DESCRIPTION AND BASIC USE • MATCRETE® Dustone Color Hardener™ is an engineered blend of color pigments, cement graded, hard non-reactive aggregates and surface conditioning agents. Only pure, lightfast, lime proof and weather resistant pigments are used. Dustone Color Hardener is a ready to use dry shake colorant and hardener for concrete. Applied to fresh concrete, it will produce a colorful, wear resistant concrete surface. Dustone Color Hardener is specifically formulated for use in the construction of new concrete flatwork and floors. Its rich finishing paste allows the production of sharp detail and clear characteristics ideal for use on many different commercial and residential colored concrete finishes. It can be troweled and broomed, or imprinted using MATCRETE Decorative Concrete Stamps™ and MATCRETE Liquid Release Agent™. Many unique appearances with contrasting colors can be achieved with a powdered release agent like MATCRETE Dustone Antique Release Agent™.

STORAGE • Store in a cool, dry place, away from oxidizers and acids. Do not store in temperatures exceeding 120°F. Keep container tightly sealed. Shelf life is approximately 12 months.

COVERAGE • Coverage requirements vary according to intended use and color. For most applications, Dustone Color Hardener should be applied at a rate of 60 pounds per 100 square feet (3.0 kilograms per square meter). Lighter colors such as pastel shades and whites as well as areas subject to heavy traffic require minimum coverage rates of 90 - 120 pounds per 100 square feet (4.5 - 6.0 kilograms per square meter) but never more than 120 pounds per 100 square feet.

PREPARATION • The subgrade must be uniformly, graded, compacted, free of standing water and dry at the time of placement. Mask off and cover all nearby structures and slabs that could be damaged through contamination by the color hardener or concrete.

CONCRETE • The concrete should be designed to meet the strength and finishing requirements of the project. All fine and course aggregates must be non-reactive and free of deleterious material. The maximum recommended slump is 4 inches. Avoid using admixtures containing Calcium Chloride.

APPLICATION • Apply Dustone Color Hardener after the concrete has been placed, screeded, wood-floated and excess bleed-water has disappeared from the concrete surface. Using protective gloves, reach down into each bucket and remix material that may have settled during transporting and storage. To ensure sufficient and uniform coverage, the color hardener should not be applied at less than the rate described in the COVERAGE section. Dustone Color Hardener should be applied in two applications (shakes). Two-thirds of the material should be applied in the first shake with one-third being withheld for the second shake and final touch-up as necessary. For applications of over 100 pounds per 100 square feet (5.0 kilograms per square meter), three shakes should be considered with one-half of the material being applied during the first shake. To prevent segregation of the aggregates, the color hardener should not be broadcast from a point above knee level or thrown more than a few feet (1 m), less under windy conditions. Since concrete sets more rapidly along the edges of the slab, material should be applied to the edges first, and they should be worked before the rest of the surface. A small quantity of material should be withheld from the final shake for touching up nonuniform or weak-toned areas as necessary. The necessary moisture for wetting the color hardener must come from the concrete substrate to develop the proper strength and monolithic bonding. Water must not be sprinkled or otherwise added to the surface during application. Otherwise, a discolored and weakened surface with reduced durability may occur. After each application, the dry color hardener must be thoroughly and completely worked into the surface by the use of wooden hand floats or a power troweling machine equipped with float blades (shoes). Long-handled fresnos must not be used. The concrete must not be troweled until after the final application. After application of the final shake, the surface should be floated, then hand or machine troweled. To prevent burning or darkening of the surface, hard steel troweling (burnishing) should be minimized, especially at the edges and joint lines. The specified texture should be applied uniformly using consistent finishing practices. All surfaces should be finished reasonably within the same time after placing. If the color hardened surface is to be imprinted with MATCRETE Decorative Concrete Stamps or other mat-type imprinting tools, MATCRETE Dustone Antique Release Agent or MATCRETE Liquid Release Agent should be used.

CURING • The use of a clear, non-staining, acrylic or wax curing-compound is recommended. Do not cure with plastic sheeting, membrane paper or water misting. Avoid the use of sodium-silicate type concrete hardeners. Products not recommended could cause discoloration or mottling of the concrete surface.

WARNING • Prolonged, unprotected exposure may result in non-reversible Silicosis or Lung Cancer. All concrete finishers and all onsite personnel must wear an OSHA-NIOSH approved dust respirator while applying or working around MATCRETE Dustone Color Hardener. Avoid contact with eyes and skin. Wear rubber gloves to protect skin and safety eye goggles. Before using or handling this product, completely read the Dustone Color Hardener Technical Information and MSDS. Close container after each use. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

WARRANTY • This product is not for public use and is intended for use by licensed contractors, experienced and trained in the use of these products. It is warranted to be of uniform quality within manufacturing tolerances. The manufacturer has no control over the use of this product, therefore, no warranty, expressed or implied, is or can be made either as to the affects or as results of such use. In any case, the manufacturer’s obligations shall be limited to refunding the purchase price or replacing material proven defective. The end user shall be responsible for determining product’s suitability and assumes all risks and liability.

DOC-AB
Autumn Brown

DOC-LB
Light Beige

DOC-L
Limestone

DOC-N
Nutmeg

DOC-PT
Phoenix Tan

DOC-TC
Terra Cotta

DOC-W
Walnut

Please note: Colors shown are approximate. The above colors will differ from the finished product, due to differences in Computer Monitors and Graphic Cards.

* Denotes Designer Colors which require a higher coverage rate, where Matcrete recommends 90 - 120 pounds per 100 square feet (4.5 - 6.0 kilograms per square meter) but never more than 120 pounds per 100 square feet.

** Denotes a Premium Color which requires a higher coverage rate, where Matcrete recommends 90 - 120 pounds per 100 square feet (4.5 - 6.0 kilograms per square meter) but never more than 120 pounds per 100 square feet.

Additional Product Information

DUSTONE Color Hardener Technical Information