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  • Eco-Friendly: Water-based and low VOC, safe for both indoor and outdoor use.
  • Stylish Finish: Offers a semi-translucent satin finish that enhances natural concrete beauty.
  • Versatile & Durable: Compatible with various concrete types and decorative overlays, ensuring long-lasting color and protection.

    How much do I need to stain my concrete?

    It will depend on the square footage of your application.

    The coverage rate is 200 square feet per gallon (2 coats) depending on concrete porosity. Two or more coats are required.

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    Product Tabs

    Product Details

    AcquaTint™ is an eco-friendly, topical, water-based colored sealer that is perfect for adding style and protection to concrete surfaces. Its unique formula offers a semi-translucent satin finish, making it ideal for both residential and commercial use. As a premium, semi-transparent stain and sealer, it enhances the natural beauty of concrete floors, countertops, and architectural elements by infusing them with rich, durable color. 

    Designed for both interior and exterior applications, AcquaTint™ is compatible with decorative overlays, micro-toppings, and regular concrete. Its advanced acrylic resin and high-quality pigments ensure long-lasting durability and consistent, subtle coloration. Available in twenty-nine colors, this low VOC stain and sealer provides precise application control, perfectly balancing aesthetic appeal with environmental responsibility.

    Quick Facts

    Application Tools: Best applied using a pump sprayer (filter removed) or a ⅜” nap roller.
    Location: Suitable for both interior and exterior surfaces.
    Dry Time: 6 to 12 hours, varying with environmental conditions.
    Cleanup: Use ProClean Degreaser™ and warm water.
    Coverage: Approximately 200 sq. ft. per gallon for two thin coats, variable with surface conditions.
    Recommended Topcoats: Compatible with AcquaSeal™ Water-based Acrylic Sealer and ProWax Polish™ (Interior Use)
    Application Temperature: Best between 60°F-95°F (15°C-35°C).
    Recommended Uses: Ideal for concrete floors, walls, countertops, and various architectural elements.
    Important Note: Prevent freezing to maintain product effectiveness.

    Special Offers

    AcquaTint™ Stain & Wax Kit (Interior Use)

    Enhance your interior projects with this comprehensive bundle. It includes one gallon of AcquaTint™ Colored Sealer for subtle, yet distinct color enhancement and one gallon of ProWax Polish™, available in both Satin and Gloss finishes, for a customized glossy or subdued finish. The kit also includes a 10-ounce CitrusEtch™ Concentrate for opening the concrete pores, and a 4-ounce ProClean Neutralizer™ Concentrate for neutralizing the CitrusEtch™, ensuring optimal surface preparation. Ideal for small to medium indoor projects.

    AcquaTint™ Mega Bundle (Interior Use)

    Designed for large-scale or professional applications, this bulk deal includes five gallons of AcquaTint™ Colored Sealer for extensive coverage with subtle, yet distinct color results. Also includes five gallons of ProWax Polish™, available in Satin and Gloss finishes, allowing for a customized final appearance. The bundle offers a 50-ounce CitrusEtch™ Concentrate to open concrete pores, and a 1-quart ProClean Neutralizer™ Concentrate to neutralize CitrusEtch™, preparing the surface for coloring.

    AcquaTint™ Colors Trial Kit

    A sampler kit that includes three 4-ounce color choices and foam applicators, perfect for testing colors.

    How-To Guide

    Preliminary Testing

    Before using the product for your entire project, try it out on a small, hidden area of the surface you'll be working on. This will let you see how it looks and if it's the right fit for your project.

    Pre-Application

    • Cured: Before applying AcquaTint™, ensure that the concrete or concrete overlay is fully cured. For optimum results, a curing period of at least 28 days is recommended. Applying stain to concrete that has not fully cured may lead to unpredictable results in terms of color and adhesion.
    • Sound: The surface must be dry and structurally sound. Ensure it is clean and free of dirt, grime, sealer, and any other material that might interfere with the effectiveness of the colored sealer.
    • Profiled: Perform an absorption test to check if the concrete is ready for staining. Pour water onto the concrete surface and wait for 3-5 minutes. If the water is not absorbed, the surface will need to be cleaned and etched with CitrusEtch™ to open the pores of the concrete. Detailed instructions can be found in the CitrusEtch™ Technical Data Sheet. If the concrete absorbs the water, it is ready for AcquaTint™ application.Image showing two concrete surfaces: on the left, a surface that passes the water absorption test with water penetrating the concrete, and on the right, a surface failing the test with water pooling on top
    • Clean: Thoroughly clean the surface to remove dust, dirt, oil, grease, paints, glues, sealers, curing agents, stamp tool releases, efflorescence, chemical contaminants, rust, algae, mildew, and other foreign matters that may prevent proper application of the colored sealer.
    • Temperature: For best results, apply AcquaTint™ in temperatures ranging from 60°F (15°C) to 95°F (35°C).

    Application

    • Mixing: Thoroughly mix AcquaTint™ before application. Combine contents from different jugs for uniform color across the project.
    • Work Area Planning: Divide the work area into manageable sections, using natural breaks like walls and joints. Control wet edges to reduce overlap marks.
    • Preparation:
      • For Spraying: Use a pump-up sprayer. Ensure all filters are removed to prevent clogging.
      Hand showing filter removal from a pump-up sprayer
      • For Rolling: Use a ⅜” nap roller. It's important not to apply too much pressure when rolling. Excessive pressure can lead to streak lines and uneven application. Let the roller do the work, using its own weight for application.
    • Application Steps:
      • Apply the product evenly. If spraying, use a circular motion. If rolling, use a continuous, thin, overlapping method.
      • To maintain consistent color, frequently shake the sprayer or bottle. Before pouring more into the paint tray, ensure the color remains uniform for consistent results when re-dipping the roller.
      • For spraying applications, start and stop the sprayer off the work area or into a bucket to prevent drips. Follow up by back rolling to even out any puddles or overlaps.
      On the left, concrete being sprayed with colored sealer; on the right, the sealer is being backrolled for even coloration.
    • Drying and Recoating:
      • Allow a waiting period of 6 to 12 hours between coats, which may vary depending on environmental conditions.
      • Testing Dryness: To check if the surface is ready for the next coat, press it with a thumbnail. If the surface doesn't dent or scratch, it is sufficiently dry for recoating.
      • Coat Application: Apply the second coat after confirming the first is completely dry.
      • Recommended Coats: For the best performance and durability, it is advised to apply two coats of AcquaTint™.
      • Application Caution: Be cautious to avoid heavy application, which can lead to issues such as bubbling, hazing, and other coating imperfections.

    Limitations

    • Batch Variability: The supply of specialized pigments may vary between batches. To ensure color consistency, use the same batch for the entire job or mix multiple batches together (“boxing”).
    • Surface Characteristics: AcquaTint™ coats the concrete surface with color but does not conceal discolorations, blemishes, cracks, or other surface irregularities. It may accentuate porosity variations and usually appears lighter when dry compared to its wet appearance.
    • Surface Compatibility: Hard-troweled surfaces or those with smaller pores than AcquaTint™ particles may encounter issues with the stain drying on the surface without proper adhesion. Consider this during surface preparation.
    • Avoid Liquid Contact During Curing: Ensure no liquids, including sweat, come into contact with AcquaTint™ while it is curing, as this can impact both the curing process and the final finish quality.
    • Wear and Tear: Like all water-based acrylic sealers, AcquaTint™ is susceptible to surface wear. Its longevity and durability depend on proper application to a suitably prepared surface and will vary based on the volume and type of traffic it endures.
    • Color Accuracy: While efforts are made to accurately represent colors in product literature, photos, and sample color chips, the actual color achieved on concrete can significantly differ. This discrepancy stems from the stain's translucent nature, allowing the color of the concrete base to affect the final shade.

    Topcoat

    • Exterior / Heavy Traffic Areas: Apply AcquaSeal™ clear water-based sealer topcoat for enhanced durability and environmental protection.
    • On the left, charcoal AcquaTint™ sealed with AcquaSeal™ satin; on the right, charcoal AcquaTint™ sealed with AcquaSeal™ gloss
    • Interior Surfaces: Use ProWax Polish™ as a topcoat to improve the durability and finish of indoor surfaces.
    • On the left, black AcquaTint™ with topcoat ProWax Polish™ satin; on the right, khaki AcquaTint™ with topcoat ProWax Polish™ gloss
    • Incompatible Topcoats: Do not use EasySeal™ solvent-based sealer over AcquaTint™. As AcquaTint™ is a water-based product, it is not compatible with solvent-based sealers like EasySeal™, which could lead to unsatisfactory results.
    • On the left, AcquaTint™ is NOT compatible with EasySeal™; on the right, AcquaTint™ is compatible with AcquaSeal™
    • Traffic Topcoat:
      • Foot Traffic: Keep the area free from foot traffic for at least 24 hours to allow the topcoat to properly set.
      • Vehicle Traffic: Avoid vehicle traffic for 48-72 hours to ensure the sealer fully cures and offers maximum protection.

    Coverage

    Estimated coverage is around 200 square feet per gallon, varying with surface conditions and application methods.

    Clean-Up

    For cleaning tools and equipment after using AcquaTint™, use ProClean Degreaser™ and warm water.

    Disposal

    Dispose of unused product according to local environmental or hazardous waste regulations.

    Shelf Life and Storage

    Use AcquaTint™ within one year of purchase and store it in a cool, indoor location away from sunlight and heat.

    Maintenance

    • Exterior Surfaces: Regularly inspect sealed areas for signs of thinning or wear due to foot or vehicular traffic. Reapply the sealer as needed to maintain protection and appearance.
    • Interior Surfaces: Regularly examine surfaces coated with ProWax Polish™ for wear or thinning, especially in high-traffic areas. Reapply the coating as necessary to preserve the surface's integrity and aesthetics.

    Complementary Products

    ProClean Degreaser™ Concrete cleaner & degreaser
    CitrusEtch™ Pre-stain concrete pore etcher
    AcquaSeal™ Water-based acrylic sealer
    ProWax Polish™ Floor wax & polish
    OxiGrip™ Slip-resistant sealer additive
    PatchRx™ Concrete repair
    Resurface-It™ Concrete overlay/micro-topping

    Safety & Precautions

    CAUTION: Avoid contact with eyes and skin. Do not take internally. In case of eye contact, flush thoroughly with water. In case of skin contact, flush thoroughly with water. If swallowed, do not induce vomiting. Call physician immediately. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

    Warranty

    AcquaTint™ is guaranteed for uniform quality within manufacturing tolerances. No warranty is provided for its application effects. Liability for defects is limited to refunding the purchase price. Users bear all other risks and liabilities. For inquiries, contact Direct Colors customer service.

    How-To Videos

    AcquaTint™ Application
    Let's Talk About AcquaTint™ Stain
    Concrete Stain Calculator Help

    Color Chart

    AcquaTint Color Chart

    PDF Downloads

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