Concrete Colors of Texas

Concrete Colors of Texas Alkali Reactive Chemical Stains are a blend of metallic salts in a solution of acidic materials formulated to produce a variegated type of motif to new or old existing concrete. Since ARCS create their color by the process of chemical reactions. It is highly recommended that a field test application by done on all concrete to be stained before general installation occurs. Alkali Reactive Chemical Stains can be applied to old, new, plain or colored concrete surfaces. In an acidic, water-based solution, metallic salts then react with calcium hydroxide in hardened concrete. Colored compounds become a permanent stained part of the concrete. The top surface of the concrete opens up when the acid in chemical stains come in contact with the concrete, allowing metallic salts to reach the free lime deposits necessary to create the color desired. Water from the stain solution then fuels the reaction. In general, cements that produce larger amounts of calcium hydroxide during hydration will show more stain color, and higher cement contents produce more intense colors.

 

Alkali Reactive Chemical Stain (ARCS) are permanent and become part of the concrete matrix. They will not fade, crack, peel or chip away and will only wear as the concrete surface wears away. Coverage rate: Depending on the porosity of the concrete to be stained, Coverage will be approximately 150-200 square feet per gallon applied by a low pressure plastic pump-up type sprayer.

 

Continued presence of water will cause a reaction to continue for a long time, and stained concrete using blues and greens will slowly but surely turn brown or even black. Primarily, this provides a nice variation to the appearance of the concrete, but eventually, practically all the blue/green colors can change to brown or black. Because of the possible color shifts, it is advised against using these colors for exterior concrete. Interior slabs need to have a low moisture content before stain is applied.