How Pigments React in Different Concrete Mixes

You pick your colour, get your pigment ready, pour the mix, and when it dries… it is not quite what you expected. Maybe a bit duller, maybe not as warm, maybe not the same as the last job you did. You are not the only one. Pigments can behave differently depending on what you are mixing them into, and I will walk you through what to look out for.

Let us start with the cement. This is one of the biggest factors. If you are using white cement, your pigment will show up brighter and closer to the colour in the bag. If you are using grey cement, especially a darker one, it can mute the colour and make it feel a bit more toned down. Neither is right or wrong, but they will give you different results. You want to know which one you are using before you decide on your pigment.

Water content is another big one. More water in the mix will make the colour appear lighter or washed out. Less water gives a richer tone, but too little can make the mix hard to work with. The trick is consistency. If you are pouring in sections or over more than one day, keep the water content the same each time. Even a small difference can change how the slab looks when it dries.

Then there is your sand and stone. Light coloured sand and stone will let your pigment show more clearly. Darker or more yellow aggregates can tint the overall colour slightly. You might not notice it at first, but on lighter shades it can be the difference between a warm beige and something that looks more brown or dusty.

Mix time matters too. Pigment needs time to blend evenly through the whole mix. If you rush it or do not stir properly, you can end up with uneven colour or streaks. Give it a proper spin in the mixer or a good mix by hand if that is how you are doing it. You want it smooth and even before you pour.

And do not forget, concrete always looks different when it is wet. The colour will settle as it cures. It will usually lighten up as it dries, and then darken again a little once you seal it. That is completely normal.

So here is what it comes down to. The pigment stays the same, but everything else around it changes the outcome. Cement colour, water content, sand and stone, mix time, and even the weather. That is why it is always worth doing a small test patch first. It does not need to be fancy, just enough to show you how your pigment will look in your mix before you go full scale.

Concrete is honest. It shows exactly what you put into it. And when you are working with colour, a little planning and care makes all the difference.