 
Iron oxide powders are the most common colorants used
for dyeing concrete. Oxides come in a wide range
of earth tones- brick reds, ochres, browns, black, greens.
Order
your pigments from us today.
The simplest decorative use of powdered oxide is to incorporate
it into the still-wet concrete, adding powder until you're
satisfied with the strength of the color. Generally,
3-4 tablespoons pigment per stepstone and 1 1/2 tablespoon
per Edging Stone stone will produce a pleasing saturation.
Take notes on how much you add; you can then fine-tune the
saturation in your second round of pouring. Note too, that
colors will appear slightly muted and muddied while the concrete
is still wet, so resist adding extra pigment.
Or sprinkle small quantities of dry pigment (a little goes
a long way) on the bottom of the mold before the cement is
poured in; this yields a pretty mottling in the finished stone.
Try using two or even three complimentary colors. Another interesting
technique is marbelizing. Mix up a batch of concrete, remove
a portion of the batch and add dye. Now loosely combine both
batches, stirring just enough to create swirls of distinct
colors. Pour into the mold. return to top
All specialty paint stores such as Sherwin-Williams, Miller
Paint, Home Depot, etc. will sell quarts and gallons of concrete
paint, tinted to your specification. These paints have been
specially formulated for the outdoors.
After demolding your stone, allow it to cure for
10 days or so before painting. The surface must be
scrubbed with a mild soap solution or vinegar, then allowed
to dry before the application of paint. Stones which have
been completely covered with concrete paint will need no sealants.
Over time, painted stepstones subject to heavy foot traffic
or extreme temperatures may begin to thin or flake, but they're
easy to repaint. Don't bother remove the stone from the ground-
simply scrub the stone with a wire brush dipped in mild dish
soap solution, rinse, then allow to dry before repainting.
Concrete paints can also be found in 2-ounce bottles at
most large craft outlets; here however, they go by the name
of Patio Paints. If your project isn't large, Patio Paints
are the way to go. Several colors are also available for purchase
on our website. return to top
There are two simple techniques to beautifully accentuate
the design surface of the stones. Each takes just a few minutes
of time. return to top
A wash is an accent color which lays in the recesses
of the design surface. Washes can be made using either
iron oxide powder mixed with Portland cement, or with concrete
paints; these two different mediums will produce two different
finished looks. The procedures for creating both washes are
as follows:
Portland Cement/Iron Oxide Wash:
Combine approximately 1 cup Portland cement with
2 tablespoons iron oxide pigment. Add enough water to create
a "slurry" the consistency of loose pancake batter.
Concrete Paint Wash:
You probably won't need large quantities of paint
for your washes, so use Patio Paints, found on our website
or at most large craft outlets. To make a paint
wash, squeeze a couple tablespoonsfuls of paint into a plastic
container and mix with enough water to create a smooth-flowing
emulsion.
To apply a wash, brush the color over the entire surface
of the stone, especially into all the nooks and crannies
of the design. Have on-hand a few rags and a gallon pail
filled with warm water. After the wash has been applied,
wipe only the top surface with the moistened towel. Rinse
the towel between swipes. After a few passes, the surface
should be clean; the accent color will be pooled beautifully
in the background.
As mentioned earlier, iron oxide washes give the stone a
different finish than washes made from Patio Paint. Because
iron oxide washes have "body" due to the Portland
cement, the finished look is less defined, more rustic. Washes
made from the thinner paint solutions lend more crispness
and detail to the stone's texture.
Portland cement/iron oxide washes should be applied
to the stone immediately following demolding while
the stone is still "green" and relatively uncured.
This lack of cure will allow better chemical bonding between
the wash and the stone. After 10 days or so, apply a sealant.
Paint washes, however, should be applied after the
stone has cured for about 10 days. Allow the paint
to dry for 24 hours then apply a sealant.
Brush color over entire
surface of stone |
Wipe only the surface with a moistened towel |
The accent color is pooled
in the background |
An overlay is the opposite of a wash. Overlays are
applied to the top design surface of the stone only;
the recesses of the design remain free of added color.
Overlays are very simple to apply. Don a pair of latex gloves
and squirt out a teaspoon of patio paint (undiluted) into
the palm of your hand. Rub this paint between your hands until
you form a thin, even film. With the palm of your hand held
flat, lightly swipe across the surface of the design. Color
will be begin building up on the high points. You can add
as little or as much color as you like, or add second and
third colors for more accent.
For stepping stones subject to heavy foot traffic, patio
paint will hold up much better than iron oxide as an overlay.
Create a thin layer of paint
evenly across latex gloves |
Lightly swipe across the surface
of the design |
Color builds up on
high points |
One other interesting finish for your stepping stones
is a moss or lichen-covered surface. It takes a long
time for moss to establish by itself, but you can hasten the
process considerably. Here's how:
- Gather a few handfuls of moss or lichen, cleaning out
any rock or debris.
- In a blender combine 2 cups of buttermilk or yogurt with
the moss; puree until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
3 or 4 ounces of potter's clay (found in any arts or crafts
supply store) can be added optionally. This thickens the
mixture, and helps retain moisture after the slurry is spread
on the stone.
Another interesting growing medium includes fish fertilizer.
Use the above formulation, adding 1/4 cup fish emulsion
to the blend.
- Premoisten the stepping stones with a mister or garden
hose, then apply the mossy slurry with a paint brush. Keep
the rocks in a shady location, spraying daily to maintain
consistent dampness. return to top
|
