When you add a colorant to the grey portland the grey is going to throw the colors off somewhat. If you add too much colorant it will weaken your mix. What I would suggest instead is using white portland with the colorant, you'll be far happier with the results. Another option is to consider staining your project when done instead of painting it, I think you'd like the looks of that. The grey just makes the colors get lost and you can hardly tell you used them,
Cindy

Hi Cindy,

I see what you are saying. I did see one ready made sold on eBay that was stained, and you are correct, I did like the looks of it, but since I have never done this or used a stain, what would be recommended, as far as color and type? I get confused at the craft stores with the various products, resulting in various looks. I would hate to make a mistake.

If you go to a place like home depot and go to the paint dept. they will have concrete stains. Take a look at this web site for some good ideas of what a concrete stain can do, http://www.superdeck.com/.
I've also used wood stain with good results also, Just paint it on with an old foam brush and either let it dry or rub some of it off to give a unique look.There are lots of color choices , it'll just depend on what sort of look you want,
Cindy

Mini wax wood stain works GREAT on stone. I just redid my familyroom fireplace with it.
That being said, I was pouring concrete molds last year and painted some and bought concrete stain for some. This was before I knew about the wood stain on stone working. I had the grey Quickrete and I bought 'brown' cement stain. The resulting color was far from it, actually ended up looking very terra cotta. Which I liked ok, just was a shock, LOL.
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hugs, Karen

If you use concrete colorant, you'll get pretty good results, but it has to be for concrete. The darker the color, the more colorant you'll need. The package will come with the amount to use per pound of dry concrete mix.

You don't need to use concrete stain, you can use virtually any stain, paint, whatever. We've been in the decorative concrete business for over 10 years, so I know what works. We like to use woodstain (not the gel type) to create awesome effects. The concrete stain tends to be opaque, whereas the wood stain will give you a transparent color.

Use diluted acrylic craft paint, also. They take on a beautiful look, more of a wash. I do not like using the acrylic paints straight on as they tend to be too 'false' looking.

Just use Krylon or another good clear spray paint for your sealer (after you've painted the piece) and you'll be good for outside.

Pesky1: Good advice, thank you and thank you to everyone that responded and or shared.

I am going to try to achieve a regular stone color on my gray concrete molds when I get to doing them. Hopefully whatever I use will be strong enough so that they don't look gray in the end.

To mangomoon. I am not sure where you are located, but if you have any other questions regarding concrete finishes give a shout-out or look-see at my site www.ngace.com for FAQ's. Phone 404-290-3198. I can help

well here is my 2 cents. I mixed up concrete with the colorant they had on the shelves to make pavers. When I mixed it it looked so dark and pretty. I laid my mold out smoothed out the cement brushed it with a broom to give it a little texture and prevent people from falling and went in the house. I WAS SHOCKED when I looked at it after drying. It looked horrible and the color was nothing like I thought it was going to be. Like they said earlier it looked washed out. I wanted to cry.

But now the good news is with the information provided on this forum I will be staining it this spring to bring that rich color back.

I thought that colorant was a rip off

mangomoon...your post inspired me to bid on e-bay awhile back...I used acrylic paint wash & then a light coat of spray acrylic...loved how the rocks turned out...here's one in my garden last yr.:

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I had also heard colorant didn't turn out like one thought it would...so I'm glad to see this thread of ideas...I'm going to try stain also! Thanks! Jeanne S.

my flat rocks...{{gwi:129942}}

purplemoon...your garden stones are awesome!

Sounds like a cool mold. Remember to post a pic!
When I painted a few of my concrete pieces I used some extender like you use for paint effects,forget what its called. But I had it on hand. It seemed to help the paint to soak into the concrete. I also had some oil based wood stain on hand. Don't recommend that. I had black arms and freckles for days. Old woman suggested that I "fleck" the stain for a granite look by jerking the paint brush at the concrete, and I ended up flecked. Nice to read others advice. My dh used some kind of concrete paint on some new steps the city put in going to the road when they took out our sidewalk - SLIPPERY! That was a mistake.
kathy