Water-based Concrete Stain: An Easy Reference
Using water-based concrete stain
There are two primary types of concrete stain-acid stain and water-based stain. This article specifically addresses how to stain concrete using water-based concrete stain.
Choosing a stain
Water-based stain differs from acid-stain in that it creates a more uniform finish. Acid stain will create a marbled look on concrete whereas water based stain has a slightly more paint-like appearance. Water-based stain does not contain any dangerous chemicals and will not be harmful to skin or any nearby foliage if you are staining outdoor surfaces. It is easily removed from skin or other surfaces with soap and water. If you choose water based stain, there are a few simple guidelines to follow for flawless results.
Preparing the surface
When using water based stain, it is absolutely vital to prepare your surface before applying the stain. First, remove any paint, glue, oil or attached debris from the surface you wish to stain. You can remove paint or glue with a simple paint scraper. If your concrete has oil stains, you can use lacquer thinner to remove those. If that does not work, products specifically designed to remove oil stains from concrete are widely available at home improvement stores. Second, thoroughly wash the surface. If you are staining an outside surface, power washing is best. If you are doing indoor surfaces, make sure any cleaning agent used does not leave behind any sort of reside.
Once you have thoroughly cleaned your surface, the next step is etching. Etching actually removes tiny bits of the concrete, making the surface more porous. If you do not etch your surface prior to staining, the stain will not bond as well to the concrete and is easily scraped off. Concrete etching products are widely available at your local home improvement store and they are all pretty similar. It is recommended, if available, to pick one formulated to be used in conjunction with the brand of stain you choose. If the etcher is a powder, mix it in the concentration outlined in the directions. Apply the etcher with a pump sprayer uniformly over the concrete surface. Once applied, use a push broom to scrub the etcher over the surface. The etcher will take on a milky white appearance. After the etcher has been brushed onto the surface, wash it off immediately with water. Make sure your concrete is totally dry before beginning the staining process.
Staining the surface
First, choose your application method. You can use a brush (recommended for smaller surfaces), a roller or a pump sprayer. A pump sprayer will give you the most coverage per gallon of stain. If you are using multiple gallons of stain, it is important to first mix them together in a container. Stains can vary in color slightly from one gallon to the next, so it is important to mix them in order to get one uniform color. Now simply cover the surface as uniformly as possible with your stain. The stain will be dry to the touch in approximately an hour. If you want a more marbled appearance to your water-based stain, you can now go over the surface of the concrete with an accent color. Apply this darker color in a loose, random pattern over your stained area.
Sealing the surface
Once you have stained the concrete to your liking and the surface has dried, you are ready to seal the concrete. Concrete sealant is also easy to find at your local home improvement store. The most popular is a “wet look” sealer that will give your sealed concrete a shiny appearance. This is best applied with a pump sprayer, but can be applied with a brush or a roller as well. When applying your concrete sealer, be advised that this can have a milky white appearance when it hits the surface. The sealer will dry clear. Once the sealer is dry, allow 24 hours before replacing furniture or other items. Allow 72 hours before heavy or vehicle traffic.
On surfaces with heavy traffic, it may be necessary to do touch ups from time to time. It is a good idea to save a small amount of your stain and sealer for those touch ups.
