Stamped Concrete Coloring Options
What is color hardener?
What’s integral color?
Proline Powdered Integral Colors are packaged in 25-pound bags. Each color chip includes a name, color code, and dosage rate per yard of concrete. Integral Colors are used in ready mix, architectural pre-cast, cast-in-place, tilt up, ornamental concrete, shot-crete, mortar, pavers, roof tile, stucco, concrete masonry, retaining wall units, and other cement-based construction materials. These products are designed for mix-in use only and should not be sprinkled onto the surface of the concrete.
What’s acid stain?
What’s a water-based stain?
EZ-Accent is a water-based acrylic stain that is formulated to accent any decorative concrete surface. It is translucent and designed to blend with the base color over which it is applied. It can be applied to flatwork, vertical surfaces and rockscapes. Colors can be mixed. This product comes already mixed and ready to use. The coverage rate is approximately 200 – 500 sf per gallon. Do not over apply this product which can be applied using a variety of techniques including pump sprayer, hand sprayer or rolling, brushing, sponging, and ragging. Water can be sprayed on during the application to blend colors and soften hard edges. This product is easy to clean up while wet with water but once it’s dried a chemical paint remover will be needed. This product is strongly recommended if user would like a natural looking rock or wood surface. Experiment with colors on all types of concrete stamped surface to achieve original and natural looking work. Don’t be afraid to use several different colors. This product should be applied before EZ-Tique if you are planning to use both products.
EZ-Tique is sold as a powder but is meant to be mixed with water and applied as a liquid antiquing wash. It can be used to revitalize an old concrete surface or add dimension to a freshly textured surface. It’s non-hazardous and water based. The most basic technique is to wet the concrete surface with water, then pour the EZ-Tique onto the surface and use a push broom to spread product around. Keep clean water on hand to add as needed to help the product spread evenly. This product can be cleaned up easily with water while wet. One 3 lb tub covers approximately 2000 – 3000 sf. The outcome will be color in the deeper areas of the stamp similar to the look achieved by using Antique Release. Be sure to seal this (as with all the color techniques) to ensure longer lasting color.
Smith’s Floor Color is a water-based acrylic stain developed to achieve a decorative natural appearance on concrete floors and other porous mediums. The stain adheres to a variety of surfaces including interior and exterior concrete, brick, plaster, and natural stone. It can also be applied to previously sealed concrete surfaces which allows the applicator to save time. Smith’s can be applied via an airbrush, a high-volume low-pressure sprayer, airless sprayer, production gun, pump sprayer, sea sponge, and transitional brittle brush. Best results are achieved when a mist is created. Smith’s comes as a liquid to be mixed at a ratio of 4 parts distilled water to 1 part concentrate or it can be diluted with more water if desired. The surface must be prepped and cleaned according to manufacturer’s specifications prior to application.
How can I revitalize the color of old, faded stamped concrete?
What if I want to change ethe overall color of my concrete or match existing concrete to a new project?
Proline’s ProStain is their opaque water-based stain. Available in almost 40 colors, it is a high-quality stain made for use with existing unsealed interior or exterior concrete surfaces. It penetrates the surface of concrete and forms a breathable finish that can be sealed when dry. View .
Concrete Stamping
Do I need more than one stamp to effectively stamp concrete?
What is a “package” of concrete stamps?
Will the concrete stamps work for overlay as well as new concrete?
What is a Thin Flex concrete stamp?
Can I use a Thin Flex to stamp my entire stamp concrete project?
I can’t get close enough to the wall with a stamp - what do I do?
What’s a Touch Up Skin?
What are the concrete stamps made from?
How do I care for my concrete stamps?
Clean your concrete stamps after use with a mild soap and soft brush. Proline’s Pro-Revive is a stamp conditioner that renews, restores, and extends the life of concrete stamps, texture mats, table molds, and other polyurethane surfaces. If the concrete stamps, texture mats, or table molds have dried cement on them, use Proline’s Dura-Etch or similar product to loosen and remove the dried cement. Surfaces should be clean prior to the Pro-Revive application. Clean surfaces with Proline’s Dura-Clean or similar detergent/cleaner and a stiff broom, then rinse and let dry. DO NOT PRESSURE WASH STAMPS, TEXTURE MATS, or TABLE MOLDS.
Stamped Concrete Release Agents
What is release agent?
Proline’s Antique Release powder comes in over 20 colors. Important note: do NOT use powdered release on Proline’s Seamless Magnetic Skins.
Proline’s Dura-Liquid Release promotes the release of stamps and texturing tools. Your project will have better results if the tools don’t stick to the wet concrete. The release is applied the tools and skins and directly to the surface of fresh concrete before stamping. This liquid product is less messy to apply than powders but it provides no color. For adding an antiquing color similar to that of what is produced with colored powder release, check out EZ-Tique.
Do I have to use a release agent?
What’s antique release?
What is a liquid release agent?
Stampable Overlay
What’s overlay?
Overlay can effectively repair cracked concrete. The concrete can be stamped and colored like new once repaired. For concrete overlays, Proline’s Color Packs can be used for your base color and products like Accent or EZ-Tique are great for highlighting and antiquing. This replaces color hardener and antique release in this application. Proline Pro-Stamp transforms plain concrete into a stampable surface that can receive any decorative or textured finish. Proline ProSurfacer, another product that can restore and repair stained and cracked concrete, is a high strength polymer concrete overlay. It can be colored, stained, or broom finished, and even in overlay applications and used as a patch and leveling compound.
Where can concrete overlays be used?
Concrete overlays can be applied to various surfaces, including driveways, walkways, patios, pool decks, and interior floors. They are suitable for both residential and commercial properties. The key requirement is that the existing concrete surface is structurally sound enough to support the overlay. It’s popular for upgrading or revitalizing old, worn, or discolored concrete surfaces.
What are the benefits of using a concrete overlay?
Can concrete overlay be added to existing concrete?
How durable is overlay?
How do you maintain a concrete overlay?
Stamped Concrete Sealers
Do I need to seal my concrete after stamping and coloring?
Yes, because sealing maintains your concrete’s color. Sealing also enriches the color intensity, no matter if the color is integral, a stain or dye, or from color hardener. Sealers can add high gloss or a matte finish. Concrete sealers make the surface easier to clean by preventing dirt, oil, and grease from penetrating the concrete, and prevent wear and tear. More importantly, sealers minimize freeze-thaw damage by reducing freeze-thaw damage. Concrete should be sealed every two years or more frequently if it’s exposed to extreme weather. For more, read To Seal or Not to Seal Concrete.
What’s the difference with sealers?
There are other types of sealers such as polyurethanes, epoxies and penetrating resins. In general, the epoxy or polyurethane sealers cost more than acrylics and tend to be more slippery. They also may not allow for moisture vapor to move out of the concrete if applied incorrectly. If the sealer doesn’t allow for moisture vapor and air to move in and out, a white hazing or fogging can occur. This can be prevented by avoiding moisture in the sealing process. Strictly adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations for allowing the concrete to cure fully before applying the sealer if required. Also, be sure to apply the sealer to the appropriate thickness required for the sealer. Applying a sealer too thickly will prevent the water moisture from passing through the sealer and result in a foggy appearance. MSDS and product information sheets are available for all of the sealers we sell. Read them fully before applying the sealer and call or email with any questions.
It’s important to always select a sealer that will protect your decorative concrete from foot traffic and weather. If you are sealing a driveway or garage that will be subjected to grease and oil, you’ll need a sealer that specifically repels these stains, resists water intrusion and abrasions. Primarily, the sealer used for exterior concrete flatwork is a solvent based or water based acrylic. For interior concrete work, a sealer with good resistance to scuffs and stains such as polyurethane or epoxy would be best and easiest to maintain. A good concrete surface protector such as Calico Top Finish would also help to protect your already sealed surface. Acrylic sealers are often used on exterior concrete surfaces because they breathe well and provide good water resistance. Ideally, concrete sealers should allow moisture vapor within the surface to escape so that you don’t have a foggy appearance or clouding. Epoxies are excellent for water repellence and oil and grease spills but must be applied correctly to prevent the restricted release of moisture vapor.Non-Slip Additives
What can I do about slippery concrete?
Proline’s Dura-Grip is an easy addition to decorative sealers to add slip resistance to a decorative concrete project. Ideal for patios, walkways, and other high traffic areas where slip resistance is desired. Dura-Grip is a micronized polymer which, when added to Proline’s Dura-Seal, offers slip-resistance, fine texturing and a subtle reduction of gloss. Dura-Grip is available in two convenient sizes; a 16 oz container is available to be mixed in with a 5 gallon container of Proline Dura-Seal and a 4 oz container is available to be used with a 1 gallon size sealer.
Why should I use non-slip concrete additives?
The primary reason to use non-slip concrete additives is to enhance safety by increasing the slip resistance of concrete surfaces, especially in frequently wet, oily, or icy areas. This is particularly important for public spaces, commercial establishments, pool decks, patios, driveways, and walkways. Using non-slip additives can help prevent accidents, reduce liability risks, and ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations.
Can non-slip additives be used in both new and existing concrete?
How do I maintain surfaces treated with non-slip concrete additives?
How should I apply the product?
Decorative Stamped Concrete
How often should I seal decorative concrete?
What is decorative stamped concrete?
Decorative stamped concrete is used to imprint or stamp designs into freshly poured concrete to create textures and patterns resembling natural stone, brick, slate, flagstone, tile, and even wood. This process involves pouring slab concrete, adding color, and then pressing patterns into the surface before it fully dries. The result is a durable, continuous surface that offers both the strength of concrete and the aesthetic appeal of more decorative materials.
Where can stamped concrete be used?
What makes a stamped concrete job really stand out?
Taking the time to add concrete accent pieces, medallions, and border art is a great way to customize your project. Make your job unique with any one of our stamped concrete medallions available in a large array of sizes, like the 3’ Flaming Sun Skin or the impressive 13’ 16-point Star Medallion. Your customer may love the Compass Rose Medallion colored with Accent and EZ-Tique or not colored at all. We offer smaller hand carved items too; garden accents such as a dragonfly, hummingbird, and butterflies. If wildlife is more your style, there are fish, leaves, horses, moose and deer to name a few. We even have all kinds of animal tracks such as bear paws, even a dinosaur print. Border art is available in the popular Grapevine, Daisies, Wild Mustangs, Autumn Ivy, Dolphins, and many more.
Set your work apart, take fabulous pictures of your jobs, share in our online gallery and social media, and increase your customer base. We love to showcase our customer’s projects. For more, read 5 Ways to Make Your Project Stand Out.
Can faded or cracked concrete be repaired?
Most of the time, yes! Concrete can deteriorate due to age but there are ways to repair it. Faded concrete can be restored using products like Proline’s Accent Water-Based Acrylic Stain, EZ-Tique Antiquing Wash, or Smith’s water-based color products. Not only are they easy to use but they give a faded concrete a pop of color. They are easy to use and give faded concrete a nice pop of color. Note that the concrete’s surface must be porous for the color to adhere.
Overlay is an effective and affordable way to repair cracked concrete. Once fixed, the concrete can be stamped and colored like new. For concrete overlays, use Proline’s Color Packs for your base color and products like Accent or EZ-Tique for highlighting and antiquing. Proline Pro-Stamp transforms plain concrete into a surface that can be stamped with any decorative, textured finish. Proline ProSurfacer, a high strength polymer concrete overlay, is another product that can restore and repair stained and cracked concrete. For more, read How to Repair Cracked Concrete.
Stamped Concrete Edge Liners
What is a concrete edge liner?
A concrete stamp edge liner is used around counter tops, fire pits, stairs, concrete benches, etc. We sell a variety of textures and edges including bull nose, flat, and hammered edge, as well as no texture to the more aggressive textures like Denali and Yukon.
Can concrete edge liners be reused?
What types of patterns and textures are available with concrete edge liners?
Concrete edge liners come in a wide variety of patterns and textures, including those that replicate natural stone edges like slate, flagstone, and river rock; wood textures such as bark or grain patterns; and more geometric or decorative designs like rope, brick, or cobblestone. This variety allows for customization and creativity in concrete projects, enabling homeowners and contractors to match the edge designs with the overall theme or decor of the surrounding area.
Stamped Concrete Form Liners
What is a form liner?
A form liner is generally attached to a form to provide texture and/or a pattern. They can be used to create fire pits, concrete benches, and more. Proline offers a variety of form liners including Ledger Stone, River Rock, and a Travertine Ashlar pattern. The forms are meant to work with Sonotube and 4 forms would work inside a 4’ Sonotube.
How do concrete form liners work?
Concrete form liners are installed inside the formwork—the temporary or permanent molds into which concrete is poured—to shape the visible face of the concrete once it hardens. The liner’s surface comes into direct contact with the wet concrete, and as the concrete cures, it takes on the texture or pattern of the liner. After the concrete has sufficiently hardened, the formwork and liner are carefully removed, revealing the textured concrete surface designed to mimic various natural and man-made materials.
Can concrete form liners be reused?
What types of textures and patterns are available with concrete form liners?
Stamped Concrete Tampers
What is a stamped concrete tamper?
A stamped concrete tamper is a tool used when stamping concrete to ensure that the stamps or texturing tools make a uniform impression on the concrete surface. These tampers are typically made of metal or heavy-duty composite materials and come in various sizes to accommodate different stamp patterns and project requirements.
What is the purpose of a stamped concrete tamper?
How is a stamped concrete tamper used?
How do I get the impressions into the concrete?
At some point while you are stamping, the concrete is going to start to get really hard. You will need a tamper, often referred to as a pounder, to tamp the stamps into the concrete. Tampers are available in a 12” and 16” base with a 4’ handle. We also have a handheld 7” base tamper called the Billy Banger to save your hands from slapping the concrete in smaller corners and when imprinting accent pieces or border art.
Concrete Stamping Product Shipping
When will my order ship?
Do you ship your concrete stamping products outside of the U.S?
Yes, please contact us via email at info@fitfoodiemama.com or by phone at 800.221.9469 and let us know what you would like to order, the shipping address, and whether or not you would like the products to ship via air or sea. We will then obtain a shipping quote for you.
Can you ship the concrete stamps expedited or via overnight delivery?
It depends on the order. Many of the concrete stamps are too large to ship via overnight carrier, but some orders are no problem at all. We can offer you expedited shipping options and quotes if you contact us by phone or email. Please be sure to let us know your shipping address, whether it is residential or commercial, and the items and quantities you would like to order. For large items, products are often sent on a LTL Freight carrier. In order to get an accurate shipping quote and not have additional charges apply, please let us know if you have a fork lift or equipment that can remove a pallet from a truck.