Vivid Colors

[ECI]

I have a question about using vivid colors outdoors. I want to use
a vivid blue color on a compass layout and was wondering if you use a UV protecting sealer over it will that keep the color bright
for a long time? I remember being told you can't use bright colors
outside at the seminar but they did not have the sealers that are available from other suppliers. If so what sealers would you recommend over a water based stain like con res or is this impossible to do? Thanks

[ECI]

Here are some more details, it is on a new concrete driveway
with 90 % sun exposure. Or should I use some other type of
stain to get longevity?

[NS'Creter]

I have no experience with colors like that...I know that some suppliers claim that there will be no UV damage. I don't think anyone wants to be the first to find out ya know? What we should be doing is a small test piece at our homes and watch them. We could at least report what we find from those. I'll get some in my next order and do my part. No short term help though...sorry.

[alexwright]

I'm not sure if you are maybe confusing that with bright Acid Stains. If you use green or blue acid stains they will turn black outside. If you use waterbased stains I'm sure they will fade to a point but what else can you use that would'nt? Remember that there are artists out there that are using this stuff out doors for artwork and so on. I would say go ahead and use it. The key I believe is sealer. Sealers will dull with time and of course then making the color to appear dull or faded but if you upkeep the sealer you can maintain a good shine therefore making the stain appear bright and vivid. Correct?

[ECI]

I can't remember as we took in a lot of info and my memory doesn't work as good as it used to, well that is about everything on me these days!!! ;D ;D

What sealer would you use if you wanted to get a long lasting
protection of the color? Thanks for the info

[Lindy]

Either a 2 component Aliphatic MCU (Moisture Cured Urethane) ... or better/best being Polyaspartic Aliphatic Polyurea.

There are some concrete dye/stains (not reactive stains) that are available in a rainbow of colors (blues, greens, reds, etc) that can be successfully used on exterior surfaces ... so long as one of the above sealers are used to shield/protect against UV rays, environmental/forces of nature, and wear/abrasion be it from constant public foot traffic or vehicles (driveways, service/write up areas at car/truck dealerships, etc.).

Lindy

[sincero]

Maybe I can help.
Two summers ago I used an ocean blue dye on a sample board & accidentally oversprayed my driveway. The beautiful blue dye was never sealed. It's still looks great today. If it has faded it's hard to notice.
Dye manufacturers use the Atlas fade-o-meter test with a xenon lamp to evaluate fading. Blue and navy blue show slight fade and very slight fade under this 64 hr accelerated test. The ocean blue color, in their test, shows severe fade, but not in my full sun driveway in Atlanta.
Further, sealers including PAP offer minimal uv protection to the underlying color. Most uv absorbers give crappy performance in a translucent system such as a clear sealer. Many manufacturers don't use them at all.
The bottom line is that there are dyes from manufacturers that will work just fine. Mr.concreto

[takenforgranit]

I used ocean blue on a full sun basketball court 1.5 years ago, with crappy sealer and it still looks like it did when applied.