
Plain Concrete
5 sack mix |

Non-glare gray
1 pint
per cubic yard |

Patio gray
2 pints
per cubic yard |

Dark Patio gray
4 pints
per cubic yard |

Slate gray
1 gallon
per cubic yard |

Ebony
2 gallons
per cubic yard |
Note: Colors shown are approximate and may vary slightly
with local cement and aggregates. One pint is generally
considered one pound.
Ask us about our bulk dispensing systems! Call for a free
consultation.
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Concrete Chemicals transforms carbon black, an intensely
black powder, into an easy-to-use black liquid. The trade
name for Concrete Chemicals’ liquid carbon black is
“Liquiblack.” An aqueous dispersion, Liquiblack is used to
color curbs, gutters, gas station pads, garden statuary,
stepping stones, and swimming pools. If it is cement, and
you wish to color it gray or black or any shade in between,
Liquiblack is the fast, clean, easy solution.
Liquiblack is an organic colorant widely used by Ready-Mix
concrete plants. Liquiblack is dispensed directly into the
truckload of concrete and delivered to the job site. For
smaller jobs, contractors can purchase gallons of Liquiblack
and pour the colorant directly into portable mixers. For
even smaller jobs, the do-it-your-selfer can pour smaller
amounts of Liquiblack into hand-mixing pails, adding just
enough colorant to achieve the desired shade of gray or
black.
Liquiblack can be purchased in bulk and dispensed from a 500
gallon tank, purchased by the pallet load of 48 cases of
gallons (192 gallons to the pallet), or in smaller numbers
of cases, or single bottles. Whatever the need, Liquiblack
is ready to give you the shade of black your job requires.
Liquiblack, the carbon
black colorant, is available through many suppliers
throughout the United States and Canada. Please refer to
COLOR SUPPLIERS above.
Warnings: Do not freeze Liquiblack. Liquiblack reduces the
effect of air entrained admixtures. Liquiblack coagulates in
direct contact with Calcium Chloride. If Calcium Chloride
must be used, thoroughly mix Liquiblack in mix first.

Guidelines for optimum
Uniformity of Concrete Color when using liquid colors.
Concrete Chemicals has researched common causes of the dark
spots or blotching which appears in concrete slabs
containing concrete colors.
The following 2 scenarios are almost always the cause of
surface discolorations regardless of type of pigment used (powder
or liquid.):
Finishing.
Improper finishing technique of colored concrete is the
number 1 cause of dark spots or blotchy appearance of the
surface of a concrete slab. Specifically, discoloration will
almost certainly occur with late or hard troweling.
Troweling should begin after bleed water is gone and be
completed while the concrete is still plastic yet stiff.
Some finishers might apply water to a surface to aid late
troweling which only makes blotchiness worse. This also
applies to brooming although dark spots are less likely with
brooming than troweling.
Curing. Not following the correct
curing procedures for colored concrete is the second most
likely cause of blotchy concrete. The surface should not be
allowed to dry for at least 5 days. This should be
accomplished with a curing agent. Using plastic sheets, saw
dust, sand or applying water can cause blotchiness.
Calcium chloride will darken any cementitious material so the use of calcium chloride may result in a darker color than desired. In some cases it may also increase mottling. We have found no evidence of incompatibility between calcium chloride and pigments with the exception of Liquiblack coagulating. Calcium chloride should be limited to 2% and if used with Liquiblack, thoroughly mix the Liquiblack in the batch then add calcium chloride, longer than normal mixing time may be needed to overcome any coagulation.
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Other tips not related to blotching but
which will assure consistency from batch to batch are:
1)
Optimum slump for any pigmented concrete is 4 to 5 inches.
Don't allow drivers to add water at the job site as each
driver will add a different amount resulting in a different
shade of color. If more than a 5 inch slump is required, use
a water reducer.
2) Add
concrete color to the mix at the same point in time during
the batching process.
3) Mixing
time should be consistent. This includes mixing time and
mixing speed in the ready mix truck... discourage drivers
from stopping for donuts on the way to the job site!
4) Be
sure that the ratio of the individual components of the
concrete (water, cement, aggregate) is the same. Also, don't
use different lots of cement, sand, gravel, etc. unless
you're sure they're identical.
5) The
subgrade must be uniformly graded, compacted, and thoroughly
moistened. Slab thickness should be uniform.
In
conclusion, problems with colored concrete might be an
indicator of concrete quality (or lack of). Properly
finished concrete and careful adherence to a few rules
should give consistently good results.
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Check our Color Suppliers page
for the location nearest you.
Being in business since 1957 has been our good fortune
because of all our valued customers. Thank you. We invite
you to contact us for more information --- toll free at
888-867-5701 or
email us. |