Help your concrete floor stand out.
Concrete is known for its iconic gray surface finish, but that doesn’t mean it’s not customizable. By using stains, dyes and more, you can apply an interior design vision to concrete! Whether you’re looking for a subtle change or a dramatic statement, concrete stains can help you achieve the look you’re going for.
What You Need for Concrete Stains & Pre-Installation Tips
Concrete stains require moderate effort to achieve correctly, and the more you’re able to prepare before your installation, the better. If you’re planning on applying stains onto your concrete system, make sure the concrete is fully cured first. You’re also going to need a few tools and other helpful resources if you want your installation to go as smoothly as possible:
- Concrete cleaning solution, like the affordable and high-quality Kemiko Neutra cleaning solution.
- Either acid or water based concrete staining system. On our EpoxyETC online store we offer a wide variety of stains and dyes in various colors, both acid and water-based, and all of them are high quality.
- Concrete sealer. We recommend our line of Xtreme Shield Concrete Sealer because its finish complements stained concrete floors beautifully.
- Safety gear (goggles, gloves, mask, boots)
- Tools for stain application, such as a paint roller, brush or pump sprayer
- Tape and plastic sheets can help guide your design so that it comes out exactly how you want it to. Using specialized 3M Blue Painters Tape can take your stain design from amateur to professional quality.
If you decide to use a water-based staining system, which often has a wider color variety, make sure that you purchase a high quality etching system for the stains to set into. On the other hand, an acid-based staining system, which will often offer richer, dark tones, requires a chemical neutralizer to achieve the desired results.
How To Apply Concrete Stains & Dyes
Now that you have all the necessary supplies, it’s time to make your concrete shine with color.
1. Cleaning Your Concrete
First, you need to make sure that the surface of the concrete is as clean as possible. Use your preferred concrete cleaning solution and thoroughly cleanse the floor, letting it dry fully before moving on to the next step.
2. Planning & Applying Your Concrete Stains
The process differs only slightly whether you’re using an acid or water-based solution, so be sure to research which is best for you as it’s a subjective, not objective, choice. After you’ve picked out a design for your floors, start laying out the design on the floor with your tape so that you have a good guide for the next step.
After you’ve planned out your design, it’s time to apply the stain! In long, even strokes, apply your preferred stains on the clean concrete surface. You might even want to use a pump sprayer for your first coat to ensure that the application is even.
Once you’ve applied the concrete stain, use a brush to work it into the surface of the concrete. This will help ensure that the stain is evenly distributed. Finally, let your stain dry & cure. It’s best to play it safe and let it sit for a full 24-hours before touching it again, even though in most cases it will be dry within a few hours.
3. Post-Application Concrete Stain Care
Reaching the end of the process before you get to fully enjoy your new stained floors, be sure to clean up any residue, rinse thoroughly and, if you’re using an acid-based staining system, chemically neutralize the stain. After letting that dry overnight, apply your preferred concrete sealer and let that dry & cure evenly on your new floors to help it shine as much as possible.
After all this is said and done, and your floors are dried and cleaned, you’ll have a beautiful, colorful addition to your concrete floors!
Learn How To Work With Concrete
Concrete stains are only a small part of working with concrete. For any aspiring contractors, our Polished Concrete University is the perfect program for you to learn all the fundamentals of the industry. The best way to learn your trade is with hands-on experience alongside professionals. In the class, we cover:
- Grinding & polishing concrete floors
- How to repair cracked & chipped concrete
- How to price your concrete services
Sign up and help your concrete contracting business soar today!
Conclusion
Concrete stains and dyes are a great way to add color and personality to your space. A pop of color can turn your standard gray concrete floor into a beautiful complement to your interior design vision with only moderate effort! With a little time and effort, you can achieve any look you’re going for. So get creative and have fun!
If you want our help with color charts, deciding what stain is best for you or any other concrete questions and concerns, contact our specialists at (954) 228-8856. From the stains to the sealers, our EpoxyETC store will have it for you at competitive prices.