how do you stain a new concrete driveway

Here are the steps to apply Outdoor Concrete Stain:

• Add mixture to the pump sprayer.
• Spray mixture onto surface, allowing pooling to take place. The surface should appear wet.
• For marbling effect, add even more stain to the surface to amplify the pooling effect. This will create a natural marbled appearance in your concrete driveway.
• Apply 2 coats of outdoor concrete stain to achieve desired color.

Full Answer

How do you clean a concrete driveway?

The Best Ways to Clean Concrete Driveways

• Basics of Concrete. The bumpy surface of concrete creates lots of little spots for dirt, decomposing leaves, oil and other gunk to settle and stick.
• Soap and Water. For general cleaning, a simple concrete driveway cleaner made from soap and water usually works. ...
• Power Washing. ...
• Trisodium Phosphate. ...
• Chlorine Bleach. ...

How to seal a concrete driveway, patio or sidewalk?

• Many concrete crack fillers, sometimes called masonry crack fillers, are designed for cracks up to 1/4-inch wide. ...
• The use of a concrete backer rod is recommended for cracks wider than 1/4-inch, since these cracks are usually deep. ...
• Before you apply the new filler, break up any old concrete patch materials with a hammer or masonry chisel .

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What to know about sealing concrete driveways?

• Solvent-based sealers are more glossy than all other types of sealers. The gloss level of solvent-based sealers vary between 80 and 100. ...
• The water-based solvents come in next. These provide mid-level gloss between 50 and 80. ...
• Finally, the penetrating sealers used for sealing a concrete driveway provide the zero gloss or no-gloss look.

How do I Cure my concrete driveway?

Your contractor should:

• Level or strike off the concrete with a screed to achieve a uniform surface.
• Float the concrete with a wood or magnesium bullfloat before bleedwater accumulates.
• Apply a simple broom finish to improve traction-unless plans call for stamping the driveway or applying another type of decorative textured finish (see Making Concrete Slip Resistant ).

How do you stain newly poured concrete?

New concrete should be fully cured before staining, which takes between 21 and 28 days....Prepare the Surface for Staining. ... Apply the Concrete Stain. ... Clean Up & Neutralize the Stain. ... Add a Protective Coat of Sealer.

What should I use to stain my concrete driveway?

2:445:24How to Stain an Old Concrete Driveway Cheap and Easy - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we're sealing here with the sprayable satin finish sealer that is a solvent based acrylic.MoreSo we're sealing here with the sprayable satin finish sealer that is a solvent based acrylic.

How long do you have to wait to stain new concrete?

Concrete should be fully cured before applying acid stain, so if your surface is new, wait 28 days before staining.

Is staining concrete a good idea?

Stained concrete is one of the easiest ways to enhance your indoor and outdoor spaces with beautiful new floors. From staining an existing surface to resurfacing damaged concrete and replacing worn-out floor coverings, your floors can become better than new with durable, decorative concrete.

Is it better to paint or stain a concrete driveway?

Concrete stain embeds the surface to color it translucently, while opaque concrete paint covers the top of the concrete but is subject to chipping and peeling when improperly applied. Concrete stains go on quicker, dry faster and take less work than concrete paint, but they offer no significant protection.

Do you have to etch concrete before staining?

Despite what other websites say, most concrete floors do not need etching. If the concrete is very smooth (some builders trowel it smooth) then yes, you need to etch either with acid or with a floor grinder.

Do I need to seal after staining concrete?

To prolong stain life, stain manufacturers recommend keeping stained surfaces protected with multiple coats of clear sealer (outdoors) and a floor wax (indoors). A good sealer will provide other benefits as well, such as adding sheen to the surface and enhancing color intensity.

What is the average cost to stain concrete?

Staining concrete typically costs $7 to $15 per square foot. Contractors charge between $2 and $4 per square foot for a simple stain job and between $12 and $25 per square foot for high-end designs.

Should you seal a new concrete driveway?

After getting a new concrete driveway poured, one thing our Houston concrete contractors highly recommend is having your new concrete driveway sealed. Driveway concrete sealer helps to protect and preserve the appearance of your new driveway by reducing the risk of small and large cracks.

Does staining concrete make it slippery?

Like any hard, smooth surface, stained concrete can become slippery when wet, especially if it has been coated with a high-gloss sealer. For concrete floors or walkways exposed to moisture or in areas with a lot of foot traffic, there are ways you can increase the slip resistance without affecting the color.

How long does driveway stain last?

And because stains permeate the concrete to infuse it with permanent color, a stained concrete floor or pavement should last a lifetime when properly maintained (see How to Protect and Maintain Stained Concrete .

Will concrete stain peel off?

Because stains penetrate into the concrete surface, their color is durable and long-lasting. When applied to properly prepared concrete, the color will not fade, chip, or peel away.

Can you stain an existing concrete driveway?

Staining is an economical and highly versatile way to upgrade the look of both new and existing concrete driveways. Stains penetrate deeply into the concrete surface, producing fade-resistant, permanent color that will not flake off or peel away.

Can you stain existing outdoor concrete?

Your existing old concrete should be fine to stain, so long as it is not contaminated with glue, paint, oil, grease, sealers, waxes, or anything else that would prevent the stain from soaking into the pores of the concrete.

How can I change the color of my concrete driveway?

Yes it is totally possible to change the colour of your concrete. You would first need to remove the old sealer using the Stripping solution (link below), then apply the Solid colour stain. If you want to just have it one colour then you can finish here by applying a sealer over the top.

Is there a concrete stain and sealer in one?

ROCKSOLID® CONCRETE STAIN + SEALER seals, protects and beautifies concrete and masonry surfaces with the benefit of color and protection all in one. This time-saving product can be tinted to give the look of a semi-transparent stain, with the robust protection of a sealer in a single step.

Step 1 - Clean Your Soon-To-Be-Stained Driveway

Before you will be able to stain your concrete driveway, you will need to give it a thorough cleaning. Start this step by using a garden hose to vi...

Step 2 - Stain Your Concrete Driveway

With the area sparkly clean, you may now proceed to stain your concrete driveway. Kick off this step by ensuring that you are well-protected, as co...

Step 3 - Apply Your Concrete Sealer

After your final coat of stain has been applied and has had plenty of time to dry, it is recommended that you give the driveway an added layer of p...

What to wear to apply concrete stain?

Additionally, it is recommended that you wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt while applying your stain. After donning the appropriate attire, pour some of the concrete stain into a paint tray and proceed to load up a long-handled paint roller.

Can you stain a concrete driveway?

With the area sparkly clean, you may now proceed to stain your concrete driveway. Kick-off this step by ensuring that you are well-protected, as concrete stain carries some powerful fumes and can cause problems if it comes into contact with your skin. Thus, you will need to perform this job sporting a pair of protective gloves, a pair of safety goggles and a breathing mask. Additionally, it is recommended that you wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt while applying your stain.

Can you use sealer on concrete?

After your final coat of stain has been applied and has had plenty of time to dry, it is recommended that you give the driveway an added layer of protection by applying a layer of concrete sealer. The sealer can be applied in the exact same manner as your stain, although in the interest of avoiding chemical reactions and harmful fumes, make sure to don the previously specified protective gear and use a clean paint roller and paint tray for the sealer application.

How long does it take for a stain to dry on a concrete driveway?

Start in the center of your driveway again and work your way to the outer edges, allowing 4 hours of drying time in between each coat. Rinse a small corner of your driveway to see how the stain has affected the concrete to see if you like the color. If you’re happy with the color after 1 coat, you can skip adding more.

What to use to clean driveway residue?

Use a power washer to remove any residue from your driveway. [2]

What is the best stain for concrete?

Water-based stain will give you a more vibrant color and completely cover your concrete, unlike acid stain that is more muted and translucent. Find a color that complements your yard and home. Solid color water-based stain can be purchased at a paint store or a home and garden store.

How long does it take for a stain to dry?

Let the stain dry overnight. Solid color stain usually takes 2 coats and you should wait 24 hours before starting on your next coat. This gives the stain time to dry and set so you can walk on it the next day.

What happens if you scrub concrete with a broom?

If you scrub too hard with the broom, it could lift some of the stain from your concrete and affect the color. Remember, you’re not scrubbing the concrete, you’re just moving the residue off of it.

How to get acid out of a plastic bottle?

2. Fill a plastic pump sprayer with the acid. Pour the acid from the bottle into the pump sprayer. Be slow as you transfer the acid stain so it doesn’t splash or spill. It’s not necessary to dilute the acid with water, but you can mix it with an equal amount of water if you want a lighter color.

What color is acid stain?

Purchase an acid stain from a hardware store. Acid stains come in earth tone colors, like terra cotta or shades of brown and create a permanent marbling effect on your concrete. Find the color that would work best for you and purchase the amount of stain needed for your driveway.

When to apply stain to concrete?

Stain colors will be more intense if you apply the stain soon after the concrete has been placed.

How long does it take for concrete to cure before staining?

New concrete should be fully cured before staining, which takes between 21 and 28 days. Whether you're a professional wanting to add staining to your repertoire or a homeowner who loves a DIY challenge, here are the steps for staining concrete: Clean and prepare the concrete. Apply the concrete stain.

How to get rid of a stain on a door?

Here's how: Mask off area to protect door frames, walls, etc. Dilute stain with water to desired ratio (see your manufacturer’s recommendations for specifics). Spray or brush on first coat. Popular sprayers include airless sprayers, HVLP sprayers, production guns, pump sprayers or even a trigger spray bottle.

Why do you use stains on stencils?

But because stains tend to be thin solutions to ensure good penetration, it can be a challenge to prevent them from bleeding under the stencil or to keep the application within defined pattern lines . An easy way to conquer this problem is to use a special thickening agent or gel that improves application control and permits freehand artistry.

What is Smith's color floor stain?

Another product, Smith's Color Floor Gel from Smith Paints, is a viscose water-based gel stain developed for extra control when creating intricate patterns and crisp edges or lines. It dries to a natural, variegated finish and can be applied with a sea sponge or bristle brush.

What is the difference between water based and acid based stain?

There are a few differences between how acid and water-based stains are applied. Acid stains need more time to react with the concrete and require neutralization, while water based stains need additional surface preparation to open up the concrete.

Why is it important to prep concrete before staining?

Be scrupulous with surface preparation to ensure removal of contaminants or defects that could ruin an otherwise beautiful staining job. (See Cleaning Floors Before Concrete Staining .)

How long does concrete need to cure before staining?

Staining contractors recommend that concrete be allowed to cure for 28 to 30 days before applying stain. Curing agents can speed this process, but will need to be removed before you stain the concrete.

What to do if concrete is darkening?

If the concrete is darkening it is absorbing the water. You just need to sweep and mop and you're ready to go. Although unlikely on a newly placed slab, if the water does bead up, you probably have curing agents, sealants, waxes or other coatings that will need to be removed first.

Can you use dyes and tints with chemical stains?

Dyes and tints can be used hand in hand with chemical stains to darken or lighten colors, provide color variations or create brighter colors than is possible with stains. If dyes or tints you use aren't resistant to ultraviolet, they can be coated with an ultraviolet resistant sealer that will make them colorfast.

Can you use dyes with stains?

Dyes and tints can be used hand in hand with chemical stains to darken or lighten colors, provide color variations or create brighter colors than is possible with stains. If dyes or tints you use aren't resistant to ultraviolet, they can be coated with an ultraviolet resistant sealer that will make them colorfast.

Can you stain concrete floors?

If you're considering whether you really want to cover your concrete floors with carpet, vinyl, tile or other expensive floor coverings, you might want to consider staining the concrete itself. Staining is one of the most popular ways to liven up a dull gray concrete floor. Combined with sandblast etching, sawing and other creative touches. staining can yield breath-taking results. So if you didn't put stain into the concrete when it was poured, there's still time to create exciting colorful floors from the bare concrete.

How long to wait to paint concrete?

To achieve the best results, wait until the 28-day period is over to apply paint or stain, and then follow the top tips outlined in this video from the concrete pros at Quikrete. Advertisement.

How to cure concrete slabs?

Pond curing is another great way to cure concrete, and the process is just as it sounds: You form temporary berms around a new concrete slab, and then flood the area inside them with one foot of water. Three days of pond curing does the work of seven days of moist curing, and without daily attention—just be sure the water level remains above the concrete slab. If it drops, you’ll need to refill a little. This technique isn’t for everyone, though, because it takes quite a bit of soil to form berms around a big concrete slab. Large-scale builders may use this method to speed up the construction process when pouring foundation slabs, for example, in order to get on to framing the structure.

Why does concrete crack?

While curing concrete will go a long way toward strengthening the finished project, many concrete slabs will crack anyway—despite all precautions—due to concrete shrinkage as water is used up in the hydration process as well as temperature fluctuations.

How long does it take for concrete to harden?

Although concrete will harden soon after pouring, it’s still susceptible to damage from weight during the first four weeks. Wait at least 24 hours before allowing foot traffic, including pets, on a newly poured sidewalk or slab, and don’t drive a vehicle on a new driveway for at least 10 days. After that, you can drive regular passenger cars on the concrete; heavy pickups or RVs can roll onto the driveway once the concrete reaches its full strength, at around 28 days.

How to keep concrete moist?

When you don’t have time to revisit your concrete with a hose as many times as necessary for true moist curing, another option is to use a cover that can trap and slow the evaporation of the moisture in the mix. Either polyethylene sheeting that’s at least 4mm thick or a concrete curing insulating blanket—both available from DIY stores—are good for this task. Wet the concrete thoroughly, and then cover it with the sheeting of your choice, using bricks, rocks, or other heavy items to hold it in place. Remove the sheeting or blanket daily, wet the concrete again, re-cover it, and repeat for seven days. This technique can also be used for upright concrete columns and walls by wetting them down and wrapping them with a curing blanket or plastic sheeting.

How to determine the spacing between concrete joints?

Determine the maximum spacing between joints (in feet) by multiplying the planned concrete thickness (in inches) by 2.5. For example, if you’re creating a sidewalk that is 4 inches deep, you’d multiply 4 by 2.5 to get a distance of 10 feet between joints. Feel free to place them closer together for added crack protection. On a larger square slab, like a patio, you’ll want to consider breaking the concrete with joints that are perpendicular, too—down as well as across. Then, if your slab patio, driveway, or sidewalk cracks, it will most likely do so along a precut joint and can, therefore, go virtually unnoticed.

What temperature does concrete go dormant?

Concrete’s chemical reaction slows at 50 degrees Fahrenheit and completely stops at 45 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning that it’ll go dormant and it won’t gain strength.

How to get rid of oil stains on concrete?

If the concrete still bears a mark, don rubber gloves and goggles and do the following: Mix one cup of TSP (trisodium phosphate) in a gallon of hot water, then pour the solution over the blemish. Let it soak in for at least 30 minutes, ...

How to get a stain out of paint?

If the stain is relatively fresh and small, put on rubber gloves and eye protection before mixing one cup of TSP into a gallon of hot water. Pour the solution over the paint, work it into the stain with a sti ff, long-handled brush, and then rinse with your hose set to the highest flow. Advertisement.

How to clean a dog's poop?

To clean up after him, follow these instructions: First scrape off dried droppings with a metal shovel or poop scooper. Then prepare a cleaning solution of one-eighth cup liquid dishwashing detergent, one-half cup baking soda, and one gallon of water. Mix the solution thoroughly before pouring it over the stained area.

How to get paint off a paint spill?

Use a brush or thick sponge to smear the paste over the entire paint spill and allow 20 minutes of dwell time. Use a plastic paint scraper to remove the paste and loosened paint. If there’s still quite a bit of stain, spread the paint stripping paste again and leave on for half an hour before again scraping it away.

What to use to clean rust off concrete?

Rinse and repeat if the concrete doesn’t come clean. For old or large rust stains, use commercial rust remover. Because these products contain much more powerful acid than vinegar, protection for your eyes and hands is a must.

Can rust stain concrete?

While those marks can be difficult to conquer completely, these next treatments are sure to greatly reduce them. A fairly new rust stain may succumb to the mild acid of white vinegar.