Acrylic Concrete Stains Offer An Easy
Alternative to Reactive Stains

Acrylic concrete stains are non-reactive, semi-transparent stains with adhesive properties for creating a bond with porous concrete.

They are ideal for coloring just about any prepared concrete surface. Unlike the chemical process of acid stains, acrylic stains act like a dye which produce a more uniform appearance. They are thin like milk which allows them to seep into the pores. Because of this, they are not as susceptible to peeling or flaking as paint. They work well for new or existing concrete surfaces and especially those with too many cosmetic defects for acid staining.

In order for acryic stains to work properly and last, the concrete surface must open (porous). If you apply them to a super slick, hard-troweled surface, or concrete that already has a coating, they won't last. Concrete can be made more porous by grinding, sanding, or acid etching.

You can use these stains on interior and exterior surfaces including:

Patios
Porches
Driveways
Walkways
Retaining walls
Landscape steps
Garage floors
Basement floors

They are resistant to UV rays, foot traffic, heat from vehicle tires, moisture, mildew, acids and alkalis as well as mother nature.

For do-it-yourselfers, water based stains are non-toxic and easy to apply making them much more user friendly. Application can be done by rolling, brushing, spraying, sponging, etc.

These stains also come in a wide selection of colors, more than that of acid stains. You can also use blending techniques to create your own unique marbling effect or use an object such as a sponge to make patterns with accent colors. But whether you want a simple color or multiple color patterns, acrylic stains will make your dull concrete much more appealing.

You can also perform simple scoring techniques to further enhance a concrete surface. Use your imagination to create designs and patterns.

concrete scoring

It's important to know that there are many products that claim to be "concrete stains" and, in my opinion, many are not. There's a difference between coatings and stains. Coatings lay on top of the surface whereas stains penetrate the surface. If it's not thin and can't penetrate the tiny pores of concrete, then it's not a stain.

Find Out More About Acrylic Stains!

Surface Prep for Acrylic Concrete Stains... Preparing the surface is important for a successful project. It differs from acid staining and is the key to a lasting finish.

Application of Acrylic Concrete Stains... Learn methods, tips, and pitfalls for applying the stain. There's a few ways and one may be better than the other depending on your situation.

Sealing After Acrylic Staining... Protect the finish and add shine to it with concrete sealers.

Water Based Concrete Stain... Why water based stains are typically better than other acrylic stains.

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