How to Stain Interior Concrete

Concrete is becoming more popular as a choice for interior floors. You can stain concrete just like you stain wood. And like staining wood, staining concrete is just as permanent. You can use these same techniques to stain walls, covered outdoor patio flooring, or even concrete artwork and statues.

Things You'll Need

• Tri-sodium phosphate
• Synthetic mop
• Masking tape
• Plastic with embedded masking tape on edge
• Ready-to-use concrete stain
• Pump-type garden sprayer
• Stiff brush
• Ammonia
• Soft broom or other soft brush
• Concrete sealers
• Paint roller with extension handle
• Lamb's wood applicator

Instructions

1. Strip off any existing finishes such as wax, paint or curing agents. Don't use an acid-based cleaner for this step; it will render the concrete unsuitable for staining.

2. Clean the floor. Use tri-sodium phosphate according to manufacturer's instructions and scrub the surface well. Use a synthetic mop because cotton leaves lint behind, which will mar the finished surface. Rinse well with clean water.

3. Protect adjacent surfaces with masking tape and plastic with tape. Use the kind of plastic that has tape on one edge. Once applied to the surface to be protected, open the plastic to its full width of about 24 inches and secure it so that adjacent surfaces are covered for 2 feet beyond their intersection with the concrete.

4. Apply the stain. Use a pump-type garden sprayer. Apply enough stain to saturate the surface you want to stain, but not enough to cause puddles to form. Keep the nozzle end of the sprayer moving when actively spraying. If necessary, use a stiff brush to move around stain on areas where stain has pooled. To avoid leaving brush marks, brush in a circular motion.

5. Allow the stain to dry completely. If applying a second coat, let the first coat dry 1 to 2 hours.

6. Apply a second coat. Allow the final coat to dry for 24 hours.

7. Remove residue. This residue will form as the stain dries. Clean it with a mixture of 1 cup ammonia and 5 gallons clean water. Use an acrylic mop, soft broom or other similar soft brush to wash off the residue. Rinse well with plain water. Allow this to dry for 24 hours.

8. Apply sealer. Don't pour sealer onto concrete. Use a paint roller with a handle extension to apply the sealer to the concrete. Don't skimp. Put on a thick layer of sealer for the first and second coats. Let the first coat dry until no longer sticky, then apply a second coat. Allow the final coat of sealer to dry completely, at least 48 hours.

9. Apply liquid acrylic floor wax, if desired. Apply a thin coat using a lamb's wool applicator. Brush in one direction only and take care not to leave any puddles of wax. Let the first coat dry for an hour, then apply a thin second coat. Allow the floor to dry overnight before using it.

Tips & Warnings

• You'll find everything you need to stain concrete at a home improvement center.

• Provide adequate ventilation when working with any of the products used to stain a concrete floor.