Concrete Staining & Colour
Concrete stain is how you colour the slab itself, not paint sitting on top. We apply acid stains for that variegated, translucent look, and water-based dyes when you want a saturated, uniform colour, then seal to lock it in.
Where this works
- Retail & hospitality floors
- Residential open-plan slabs
- Feature walls & fireplaces
- Restored industrial floors
- Outdoor concrete patios (UV-stable dyes)
How we install it
- 1Open the surface
Existing sealers or coatings must come off. New slabs need to be at least 28 days old and lightly acid-etched or diamond-ground so the stain can penetrate.
- 2Apply stain
Acid stains are applied with a sprayer and worked with a nylon brush to encourage variegation. Dyes are applied evenly for saturated colour.
- 3Neutralise & rinse
Reactive stains are neutralised with a baking-soda wash and rinsed until pH-neutral. This stops residues fighting the sealer.
- 4Seal
Penetrating sealer for a natural matt look, or acrylic / polyurethane top coats for higher sheen and stain protection.
Common pitfalls we prevent
Frequently asked
Can I use concrete stain outdoors?+
Yes with the right chemistry — UV-stable water-based dyes and acid stains both work outdoors, sealed with a UV-stable acrylic. Not solvent-based dyes.
How long does a stained floor last?+
The colour is in the slab itself and doesn't fade. The sealer wears — expect to re-seal a domestic floor every 5–7 years, and a commercial floor every 2–4 years depending on traffic.
Can you stain over an old coating?+
No. The old coating has to be diamond-ground off first. That's part of the quote.
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