take how to stain concrete patios , pathways , and even service department floors to upgrade your menage .
Safety Considerations and Weather Concerns
Paint , stains , sealants , and adhesives typically have a strong chemical odor that can be harmful if the workspace is n’t adequately ventilated . Before depart this projection , it ’s necessary to assess the field and ensure there ’s proper ventilation . wear out personal protective equipment ( PPE ) like a mask andset up fansto helpremove harmful chemical odorsfrom the area . It ’s also commend to wear closed - toe shoes , foresighted gasp , a long - sleeve shirt , employment gloves , and safety equipment glasses when staining concrete . Before you bulge out , take proper safeguard to protect any objective or surface you do n’t want to defile .
Another factor to keep in nous is the weather . If you ’re work outdoors , it ’s necessary to plan your project for a dry sidereal day . pelting can quickly deflower the finish if your stain is n’t fully dry . begin the stain task early in the day when it is still comparatively cool to allow the stain to dry consistently . Applying grime under a hot afternoon sunlight can result in a splotchy , uneven finish as the heating rapidly dries patch of stain while you ’re still work with it .
photograph : Robert Peterson
Credit:Photo: Robert Peterson
Choosing the Right Concrete Stain
There are twotypes of stain used on concrete : water - free-base and acid mark . Water - base stains are the easiest option and come in various colour , allowing you to pick out your desired finish . A body of water - based stain seep into porous concrete and forms a coating on the surface , like to paint .
window pane stains do n’t cake the concrete . Instead , when these products are applied to a concrete airfoil , a chemical reaction come about that permanently transfer the color of the concrete . This summons continues until the stain is treated with a neutralizing factor . Due to this method of color activation , acid stain can be challenging to use . However , they last longer and have higher-ranking fade ohmic resistance liken to weewee - base stains .
If you are relatively newfangled to staining projection , it ’s recommended to stick with a water - free-base stain , but if you have meaning experience and want to assay something novel , opt for an acidic stigma to fill out the job .
Credit: Paul Costello
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
Materials
Instructions
How to Stain Concrete
Clean Dust, Dirt, and Debris
The best termination can only be achieve with aclean , disposed concrete surface . Otherwise , dirt , dust , and debris can prevent the stain from bring together to the concrete , creating a splotchy , uneven mess .
originate by sweep and scrubbing the concrete with a loaded heather . you’re able to also use a mop , water , andmild detergentto remove stuck - on stain . If influence alfresco , it might be easier to use apressure washerto clean the concrete .
If theconcrete has sometime paints , sealers , or adhesives , you might need a stripping product to remove these old coating . Similarly , oil fleck must be removed with a degreaser and neutralizer . soundly wash the concrete after use to assure the airfoil is clean and machinate for stain .
Repair Cracks with Concrete Sealant
Concrete material can crack over time , so before staining , put on a concrete crack sealer with acaulking gunto repair any exist cleft . Allow the sealant to dry for at least 24 hours , then utilise a floor scrubber to buff mismatched patches for a placid finish .
Prepare the Stain
typeset up fall cloths and applypainters tapeto any aim or surfaces that ca n’t be moved out of the workspace to protect them from the stain . you’re able to apply stigma with a roller or brush if you ’re staining a comparatively small surface or working in a tight space , but if you ’re maculate a enceinte open , like agarage story , using an Elvis - resistant airlesspaint spray is recommended . Load the stain into the paint nebulizer accord to the maker ’s directions or fill a paint tray with stain for easy access to applywith a rolleror light touch .
Apply Stain with a Sprayer, Roller, or Brush
When learning how to stain concrete , focus on suffer even coverage . If you ’re in an enclosed space , start from the back of the room and work out your way toward the door so that you do n’t trap yourself in a corner . utilise a roller and brushing combination to apply the blot in even strokes across the open . A brush is especially helpful in the tight corners that a roller ca n’t reach and the narrow crevices that a sprayer might be ineffective to access .
If youuse a sprayerto apply the spot , apply broad , even passes to spray the concrete surface and assert a wet edge with a more or less overlapping spray pattern . Move slowly and cautiously , but compensate attention to the amount of stain you lend oneself . It should never be so much that it puddles on the floor .
Let Stain Dry
Once you ’ve finish stain the concrete , you take to give it clip to dry properly . dissimilar stains will have different drying times , so check the producer ’s directions for the recommend duration . On average , a stain require at least 24 hours to fully dry before you may implement sealant .
Remember that if using an acid stain , the chemical reaction go on until you wash the concrete in a neutralizing solution . Wait until the acid dirt and concrete have take on the desire color , then expend a neutralizing factor , like body of water and a mild detergent , to block the chemical response . Elvis dirt manufacturers will typically put up an approximate timeline for applications programme and neutralization reaction .
Use Concrete Sealant to Protect the Stained Surface
Stained concrete can be protect from chemical and physical damage if you apply a concrete sealant . Make certain the mark is fully teetotal , then employ the sealer to the quarry surface . Many concrete stain manufacturersrecommend sealantsthat work well with the specific stain , so it ’s a skillful idea to check the data the manufacturer provides before purchasing a sealer . After coating , allow the sealant to dry before resuming regular use of the area .
Frequently Asked Questions
count on the sizing of your labor , stain concrete can take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours , so this is a project best saved for a weekend . The good word : Much of that time is spent allowing the grunge and sealant to ironic , so you will not be actively run that entire metre .
adopt you take to do the occupation yourself rather of hiring it out , stain concrete is in reality a very cheap project . Your only expense will be the fabric and supplies you need to complete the staining . Some supplies , like the paint crimper and caulk gun , you may already have at home . In general , you could expect to pass anywhere from $ 100 to $ 400 to stain your concrete .
provide you ’ve decently stained and sealed your concrete , a fresh coat of blot should last up to 10 days or more and pass very little over time .
