How to Stamp & Dye Cement

Stamping Cement

• 1

  Pour the cement and allow the water to begin drawing out of it. The cement is firm enough to stamp if an indentation appears when you press your finger into it about a half inch.

• 2

  Apply a cement releasing agent to the relatively firm cement to keep the stamp from sticking to the surface. The release agent can be broadcast over the area, tossing it by hand, or it can be painted on with a paintbrush. Cover the area you are stamping, but not too thickly.

• 3

  Position the first concrete stamp in place at the corner of your surface and press it firmly by hand. Lay the second stamp into position and lock them together. Continue until all the stamps have been placed, then gently tamp them down with a hand tamper.

• 4

  Move back to the first stamp and lift it straight up, being careful not to drag the edges or corners. Continue removing the stamps, lifting one, skipping the next, then lifting the third and so on, until all the stamps have been removed.

• 5

  Sweep the stamped cement the next day, removing the bulk of the releasing agent. Some of the release agent will be embedded in the cement and will not come off; that is normal and gives the cement a two-toned effect. Rinse the cement surface after collecting the releasing agent.

Dyeing Cement

• 6

  Combine ultra surface concrete dye with acetone according to the manufacturer's instructions. Different size containers of dye will require different amounts of acetone. Pour the dye into an acetone-resistant pump sprayer.

• 7

  Begin spraying while holding the sprayer over a bucket or cloth to avoid uneven patches of color. Move the sprayer in a circular motion over the stamped concrete to achieve the desired color effects.

• 8

  Combine two or more colors by spraying sections unevenly, so the secondary color can fill in the spaces. Allow the dyed cement to dry thoroughly before allowing traffic on it. This drying process should take four to six hours.

• 9

  Apply a layer of cement sealer to the dyed surface after 24 hours have passed. The sealer can be applied using a paint brush or paint roller. Allow the sealer to dry for four to six hours before allowing traffic on the area, and 24 hours for it to be completely cured.