Choose a coloring method (dyes, integral color, or acid stain) for a polished concrete floor

Steps

1. Match the method to the desired outcome: integral color gives uniform color throughout the slab, dyes penetrate the ground surface for vivid or translucent color after grinding, and reactive acid stains create variegated, mottled effects through a chemical reaction with the cement paste.
2. For dyes, confirm UV stability of the specific product if the floor has significant natural light exposure, since many dyes fade under UV and only some formulations are UV-stable.
3. For acid stains, plan for the neutralization and cleanup step required after application, and set expectations that the mottled result is not fully predictable or controllable.
4. For integral color, coordinate color selection with the concrete supplier before the pour, since it cannot be corrected after placement the way surface-applied color can.
5. Build and get owner approval on a physical sample panel combining the chosen coloring method with the planned grind level and sheen before committing the full floor.