The water-based, polymer-bonded technology in penetrating stains minimizes the possibility of it fading, peeling or flaking while being VOC-friendly.
However, over time exposure to weather, traffic, chemicals and other harmful elements will cause film-forming stains to fad, peel or flake.Ī more permanent alternative to film-forming stains are penetrating stains, which are designed to literally penetrate deeper into the pores of concrete and bond to the concrete. Like paint, film-forming stains simply coat or lay on top of a concrete surface to add color to a concrete surface. All three types of stains come in a variety of colors, tints, shades and textures, but each uses different technology to create distinct decorative looks.įilm-forming stains have been around the longest and are still very common today. Unlike dyes, concrete stains are generally classified into three categories: film-forming, penetrating and acid stains. “These special ‘exterior dyes’ or pigments come in vibrant colors as well and are UV stable.” “Recently, manufacturers have used the term ‘dye’ for exterior pigments,” says Brett Cline, Sales Manager, Super-Krete of Texas. The raw form of a dye is a super fine powder that depending on manufacturing can be dispersed in a solvent or water. Dyes are a great way to color existing slabs of concrete and they offer a wide range of color options which will dry very quickly. Let’s take a closer look at three different product types that help you turn your concrete surface into an amazing piece of art - dyes, stains, and pigments.ĭyes can be defined as a coloring material or matter for imparting a particular hue to a surface.