THE STAINMAN
COLOR ENHANCEMENT KIT
preparation and safety
It's recommended to wear safety glasses and old clothes when mixing and applying your stain. Always use tarps or other means to protect nearby surfaces from spills.
If stain solution is spilled or splashed:
In eyes:
Rinse with water for at least 10 minutes to ensure are particles have been removed.
on skin:
Rinse thoroughly with soap and water.
on clothing:
Flush with water, but discoloration may be permanent.
on floors/walls:
Remove immediately with water, keeping it wet at all times, dabbing with damp cloth.
proper staining conditions:
weather:
Air temperature is 50 degrees F and above. No precipitation for 24 hours before or after staining.
Clean:
If masonry surface is dirty, scrub with water and brush. If necessary, use a cleaner. Beware of using a pressure washer, as it can damage brick.
absorbent:
Brick is not sealer. To check for sealant, splash some water on the wall. If the water beads and brick doesn't change color, the masonry is sealed and cannot be stained until sealer is removed.
creating color recipes
1. Pick the colors that will combine with the colors of the existing masonry to produce the color you want.
See the Color Wheel Reminders (below) to check the results of mixing particular colors. For example, you will notice that Royal and Sunflower combine to create green. Therefore, if you wish to make yellow stone appear green, add Royal to the recipe. Include Raw White if you wish to brighten the colors or Coal to darken them. Adding Cajun Pepper or Royal colors also tend to darken the result, and adding Sunflower tends to lighten the result.
2. Write down the colors you choose.
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3. Decide on the amount (the number of teaspoons or partial teaspoons) of each color to use for the test solution. Do not use more than 7 teaspoons per 1/2 cup elixir. Always use leveled measurements.
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To avoid ruining your solution, always add a little less color than you think you might need. You can always add to it later. If you add too much of a color, you may have to discard the whole ½ cup of elixir.
additional notes:
To make a slight color change, try using ½ tsp. or 1 tsp. of color.
For a major change, try 2-3 teaspoons of color. To lighten or darken try as little as ¼ tsp.
Your recipe should never include more than 7 teaspoons of color, total, for ½ cup of elixir. (Doing so will cause pigment to settle to the bottom of the cup and give you an uneven color.)
If you need more color than that, you will have to: (1) develop one recipe and apply one coat of stain to partially change the masonry, (2) let it dry, and then (3) develop another recipe and apply another coat. This is very rarely necessary.
Write the complete recipe: the amounts of each color to be added to ½ cup of elixir. Now you have a recipe that you can test to see how it works on your masonry.
Common colors for adjusting (In a half cup mixture):
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1/4 tsp Raw White - Lightens
1/4 tsp Coal - Darkens
1/4 tsp Cajun Pepper - More Red
1/4 tsp Sunflower - More Yellow
1/4 tsp Desert - More Brown
1/4 tsp Royal - More Burgundy
application of the stain
The most important things to remember as you stain:
1. Stir the solution every time you dip the brush
2. Squeeze the excessive liquid out of the brush, it should never be dripping
Stirring
Pour 1/2 cup of elixir into mixing cup. Never use less than 1/2 cup, which is the minimum needed for effective workability. Do not mix more than 1/2 cup at a time.
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Add desire colors, leveling the teaspoons with the wooden stick provided in the envelope. Write down your recipe. Do not use more than 7 teaspoons in a half cup mixture.
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Stir stain mixture in cup thoroughly with the 2” brush. Stir each time you dip the brush.
Squeeze the excess solution from the brush by pressing against the side of the mixing cup. To keep from splattering the bricks, please drain the brush toward your body.
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Keep a damp cloth with you to wipe up any drips.
test the recipe
Coming up with the right color for your project is a process of trial and error. Rather than diving in, we HIGHLY recommend you test the recipe on the masonry first. Find an area on which to try out your test solution. It is best to use extra loose pieces of masonry. If you must test on the masonry wall itself, try to find a small area where “test” stains are unlikely to be noticed.
Apply the solution using the application directions below.
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Allow the area to dry. Drying time will vary depending upon temperature and humidity. After drying, colors may appear lighter.
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If you need to adjust your recipe, re-educate yourself on the instructions above in Creating Color Recipes. Remember, common colors for adjusting (In a half cup mixture):
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1/4 tsp Raw White - Lightens
1/4 tsp Coal - Darkens
1/4 tsp Cajun Pepper - More Red
1/4 tsp Sunflower - More Yellow
1/4 tsp Desert - More Brown
1/4 tsp Royal - More Burgundy
Staining brick
Remember - stir and drain well each time you dip the brush!
Place 2" brush on left edge of brick and push down slightly and pull across the brick until you reach the right edge, in one motion. (If left-handed pull brush right to left) See pictures to right.
Use the corner of the brush to stain any areas that need touch up.
For a tighter range of color, you’ll most likely stir, dip and drain the brush every 1-3 brick. For wider ranges of color, you’ll only stir, dip and drain every 4-7 brick. Re-dipping too often and not draining well enough are the leading causes of the product being applied too heavily, which will waste product and cause the stain to fail. If stain gets into mortar, dab with wet cloth immediately.
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TIPS:
Never apply with roller or sprayer
Do not mix in larger quantities than 1/2 cup at a time
Do not use more than 7 teaspoons in 1/2 cup
Staining mortar
Use the 1 inch brush provided in your kit.
Start with the bed (or horizontal joints) pulling your brush from left to right about 3-4 brick wide. (left-handed pull right to left)
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Do 3 to 4 of the horizontal rows first. Before re-dipping the brush go ahead and do all the head (or vertical) joints within the 3-4 rows of horizontal joints you just completed as shown in the picture.
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When doing the vertical joint keep the brush pointing slightly upwards. Doing this will help prevent drips coming from the brush. See photo.
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Repeat steps 1-4 until wall is complete.
If stain gets on surrounding brick while doing the mortar, wipe it off immediately with a damp cloth before the stain dries.
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Staining block
Place brush on upper left corner of block, push down slightly and pull the brush across until you reach the right edge. (If left-handed start upper right corner and pull to left edge)
Lift brush up and return to the upper left corner of the block and come down about one inch. Place brush on the block push down and pull brush across until you’ve reached the right edge. Continue this step until you have reached the bottom of the block.
Before re-dipping the brush, go across the top and bottom edges of the block (about 1”) for an even coat. Use the corner of the brush, to touch up any areas that were missed. See Illustration.
clean-up and disposal
All Color Enhancement Kit Pigments and solution are environmentally friendly.
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Dispose of unused solution in grassy or wooded area away from concrete or asphalt.
To clean out cups and brushes, wash the cups and brushes out repeatedly until water runs clear.
Dispose of water in the grassy or wooded area until cup and brush are totally clean.
Solution can be saved in a tight sealable container at room temperature for up to 7 days. Stir thoroughly before reusing.
Store your kit at room temperature with lids firmly attached. Leaving lids off can cause pigments to harden.