Concrete porch stained with acid stain.
Concrete porch stained with acid stain.

Concrete stains are available in acid-based or transparent and opaque water-based solutions. They can be used to give plain concrete a beautiful new look, but don’t apply concrete stains over existing paint or sealers.

Cleaning concrete porch (left), applying acid stain to concrete (right).
Cleaning concrete porch (left) and applying acid stain to concrete (right).

When staining concrete surfaces:

    1. Clean Surface: Use an etcher and degreaser to prepare the surface of the concrete.
    1. Test Surface: Rinse and dry the cleaned concrete surface, then test the surface by splashing water on it. If the water beads up, the stain won’t absorb into the concrete and will not be effective at achieving the desired look.
  1. Stain Concrete: Apply concrete stain following the directions on the container.

Further Information

This tip brought to you by:
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VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
If you have ordinary concrete surfaces, you can be easily transform them into beautiful and unique surfaces using concrete stains.

These stains are available in acid-based or transparent and opaque water-based solutions. But don’t attempt to apply them over existing paint or sealers. Be sure to use an etcher and degreaser to prepare the surface.

And after rinsing and drying, thoroughly test the surface for penetrability by splashing water on it. If the water beads, the stain won’t absorb and will not be effective at achieving the desired look.

These tips are brought to you by QUIKRETE – What America’s Made Of.

Editorial Contributors
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Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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