Dry-shake color hardener

Use case

Stamped concrete — the trade standard; also hardens the wear surface

Durability

Highest surface durability, richer mottling than integral

Price band

Mid-high

How does dry-shake color hardener work?

Color hardener goes on in two applications after the bleed water leaves: broadcast about two thirds of the material, float it in until it darkens with moisture coming up from below, then broadcast the rest and finish. Coverage runs by the pound per square foot rather than by dosage, and the manufacturer rate is what buys you full color — going light is the reason a slab comes out blotchy or pastel. Because the pigment sits in a dense cement and hard-aggregate topping, the surface ends up harder and less permeable than the concrete under it, which is why stamped work holds color better than integral alone. The two real risks are timing and water: broadcast too early and you trap bleed water, sprinkle water to help it dissolve and you have made a weak chalky surface that dusts off within a year.

Screen colors are approximate. Obtain a physical sample from the manufacturer before specifying. Color names and swatch systems are manufacturer trademarks, shown here as editorial reference with a link to the official chart.