We at NGDC use color-hardener in the coloring process of both the stamped concrete where many of our competitors avoid its use because of the increased labor requirements and decreased production. Color-Hardener requires the installer to broadcast the color on to the surface and trowel it into the concrete. Color-Hardener has many performance advantages over integral color (color mixed into the concrete truck) because it hardens the surface to over 6000 psi, making it more resistant to abrasion, scratch, and wear. It also produces a more uniform and vibrant color that is more predictable and outlasts integral color. Color-hardener is also the only way to insure concrete pours made on different days will match. We are able to color and imprint vertical surfaces such as step facings and cantilever pool copings; this is not possible with integral color. We also make small and manageable concrete pours to insure consistent stamping depth throughout the project. We do not let the allure of making bigger pours to increase daily production and profits lower the appearance of the finished concrete product due to inconsistent stamping depth and/or color variations.