How Thick Do You Apply Color Hardener to Concrete?

Coverage

• Normal application of color hardener for residential projects is two applications of about 25 to 30 pounds each to cover 100 square feet. For commercial projects, where the surface is expected to hold up to more traffic and harder wear, a total of 90 to 120 pounds per 100 square feet spread in two or three applications is recommended.

Application Tips

• To prepare the color hardener for spreading, open the bag and aerate the powder by running your gloved hands through it several times to make it flow smoothly. Broadcast the powder by hand after you have screeded, or smoothed, the just-poured concrete, but wait until the concrete is firm but still wet. Apply the powder evenly about 1/8 inch thick. Avoid mounding the product, or all of it will not penetrate to the wet concrete and color will be lost. Gently spray the concrete with an evaporation retardant in hot weather if necessary so that the surface remains moist enough to accept the color, but do not spray the surface with water, as this will reduce color intensity and cause streaks.

Float It

• Thoroughly work each application of color hardener into the concrete with a wood float so that it completely penetrates the concrete surface layer. If a nonskid surface is desired, broadcast the second layer of color hardener but do not float it out, so the surface retains a grainy texture.

Composition

• Your desired color and the color of the concrete base also affect how much of the color hardener to use. For example, light colors usually require that you use more product, and a gray concrete substrate will slightly darken the finished color. You may combine colors for one-of-a-kind effects such as subtle marbling. Practice on a small concrete pour to be sure you get the finished color that you desire.