yellow, erodes and darkens as it accumulates dirt, dust and grime from the environment. Left unprotected or weakened by a poor mix design or finishing job, the surface of concrete "dusts" and erodes slowly until fine aggregate and sand particles are exposed. This same process occurs in colored concrete. The solution is to buy concrete from a supplier who offers mixes designed for durability and an installer with experience in finishing "architectural" concrete. Then keep colored concrete fresh looking by protecting it with periodic applications of a good clear sealer.
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04
A:
If you're a homeowner, the best place to start is through research online. Websites such as Yelp, Angie's List, or our website, Winsolgroundworks.com can help you find concrete or landscape contractors appropriate for your job.
If you're an architect, just specify the Davis Color you want in plans or specifications.
Q: Where can I get colored concrete?
05
A:
Q: How much does integral color add to concrete cost?
Approximately 10% to 30% to the cost of the concrete itself. But it only adds a fraction to the total installed cost, since most colored concrete is mixed and finished in the same way as uncolored concrete. The answer depends on the color you choose and whether you take advantage of all the fancy finishes and textures that skilled contractors are capable of.
Color hardener is 10% to 30% of its cost in addition to costs for labor for installation.
06
A:
I was told to occasionally sprinkle water on my fresh colored concrete. Is that OK?
NO. Sprinkling water on fresh concrete is a common way of curing uncolored concrete. The problem is it can lighten or whiten the concrete and that looks bad on colored concrete. If you have hard water, sprinkling it on the concrete can also cause a lot of efflorescence (white salt deposits) to form which also looks bad on colored concrete. The best way to cure colored concrete is with an application of concrete sealer or same-day sealer. Some solvent-base sealers work well, but most water-based sealers don't work. They may also turn white or could yellow with sun exposure
Q:
Yes, colored concrete will get good and hard just like normal concrete. However, all concrete benefits from being sealed against stains and water damage. Sealing your colored concrete will make it look good longer and will help prevent dusting of the surface. Keep in mind, due to regulations by the California Environmental Protection Agency, Air Resources Board, the allowed application of sealer will last only 6 months to 1 year. Reapplication will be needed for concrete maintenance.
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Q:
Do I need to apply sealer?
07
08
Fresh concrete is always much darker than when it is fully cured and dry. Even uncolored concrete. Wait at least 30 days to 6 months until the new concrete has hardened and dried. If the concrete is on a wet subgrade or there's underground water, it may stay dark for as long as it's wet.
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Q:
My new colored concrete is much darker than the color card.
Why is that?
09
If the concrete is new, that is less than two weeks old, it could still be drying. However, if some of the dark spots seem to be staying dark while the rest of the concrete is drying out, you may have areas of "Entrapped Moisture". Entrapped moisture is a condition that appears as random dark areas which can be completely different in shade from unaffected areas. It may also precisely follow areas that were "hard troweled" or where edging and jointing tools were used. Remedy entrapped moisture by scrubbing the dark spots with a stiff bristle brush and flushing with water. Repeat the process over a few days and they should lighten up. If your concrete is older than two weeks, wet the dark spots with water, then pour on some white vinegar and scrub with the stiff brush. Entrapped moisture takes a few treatments to disappear.
A:
Q:
My colored concrete has some areas where it's much darker than other spots. Why?
10
Unfortunately, Not. The final color is a function of the cement color, sand color, the amount of water used as well as finishing methods. We only guarantee that our color additives will match our standard, that is, they will be the same from batch-to-batch and year-to-year. Winsol Groundworks can produce samples to give you the most accurate representation to your project. Keep in mind that the same can still be slightly different than what is finished at your project.
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Q:
Can you guarantee the color will match the color card?
Our integral concrete colors are provided by Davis Colors™.
FAQ's 3 through 10 are provided by Davis Colors Support.
For more details and options for your home improvement projects,
please visit http://www.daviscolors.com.
