How to Tint Concrete Using Latex Paint

How to Tint Concrete Using Latex Paint
Written By
Serena Styles
Serena Styles
Published: Oct 19, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

The pigmentation in the paint will color the concrete while the latex fills in air bubbles, making the mixture sturdier. The adjusted texture is especially desirable in stamped or molded concrete, but it will improve almost any concrete project.

Things You Will Need

  • Dry concrete mixture
  • Large mixing container
  • Water
  • Colored water-based latex paint
  • Shovel or garden hoe
  • Concrete sealant (optional)
  1. Pour the concrete mixture into a large mixing container and three-fourths the amount of water called for in the manufacturer’s instructions. Add an amount of latex paint equal to the remaining one-fourth of the water called for in the manufacturer’s instructions. The color of the latex paint will dilute down to a light tint in the mixed concrete.

  2. Use a shovel or garden hoe to blend the water and paint into the concrete mixture. When the tinted concrete has blended, observe its color and add more paint as needed to darken it, if you prefer. Continue mixing the concrete until no areas of dry mixture remain.

  3. Use the tinted concrete immediately and allow it to dry for the time indicated by the manufacturer's instructions. The tinted concrete should not shrink as much as a non-tinted variety and will hold detail from stamping or shaping much easier.

  4. Apply a concrete sealant if it will be exposed to weather to prevent it from eroding. Each sealant needs to be applied in a slightly different way, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for best results. The sealing process is the same for tinted concrete as non-tinted concrete; there is no need to alter it.

The Drip Cap

  • Concrete typically has a neutral gray color that blends well into most surroundings.
  • The pigmentation in the paint will color the concrete while the latex fills in air bubbles, making the mixture sturdier.
  • Use a shovel or garden hoe to blend the water and paint into the concrete mixture.
  • Use the tinted concrete immediately and allow it to dry for the time indicated by the manufacturer's instructions.

Photo Credits

Pixland/Pixland/Getty Images

Pixland/Pixland/Getty Images

Serena Styles

Serena Styles is a Colorado-based writer who specializes in health, fitness and food. Speaking three languages and working on a fourth, Styles is pursuing a Bachelor's in Linguistics and preparing to travel the world. When Styles isn't…

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