Concrete Coloring and Staining

Stains for concrete come in two general categories: acid-base stains and water-based acrylics. They both work by penetrating the surface and reacting chemically with the hydrated lime in the concrete. Acid stains lightly etch the surface of the concrete allowing the stain's color to penetrate more easily. Once the stain reacts, it becomes a permanent part of the concrete. The palette for acid-etch staining is generally limited to earthy tones, such as tans, browns, terra cottas and soft blue greens.

Water based stains offer a much broader spectrum of hues. Like as acid stains, water based stains (typically a blend of polymers and pigments), penetrate the concrete to produce permament colors, ranging from translucent to opaque.