Decorative Concrete Institute s1

DCI Dyes Decorative Concrete Technical Data Sheet Institute 8729 S. Flat Rock Road  Douglasville, GA 30134 877-DCI-8080

DCI dyes are solutions of extremely fine  Can be used alone as a primary entry or exit points so unwanted personnel transparent coloring agents designed to coloring agent or other trades do not walk on the cleaned penetrate existing concrete; color-  Conveniently packaged sizes or dyed floor. hardened concrete and cement-based 3. Limitations: The life expectancy of a toppings, offered in both Water-Based dyed floor is a function of the amount of and Solvent-Based formulations. They traffic and abrasion the floor is subject to. 5. Mixing: can be used for a multitude of other On-going maintenance should periodically Water-Based: DCI water-based dyes are applications such as diamond polished be considered to preserve the dyed floor. In packaged ready to use. Before use, make concrete, beautiful faux finishes for wall high traffic areas the use of a high sure the lid is tight and turn the container treatments, to enhance chemically stained performance coating or several coats of a upside down gently agitating the bottle / concrete, as well as a tinting agent for maintainer over the top of a previously container to make sure nothing has settled sealers. sealed floor should be used. Dyes should be to the bottom. If shaken too aggressively, used primarily on interior surfaces since the material could foam up. To achieve 1. Description: DCI dyes water-based fading could occur when exposed to softer or lighter colors, DCI water-based and solvent-based are offered in a ready- ultraviolet light. If used on an exterior dyes can be thinned with clean water. to-use range of colors. All of the water- application 5-10% color fading can be Unless a desired effect is trying to be based colors are compatible with each expected over time. Dripping or spilling the achieved, you should never dilute the dye other and can be blended together to dye can permanently contaminate the more than three parts water to one part create an unlimited range of color substrate. Care should be taken while dye. On polished concrete, do not dilute variations, as well as the solvent- based mixing, filling sprayers and applying. DCI water-based dye. formulations being compatible with each dyes cannot be used to hide surface other to blend together. DCI Dyes are imperfections such as patched areas or Test sampling is imperative so you know packaged in convenient pint size sample variations in the concrete since they are semi the shade of color obtained and how kits, pints, quarts, gallon and five-gallon translucent. Dyes should not be applied to readily the floor is accepting the dye. Try containers. When used properly, dyes can substrates colder than 40 degrees and a to conduct a representative test sample on produce a similar look to that of an acid maximum of 90 degrees. Do not allow the actual floor in an area that will not be stained floor. They can also be used on water-based dye to freeze. Solvent-based seen such as a closet or storeroom. problem areas where acid stain has not dye has an aggressive odor and is reacted or penetrated the surface as well flammable. Solvent-Based: DCI solvent-based dyes as to accent chemically stained floors or are also packaged ready to use. Before walls. The colors obtained with DCI dyes 4. Surface preparation: It is important that use, make sure the lid is tight and turn the broaden the artisan’s range of color the concrete substrate is clean and free of container upside down gently agitating possibilities that cannot be achieved when contaminants such as dry wall globs, dry the bottle / container to make sure nothing using a traditional acid stain. Interesting wall dust and dirt. Also, any sealers or paint has settled to the bottom. Solvent-based effects can be achieved when using a will need to be stripped and cleaned from dye can be thinned with either lacquer multitude of colors on your floor as well the surface prior to the dye application since thinner or acetone. DCI solvent based dye as faux finishing techniques. On regular they could act as a resist. On concrete, should not be thinned more than five parts concrete or toppings, it is mandatory to rotary scrubbing with a red or black pad thinner to one part dye unless a certain seal the dyed floor to lock the color in and while simultaneously squeegee vacuuming affect is trying to be achieved. Higher prevent leaching. On polished concrete it the residual is an excellent way of preparing thinning can greatly jeopardize the color is recommended to apply one to two light and cleaning the surface. On some toppings, intensity. On polished concrete, it is coats of DCI Polish Guard to help rotary scrubbing may be too aggressive and recommended to use the dye un-thinned. enhance and preserve the color. Please a simple damp mop may be sufficient to If thinning is required for a lighter color, refer to the technical guideline for DCI clean the surface prior to the dye thin at a rate of one part thinner to one Polish Guard for application techniques application. If diamond polishing, it is part dye. Test sampling is imperative so and coverage rates. usually best to apply DCI dyes somewhere you know the shade of color obtained and between 200 to 400 grit resin bonded how readily the floor is accepting the dye. 2. Benefits: diamonds depending on the equipment and Try to conduct a representative test  Intense colors diamond being used. Applying the Water- sample on the actual floor in an area that  Extremely easy to use Based dye after a higher grit than 400 will not be seen such as a closet or  Specialty techniques can be used diamond has been used could effect the storeroom.  Broad range of colors penetration and absorption of water-based  Can be used in conjunction with dye. Generally, the solvent based dye is best 6. Application: acid stained floors to both fix applied at the 400 grit phase of polished Water-Based: Surfaces should be clean problem areas as well as to accent concrete however, in some cases the dye can and dry before the application of DCI  Great for diamond polished be applied at higher grits such as 800 to water-based dye. Always mask off concrete 1500. A test sample should be conducted to surrounding areas so that UN wanted dye check compatibility. Make sure to block off does not contaminate adjoining areas such as painted walls, masonry walls of components, immediately after spraying, hard troweled or polished concrete 400- adjoining concrete. This is especially flush the sprayer with clean water running it 600 square feet per coat per gallon. These important if there is exposed finished through the wand to extend the life of the square foot recommendations should only wood such as cabinets. Test sampling is sprayer. Consult with the Decorative be used as a general guide line since the key prior to applying dye on the actual Concrete Institute for the recommended applicator may choose to apply heavier or project so the installer knows specifically sprayer to use. lighter for increased or decreased color how the substrate is accepting the dye. intensity Water-based dye can be applied on small Note: when using either Water-Based or areas with artist’s brushes or traditional solvent based dyes during the polishing Solvent-Based: Coverage rates will very chip brushes. On smooth surfaces, color process on polished concrete, the dry significantly from floor to floor based on washed appearances can be achieved method of polishing produces better results the mix design of the concrete, the surface simply by ragging dye on the surface in a since wet polishing could reactivate the dye profile and the porosity. Depending on random motion. On small borders, the causing them to bleed. the type of sprayer and the tip size, on use of a tile sponge can be used. On open regular concrete and most cement based areas, the use of a pump-up type sprayer 7. Cleaning: toppings 300-500 square feet per coat per combined with one additional person Water-Based: If Water-Based dye is gallon. On hard troweled or polished massaging the dye into the surface with a applied in the proper manner, little or no concrete 550-700 square feet per coat per micro fiber applicator or a rayon mop is clean up is necessary. If puddled or over gallon. These square foot an effective way of applying the dye. Try applied, a residual residue could be left recommendations should only be used as and maintain a wet edge when working behind that could affect the adhesion of a a general guide line since the applicator large areas. On excessively wide areas, sealer. Only if necessary, lightly damp may choose to apply heavier or lighter for use contraction, isolation or construction mop the surface with a rung out damp mop. increased or decreased color intensity. joints as starting and stopping points. Try Excessive water could cause the dye to not to puddle the material during the reactivate and bleed. Dusty footprints or Safety precautions: CAUTION -DCI application. Site conditions such as air dust can simply be lightly sponged off. solvent-based dyes are highly movement, humidity and temperature can flammable. Great care should be all factor in to how the floor will accept Solvent-Based: If solvent-based dye was taken when using this product! dye. Different profiles such as polished, applied in the proper manner, little or no Solvent-based dyes will produce hard troweled, sand blasted or floated will clean up is necessary. Because of the vapors that are highly flammable. greatly influence the final color of dye. accelerated drying times when using solvent Make sure rooms are well ventilated. Layering colors upon color is a great way based dyes, sealing can usually commence Open windows and use fans to to achieve additional variation. It is with in one hour after application of dye. achieve air movement. Make imperative to practice techniques for a absolutely certain no source of open better understanding of what can be 8. Sealing: It is imperative the first coat of flame is present. Pilot lights, heaters, achieved using DCI water-based dyes. sealer be spray applied with an airless cigarettes, and electric tools should sprayer or pressurized pump sprayer. The not be used or turned off until any and Solvent-Based: Surfaces should be clean first coat of sealer is considered a prime all fumes do not exist. and dry before the application of DCI coat, which helps lock in the dye. Just solvent-based dye. Always mask off brushing or rolling on the first coat could Warranty: surrounding areas so that UN wanted dye cause the dyes to bleed. Both Water-Based DCI dyes are warranted to be of does not contaminate adjoining areas such and solvent-based sealers are compatible uniform quality within manufacturing as painted walls, masonry walls of with DCI Dyes. For best results when tolerances. DCI dyes are adjoining concrete. This is especially sealing, follow the manufacturers recommended for use by installers important if there is exposed finished recommendations on application methods experienced and trained in the use of wood such as cabinets. Test sampling is and coverage rates. When using acrylic these products. The manufacturer key prior to applying dye on the actual sealers, multiple thin coats are better than has no control over the use of this project so the installer knows specifically one thick coat. High performance coatings product; therefore, no warranty, how the substrate is accepting the dye. can be used over DCI dyes however, expressed or implied, is or can be Solvent-based dyes are best applied using consider locking the dye in with a first coat made to either the affects or results of pump up sprayers or high volume low- of Water-Based or 100% solids epoxy. such use. In any case, the sellers pressure sprayers. Although on small Applying your first coat with a solvent- and manufacturer’s obligation under areas such as borders and small saw cut based urethane could cause the dyes to this warranty shall be limited to design areas solvent-based dyes can be bleed. It is recommended that acrylic refunding the purchase price or brush applied, it is best applied with a sealers be maintained with a traditional mop replacing material proven defective. sprayer. If brushing, you must work down floor polish. Floor polish (sometimes quickly or brush strokes will appear referred to as waxing) will help preserve and Health Cautions: because of the accelerated drying time. extend the life of your floor. Water-Based: May be irritating to the When spraying, use a professional eyes and skin. May be harmful if chemical resistant sprayer with a conical 9. Coverage Rates: inhaled, absorbed through the skin, or tip (cone) for spraying since a fan tip is Water-Based: Coverage rates will very swallowed. During application more likely to produce spray lines. Have significantly from floor to floor based on the process use protective eye wear, an empty bucket close by so that when mix design of the concrete, the surface proper respirator and protective you need to stop the spray pattern you can profile and the porosity. When spray gloves. put the spray tip into the bucket, which applied and mopped in on traditional will help prevent splatters. Since solvents concrete, 300-500 square feet per coat per Solvent-Based: Contents are can affect the life of the sprayer and its gallon. On most cement based toppings, flammable. Vapors may cause flash fires. Keep away from heat, sparks and open flames. Keep work area well-ventilated, turn off all pilot lights, flames, heaters, stoves, and any other sources of ignition. During application process use protective eye wear, proper respirator and protective gloves.