Aleopold

As your mix dries out and loses humidity, it will turn a lot more pale in color (chalk-like). I had a terracotta mix using terracotta dye and grey cement. At the beginning, it looked like dark chocolate, I even thought about taking a bite :-)

Now it looks like a very pale terracotta/brown. If you don't like the finish, remember you can use watered down stains once their dry

It's probably "Efflorescence". Sometimes it goes away on it's own. Sometimes you can scrub it away with water. Sometimes you have to use muriatic acid and water (1 part acid to 12 parts water). Give it a chance to go away on it's own before using the acid solution. Billie

Here is a link that might be useful: Cement Technology

Thanks. I also noticed that the first one I did had no whitish coloration. I read somewhere to dip the trowel in water and go over the top to give it a smooth edge. Each one that I did this way turned white. Can anyone explain why?

It can be hit or miss if you get efflorescence. The trowel won't make a difference. Did you check out the "trowel-tips" on the link I posted? Billie

Yes, I did. It was very helpful. I made another batch this afternoon; as the article said, I used no excess water in any step. I will let you know how this batch turns out. Should know in about 36 hours...

The less water you use the stronger your cured piece will be. Billie

Yea, thanks again Billie. I have heard that in the past. The stones turned out virtually perfect, no whitish color on top. Guess the water did make a difference.

What do the stepping stones look like? Are you doing any carving or imprints? Billie

Yes, I am using the Poetry Stones kit. I inaccurately described them earlier. They are more like cobblestones. I did, however, make some stepping stones the other night that turned out nicely. I got the mix too wet and couldn't press the letters well so I decided to just make stepping stones instead. They look great and just a spot or two of efflorescence on each of them. I think pure water will take it off. The two that I made had no impression in them.