Concrete stain adds character to surfaces where other stains fail. If you’ve never bought or worked with concrete stains, you’re going to need help navigating the terrain.

From acid stains to water based stains, you can find multiple colors and styles for your DIY project. The stains vary based on your needs, first and foremost.

Here we’ll review concrete stains and how they can help your DIY project.

Choosing Concrete Stain

There are different concrete stains, and each one comes with advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Acid stains react with the concrete’s surface, so the color is permanent – a great perk. The downside of acid stains, however, is that it comes in minimal color choices.

Acid stains are typically used for exterior concrete surfaces because the color won’t change over time, especially if you keep the surface protected.

Related: How to Clean a Concrete Countertop

With powdered acetone dyes, they’re more suited for interior use and come in a good variety of colors. Since they’re not UV-stable, however, you can’t use them outdoors, Also, acid stains need a couple of hours to set, powdered acetone dyes can dry in seconds.

Liquid Acetone Dyes are relatively thin, but they’re UV-stable. They’ve got an even more extensive range of colors compared to powdered acetone dyes and dry quickly. Water-based stains are predominantly used to bond the concrete, and they come in a wide range of colors.

They’re mostly a surface coating, however, so don’t expect water-based stains to be absorbed into the concrete. You will have greater control over a water-based stain’s color, and they’ll provide you with a longer working time than dyes.

Solvent Based Stains

These are mainly used to tint solvent-based coatings and can dry reasonably quickly. If you’re using them indoors, you can pair them with epoxies and urethanes to create a solid color that’ll last.

If you want to use this outdoors, you’ll have to use them with caution as the stain bonds to the coating rather than the concrete.

6 Best Concrete Stains

We know how hard to can get trying to choose the right concrete stain. To make it easier on you, here are the top six concrete stains on the market today.

1. Kemiko Stone Tone Concrete Stain

This concrete stain comes in an English Red color, and it won’t fade, chip, or peel. It has an acidic base and is formulated to bond with the lime components in the concrete.

You can use the stain on indoor and outdoor surfaces.. Depending on the job, you can use either a plastic garden sprayer or a medium to stiff bristle brush.

Pros:

Suited for both indoor and outdoor use Comes in a range of different colors Reliable and consistent

Cons:

The color comes out a little different

2. Semi Transparent Professional Grade Cement Stain

Another excellent concrete stain, this water-based stain, also comes in a wide variety of colors and is made with quality ingredients. It’s great for pool decks, concrete floors, and driveways.

Unlike other cement stains, this one doesn’t have a strong smell. It can also penetrate waterborne concrete and cement stain.

It’s non-acidic, so you won’t have to clean-up or neutralize unwanted chemicals or residue.

Pros:

Suited for both indoor and outdoor use Made with quality ingredients Minimal odor and environmentally friendly Non-acidic

Cons:

You won’t get as slick of a concrete finish as some of the other products

3. Acid Stain DIY Kit Acrylic Solvent Sealers

This acid concrete stain comes in seven different colors. It’s durable and you don’t have to worry about it chipping, fading, cracking, or peeling.

Those that have purchased it mentioned that they’ve had some fantastic results and love how it’s an inexpensive product that comes with everything you need.

Some tips from previous customers include getting a painter’s brush, and wearing gloves, breathing masks, and goggles when applying.

Pros:

Doesn’t chip, fade, crack or peel Great for beginners Comes with everything you need Access to customer service if you’ve got any questions

Cons:

Some mentioned that the color was darker than expected

4. VIVID Acid Stain – Walnut

This concrete acid stain will transform ordinary concrete surfaces made with granite or a marble aesthetic. The stain can penetrate top layers and doesn’t peel, chip, or crack.

Colors produced are multi-colored and unique and will become a permanent part of the concrete.

Pros:

Doesn’t chip, fade, crack or peel It’s permanent Easy DIY featuresProduces a great stain

Cons:

Do not leave unattended or the color will fade

5. TuffCrete Waterborne Acrylic Concrete Stain Paint

This waterproofing concrete stain is everything you need for your concrete floors and other surfaces. One gallon of concrete stain paint covers about 300 to 400 square feet.

The concrete stain paint dries fast, and it’s non-fading, so you’ll have a durable finish that can resist a range of products from detergents to oil and grease.

Pros:

You’ll get an entire gallon of concrete stain paint Dries fast Non-fading and durable Easy to work with

Cons:

Not great for individuals that aren’t used to thinner concrete stains

6. Rust-Oleum Concrete Stain Spray

Last on the list isthis concrete stain spray that’s both UV and weather-resistant. You can combine it with other colors for a customized look or use it on your own. The company’s website is easy to navigate and offers fair prices.

Since it’s a spray, it’s great for applications on smaller items and accent pieces. If needed, you can clean up the spray with soap and water.

Customers that have purchased this product were pleasantly surprised by how well it worked. The color blends very well with other colors, and shading holds well and works really well for some of the smaller projects.

Pros:

UV and weather-resistant Great for smaller projects Can be cleaned up with soap and water Color blends well

Cons:

Some mentioned that the spray was a little runny

DIY Concrete Kitchen Counter

Transform your countertops into this gorgeous concrete kitchen counter at a fraction of the cost with this DIY project. To start, you’re going to need to gather all your details, this includes a large trowel, putty knife, mixing bucket and stick, measuring buckets, sandpaper, mask, sealant concrete, and the concrete stain.

To start, you’re going to properly wipe down your kitchen countertop and get rid of any loose edges or bumps. Then, you’re going to have to sand the countertops before mixing up your concrete.

Then, you’ll spread the concrete over the countertops with your trowel and allow it to set. After it has dried, sand the surface with coarse sandpaper. Make sure you wear a face mask.

Finally, you’ll add your concrete stain with a paintbrush. Afterward, allow it to dry. This is much simpler than an extensive renovation, and you’ll have a glossy concrete kitchen countertop in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ

Is Concrete Stain Good For Pool Decks?

For concrete pool decks, use a penetrating semi transparent deck stain. Staining your pool deck is a good DIY project that adds value to your home.

When you stain your concrete deck, it enhances your backyard landscape. After you apply a stain to your pool deck, your deck will look brand new.

Is It Better To Stain Or Paint Concrete?

Paint lasts longer and you don’t have to worry about chipping or peeling. Stan can help hide imperfections or patchwork on concrete surfaces. In comparison, acid stain permeates concrete pores while interacting with different components.

How Long Does Concrete Stain Last On Exterior Concrete Floors?

Before you apply a top coat of paint to your concrete floor, allow four hours for the paint to dry. Stained concrete surfaces will last a century.

Is Stained Concrete Slippery?

When wet, stained concrete is slippery. especially if it has been coated with a high-gloss sealer. For concrete floors or walkways exposed to moisture, you can add more slip resistance without changing the color.

Concrete Stain Conclusion

In the world of DIY home improvement, concrete stain is essential. If you have a new concrete surface, and you don’t know what to do with it, applying a concrete stain would be a logical move.

With the available coloring options, you won’t have any problems finding a stain to match your pool deck, for example. Regardless, you want a stain that will deliver optimum results.

With a patio surface, concrete stain can be applied with a pump sprayer or paintbrush. You can log on to YouTube and find instructional videos that will show you how to do it.

Once you have your pool deck looking the way you want, you can upload a photo of it on Instagram.