Which owner of a summer cottage or individual housing does not think to make the landscape unique and memorable? This can be achieved not only by creating alpine hills and rockeries, arranging arbors, flower beds and ponds. An unusual "highlight" in addition to the scenery can make garden paths laid out from paving slabs. Multi-colored mosaics and borders can give special originality and elegance, and dyes for paving slabs will help in this.
What is concrete dye
The dye for concrete, in other words pigment, is a special fine powder, which serves as a filler and has certain properties due to its chemical composition. Here are the main ones:
- insoluble in water and solvents;
- not amenable to exposure to drying oil, resins and similar aggressive environments;
- heat resistant;
- lightfast, but some artificial pigments fade over time;
- it is not affected by alkaline cement;
- independent of weather conditions;
- not amenable to heat and frost.
For staining, two methods are used:
- The first one is that pigment dyes for paving slabs are added to the concrete at the mixing stage, this leads to through dyeing of the material.
- In the second case, acrylic paint is applied to the outer surface of already made tiles.
The second method is much cheaper, but it has a drawback: over time, under the mechanical influence, wear will occur, and the shade of the surface will first fade, and then completely erase. It will have to be updated periodically.
What are the pigments
Depending on the origin, dyes for paving slabs are divided into organic and mineral. By the method of obtaining them are divided into artificial (synthetic), natural (natural) and metal.
Mineral artificial pigments are obtained using heat treatment of raw materials and chemical processes, for example, burnt umber and ocher, iron salts. Such dyes are distinguished by good coloring ability and resistance to chemicals and temperature changes.
Natural inorganic dyes are powders obtained by various types of processing from mountain minerals and rocks, for example, iron oxides (yellow and red), cobalt, manganese, chromium. Such pigments are easy to use and have a low cost. With the help of them, muted natural shades are obtained.
Metallic dyes are made from alloys of non-ferrous metals and iron salts.
How to achieve color purity
To obtain a pure color after painting, use exclusively white cement.
When dye for paving slabs is introduced into concrete , the proportions must be strictly observed. Pigments with high coloring ability are introduced into the concrete solution in an amount of 2-5% by weight of the binder. And dyes with a small such characteristic are added in an amount up to 8%.
The color of the concrete to be painted largely depends on the proportions of water and cement, and on how much material is taken to make the concrete. This is due to the fact that when the composition begins to harden, the excess moisture from it evaporates, leaving small pores in the thickness. They scatter light that comes in and the concrete looks lighter.
Paints for self-coloring
It is not possible to make a dye for paving slabs with your own hands, but you can paint on top already laid track elements yourself.
It is necessary to paint in dry, calm weather, without precipitation. The air temperature must exceed + 10 ° C.
For coloring tiles take acrylic paints. They are divided into several types:
- Alkyd. The paint withstands chemical and atmospheric effects. After application, it practically does not smell.
- Polyurethane Paint of high viscosity, increased resistance to chemistry, atmospheric changes and shocks. It should also be borne in mind that such paints can slightly change their shade after drying, and over time they fade.
- Rubber Water-based paint, elastic, prevents cracking, resistant to water and wear. In addition, it is low toxic, adheres well to the surface, and does not slip.
Preparation and completion of painting
Dyes for paving slabs require a responsible attitude, therefore, the preparation and completion of paint work are perhaps the most important processes in the whole business.
First of all, you need to thoroughly clean the track - the adhesion of the paint to concrete and the evenness of the painted surface depend on this. Washing a track with a detergent is ideal. After that, you need to carefully remove its residues. Also, to remove small particles from the surface and between the tiles, a regular vacuum cleaner or a stiff brush is useful. This process is dusty and time-consuming, so it will be nice to carry it out in special clothes.
Finished concrete is stained in several layers. After applying the first, the surface must be well dried according to the instructions for the dye. When applying the second and subsequent layers, the paint must be mixed and dried between the layers.
It will be possible to use the finished coating only after a few days, since it should gain the necessary strength.
Concrete track surface painting
The painting process can be divided into the following stages:
- After cleaning, dry the surface well.
- A brush is useful for painting small elements, and for painting a large surface you will need a roller on a long handle.
- If several colors are stained at the same time, then more than one container will be needed. Dyes for paving slabs of the desired color are poured into the prepared vessels. This is usually required if the track is made up of small elements and a pre-designed pattern or ornament is applied to it.
- Proceed to staining. This is a responsible process, during which caution and care are needed. The paint should be applied in a uniform layer, without sagging and stains, carefully distributed with a brush or roller. It is imperative to ensure that during painting the particles of dust, dirt, twigs, leaves and more do not get on the surface. It is also necessary to control that bubbles do not form on the painted layer.
Making colored tiles on your own
The process itself looks like this:
- Prepare a concrete mixer or a container for mixing the mortar, moisten the inner walls.
- Dissolve the plasticizer in hot (75 ° C) water, it needs about 0.5% of the dry weight of the whole composition.
- Colorants for paving slabs are not added dry. Inorganic powder pigment is diluted with water to the consistency of sour cream and stand for an hour. After that, the pigment suspension is added to the concrete. It is necessary to monitor the correct use of proportions, since excess pigment will lead to a deterioration in the performance of concrete. Mix the solution evenly. If lumps remain and float, then shells form on the surface.
- All components are loaded for mixing, plasticizer and dye - last. The solution is thoroughly mixed and fits tightly into the mold.
- Dry the finished elements for several days, periodically wetting.
Cost
Today, colored concrete products are gaining popularity, so buying a dye for paving slabs, the price of which depends on its type, will not be difficult.
You need to know that liquid dyes are about three times cheaper than dry powder pigments.
The cost of the dye depends on its type, color and manufacturer: acrylic paints can be purchased at a price of 50 to 80 rubles per kilogram, and inorganic pigment powder costs from 7 to 15 rubles per kilogram.
In addition to pigments for the manufacture of a garden path, you need to buy a plastic mold that will make the path attractive and unusual. If there is no special shape, ordinary bricks can be made.