Applying a concrete stain to garage floors and other concrete surfaces achieves a more attractive appearance is a rapidly growing design trend. Concrete stains are an affordable way to give your concrete floor or wall a decorative appearance using a procedure that isn’t all that complicated. But there are ten things you should consider beforehand when shopping for a concrete stain.

(1) Evaluate whether you want to work with an acid-based concrete stain or an acrylic stain. Acid-based concrete stains require more safeguards because they contain chemical compounds that can cause irritations along with strong smells and results can be more unpredictable. Acrylic stains, on the other hand, are more like water-based latex paints, with less corrosive elements and a much lower threshold of detectable odors. Acrylic stains are better if you want better coverage of existing flaws because acrylic seeps down into the concrete’s pours.

(2) Since concrete stain is usually applied with a sprayer, be sure you can cover and protect nearby areas and landscaping from inadvertently being stained.

(3) Realize that any stain you apply will magnify the concrete’s existing variations as well as blemishes, rather than hide it the way an application of paint would.

(4) Explore the full range of colors available in concrete stains.

(5) Recognize that you must test a patch of concrete once you select your color, especially is choosing an acid-based stain. Every stain application varies in color depending upon the stain’s reaction to the concrete surface, so test first and don’t expect an exact match to the samples you saw while exploring.

(6) It’s a good idea to practice the staining procedure in a small test area before tackling a very large job. Consider hiring a professional with staining experience because too little stain will leave the area devoid of color and too much stain will cause uneven colorations.

(7) Be sure that the concrete surface to be stained has been neutralized with all traces of residue removed.

(8) Expect to apply a sealant after the concrete stain application, and this, too, must be applied evenly and properly to eliminate any telltale application marks.

(9) Your results can only be as good as the canvas you start with, so don’t expect to transform extremely old or blemished concrete into a beautiful masterpiece of staining.

(10) Hiring a professional staining applicator just may prove to be the best investment of your money if you don’t have the patience to practice staining prior to undertaking a large project.