Acid Stain

How to Acid Stain Concrete Countertops

Jul 25, 2021 Justin Richardson

Acid stain gives a countertop a finish nothing else reproduces — translucent, mottled, and permanent, because the color is a chemical reaction in the concrete rather than a layer on top of it. Countertops are small, so acid stain is often one of several techniques used on the same top.

before after everstain acid stained concrete countertop

A concrete countertop before and after EverStain™ acid stain.

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Note on results: every photo here is a real Direct Colors customer project. Acid stain is reactive and every countertop mix behaves differently, so test on an offcut or a hidden section before you commit — on a surface this small and this visible, it matters more than anywhere else.

The seven steps

1 · Clean: Organic cleaner and degreaser. Remove excess water but do not fully dry — acid stain reacts better on slightly damp concrete
2 · Protect: Gloves, eyes, respirator. Pour the stain into an all-plastic pump sprayer
3 · Spray: If you diluted the stain, check it fizzes on contact. No fizz means not enough acid — add more stain
4 · Work it: Brush in circular strokes for a darker tone; spray and leave it alone for a diffuse one
5 · Wait: Leave it at least the minimum activation time — longer is fine, shorter is not
6 · Neutralize: Once the residue is dry and the minimum time has passed, neutralize and clean
7 · Seal: Countertops need a hard, chemical-resistant topcoat

Tip for multi-section jobs: use a timer. Equal activation times are the only way to get matching color across separate countertop sections.

Choosing a mix that will actually take stain

More acid-stain countertop projects fail on the mix than on the technique. Three things decide it:

Fly ash under 10%: Fly ash suppresses the reaction and causes color variability in integrally colored tops. Check the bag
Release agent matters: Oil- or solvent-based release agents leave a film that makes acid staining impossible — you will be sanding it off. Use a colorless countertop form release that leaves no residue
Pre-cast is often too smooth: Tops poured on melamine can be glass-smooth. Sand with a 200-grit pad to open the pores before staining

A rustic cabin kitchen

White overlay tinted with Beachfront Buff pigment, cured a full 24 hours, then Cola and Malayan Buff acid stains and EasySeal™ Satin.

“My personal tip for anyone undertaking a renovation project like this is to take your time and follow the instructions carefully, especially when it comes to drying times.”
— DIY Customer

Beachfront colored concrete overlay over formica kitchen countertop.

How to concrete countertop applying an integrally colored skim coat of Beachfront Buff concrete overlay on a plywood constructed countertop.

Stunning Cola and Malayan Buff EverStain acid stained finish enhances Beachfront Buff pigmented concrete overlay kitchen countertop.

Creating a unique design on a concrete overlay countertop using Cola and Malayan Buff EverStain acid stains.

Applying the first coat of sealer to an acid stained concrete overlay countertop with Cola and Malayan Buff EverStain acid stains.

Coffee Brown & Malayan Buff EverStain acid stains over concrete overlay countertop.

A hunting camp kitchen — 40 sq. ft., 180 days

The long one. Coffee Brown, Desert Amber and Seagrass on poured-in-place tops for a seasonal home, with a lot of testing before the real thing. Their advice is the same advice we give: make small test pieces, and let the stain do its work instead of overworking it.

Colors: Coffee Brown + Desert Amber + Seagrass EverStain™
Surface: Poured-in-place concrete
Size: 40 sq. ft.
Time: 180 days, on and off

poured in place concrete before everstain acid stain kitchen countertop coffee desert seagrass — The poured tops before staining.

everstain acid stain concrete kitchen countertop coffee desert seagrass — The finished color.

Acid staining poured in place concrete countertop with Coffee Brown, Seagrass, and Desert Amber colors.

Poured in place concrete countertop with a mottled finish, created using wet-on-wet technique and featuring acid stain colors of coffee brown, seagrass, and desert amber.

everstain acid stain concrete kitchen countertop coffee desert seagrass sink — Everstain acid stain concrete kitchen countertop coffee desert seagrass sink.

Rustic mottled kitchen concrete countertop acid stained with Coffee Brown, Seagrass, and Desert Amber colors

The finished corner.

Outdoor kitchens and barndominium counters

Azure Blue with Miracle-Gro worked into areas to intensify the blue, and a barndominium where Shifting Sand, Malayan Buff and Coffee Brown run across both the floors and the counters.