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Acid Stain vs. Colored Sealer

Q. If it's suggested that you seal the concrete after staining it, then it seems logical to just go with a colored sealer and get it done with one step. However, using acid stains still seems like a popular option, so I can help but think I'm missing something. Is there a disadvantage to using colored sealers (vs. staining, THEN sealing) that I'm not aware of?

A. Acid staining involves a chemical reaction that produces a mottled, variegated appearance that looks natural. This multi-hued appearance is the main reason for the popularity of acid staining. A colored sealer will produce a much more opaque and uniform appearance similar to paint. The biggest advantage of acid staining is the fact that it can't peel or flake away. There are two reasons for sealing after staining: to make the colors "pop" and to protect the surface.

Most sealers will wear down over time, especially outside. So as colored sealer wears down, it becomes very obvious because the original color of the concrete starts showing. When the clear sealer on stained concrete wears down, the color is still there and it just looks like it's fading. That basically means colored sealers require much more maintenance to keep a nice, clean look.