Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Patio, concrete stamping?

Hi, I'm not sure if this or the concrete forum is the approriate place for this question, so feel free to move it to the correct board if needed.

I'm going to do a moderate size concrete patio off our basement this summer and I really like the look of stamped and dyed concrete. I just haven't been able to find any info on where to get, or rent, reasonably priced products. Or just any info on the techniques. From what I have seen, it looks like it would add complexity to the job, but nothing a DIYer couldn't handle and achieve satisfactory results.

Quickcrete sells a form and liquid dyes, but the method they use, doesn't look like it would work to well onb a moderately sized 10x12 or so project. Plus the liquid dye seems pricy, $5 to do 2 80# bags. Wouldn't a powdered dye be more economical?

Anyway, thanks for any help, or fingers pointing me in the right direction.

Quikcrete's system is OK, for little projects. But at 10 X12, you are looking at a bit over a yard of concrete (45 to 50 of the 80# sacks), and at $2.50 / sack for the color, ...

The slab is really too large to do with redi-mix, and Quikcrete's selection of stamps is pretty limited.

You'll get a much better job and have a selection of stamps if you call a concrete contractor who has stamps. Who knows -- maybe a couple of guys on the crew would take it on as a side job. This is one of those jobs that will literally be cast in stone -- better to pay a bit more and get something you can live with for a long time, because you will!!

I agree with lefty, all the stamped concrete I have been around was done by pros. If you can get someone to do it as a side job and maybe they let you help would probably be the cheapest way to go. Since it is a small job it is quite likely that a pro would throw his employee a bone and let him use his equipment.

If you have never worked with concrete before, then do not attempt this as DIY. It is DIY but only for experienced DIY. In fact, if you have little or no experience, don't even attempt a non-stamped job.

As lefty said, this job is too big to do a bag or two at a time, even using a portable mixer. You can't mix and pour fast enough to do a good job.

Yes, powdered dye is more economical, but not for the inexperienced.

The liquid color sold at Lowes/Home Depot is made by a company called Solomon Colors, and marketed by Quikrete. I found this out when I called the SC rep in my area. There was a concrete supplier right down the road from my work that carried the Solomon Colors liquid pigments and the cost was roughly half that of using those small 10 .oz bottles from HD/Lowes. I bought 2 colors and they mixed it on the spot in large buckets.