Question 1

What if my integrally colored concrete does not match the color card?

Accepted Answer

Colors on BASF’s MasterColor selector card are approximate matches of finished concrete. They approximate broom-finished flatwork made with medium-gray cement and a 0.45–0.50 water-cement ratio, without supplementary cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement. Possible causes: Cement color variations from region to region; Aggregate characteristics and color variations from region to region; Variations in mixture proportions, especially water and supplementary cementitious materials; Use of calcium chloride; Variations in water content; Addition of water to the concrete surface; Variable finished surface textures; Improper curing or sealing practices. Remedies: Remove and replace the concrete; Alter texture by sandblasting (will modify final appearance); Re-examine 4–6 weeks after placement.

Question 2

What if my concrete surface looks “light” or “bleached”?

Accepted Answer

Possible causes: Use of water during finishing, sometimes called “blessing” the surface; Over-watering of the concrete mixture; Wet broom finishing; Concrete finished with bleed water on the surface; Hot or cold weather conditions; Efflorescence; Improper curing or sealing practices. Remedies: Clean the concrete surface; Sandblast or acid etch per ASTM D4260 (will alter final appearance); After the surface problem is removed, apply BASF’s MasterKure CC 1315WB curing and sealing compound per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Question 3

What if my color is blotchy?

Accepted Answer

Possible causes: Concrete not fully cured; Surface closed too early with magnesium floats and/or steel trowels; Surface burnished by hard troweling; Curing paper touched the surface in some areas and not others; Use of calcium chloride; Variation in setting due to jobsite environment, such as sun versus shade; Inconsistent subgrade conditions (variations in depth and moisture); Improper curing or sealing practices; Placed during wet weather or with external moisture. Remedies: Re-examine 4–6 weeks after placement; Clean the concrete surface; Sandblast or acid etch per ASTM D4260 (will alter final appearance).

Question 4

What if I have a non-uniform broom texture?

Accepted Answer

Possible causes: Inconsistent broom moisture; Changing broom direction; Inconsistent brooming procedure; Unsuitable or worn broom; Different textured brooms, such as horsehair versus nylon. Remedies: Change the surface texture by sandblasting or acid etching per ASTM D4260.

Question 5

What if I am experiencing efflorescence?

Accepted Answer

Efflorescence can be a naturally occurring process for cementitious materials. Concrete practices and remedies exist to minimize it. Possible causes: Jobsite water addition; Use of calcium chloride; Soluble salts from subgrade or concrete, and water evaporation from the surface; Abundant environmental water; Improper curing or sealing practices. Remedies: Clean the concrete surface; Sandblast or acid etch per ASTM D4260 (will alter final appearance).

Question 6

What if I have post-construction discoloration?

Accepted Answer

Possible causes: Water marks from landscape irrigation or runoff; Efflorescence; “Bird bath” depressions in the finished surface; Entrapped moisture; Surface stains from external sources such as rust, oil, paint, or deciduous trees; Rock salt, calcium chloride, or other deicing chemicals; Landscape features such as potted plants. Remedies: Clean the concrete surface; Sandblast or acid etch per ASTM D4260 (will change appearance); Remove and replace the slab.

Question 7

Cure/sealer is white or cloudy

Accepted Answer

Possible causes: Applied too heavily; Applied while concrete was visibly moist; Applied by other than an airless sprayer; External moisture on the surface, such as rain or irrigation; Applied below the manufacturer’s recommended temperature range; Material froze before, during, or after application. Remedies: Apply BASF’s MasterKure CC 1315WB curing and sealing compound per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Question 8

Cure/sealer is peeling off

Accepted Answer

Possible causes: Substrate not properly prepared; Applied too heavily; Applied outside specified temperature ranges; improper use of salamanders. Remedies: Apply BASF’s MasterKure CC 1315 curing and sealing compound per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Question 9

Cure/sealer has streaks, drips, or roller marks

Accepted Answer

Possible causes: Applied by pump-up sprayer; Applied unevenly by roller; Inconsistent pressure on airless sprayer; Nozzle clogging. Remedies: Remove and reapply.

What went wrong, and how to fix it.

Still not sure?

What went wrong, and how to fix it.

01What if my integrally colored concrete does not match the color card?

02What if my concrete surface looks “light” or “bleached”?

03What if my color is blotchy?

04What if I have a non-uniform broom texture?

05What if I am experiencing efflorescence?

06What if I have post-construction discoloration?

07Cure/sealer is white or cloudy

08Cure/sealer is peeling off

09Cure/sealer has streaks, drips, or roller marks

Still not sure?