AcquaTint™ Colored Sealer

AcquaTint™ is a professional-grade, water-based colored concrete sealer that delivers permanent color and surface protection in a single product. Where traditional decorative concrete workflows require two separate steps — stain first, then sealer — AcquaTint™ combines both into one. Apply the tinted sealer to clean, prepped concrete, and you've colored and sealed the surface in the same pass. The water-based formulation delivers a satin finish that preserves the natural character of concrete while adding rich, durable color that holds up to weather, UV exposure, and foot traffic.

AcquaTint™ is the product contractors love because it cuts project time roughly in half. One application step instead of two. One product on the truck instead of two. One decision about color and sealing instead of the complexity of matching a stain to a sealer. For homeowners, AcquaTint™ is the simplest way to add color to a concrete floor, patio, or driveway — no chemistry to worry about, no acid reactions, no complex application sequence. Just clean the concrete, apply the tinted sealer, and you're done.

The water-based formulation also makes AcquaTint™ appropriate for projects where solvent-based products can't be used: low-VOC commercial specifications, HOA-restricted residential projects, indoor applications in occupied spaces, and any situation where fume sensitivity matters.

Who Buys AcquaTint™ Colored Concrete Sealer

Contractors looking for labor savings — One product instead of two, one application step instead of the traditional stain-then-seal workflow. The economics are simple: cutting a two-step job down to one step cuts your labor cost per square foot. Contractors using AcquaTint™ on repeat jobs (residential driveways, patios, commercial flooring) see meaningful margin improvement over traditional stain + sealer workflows.

Homeowners who want simplicity — If you've read about decorative concrete and felt overwhelmed by the chemistry, timing, and sequencing of stain + neutralizer + sealer, AcquaTint™ is the simplest way to achieve a colored and sealed concrete surface. Clean, apply, done.

Low-VOC and indoor projects — Commercial projects with LEED certification, schools, healthcare facilities, government contracts, and any installation with mandatory VOC limits that rule out solvent-based products. Also residential projects in HOA-restricted communities, occupied homes, and indoor applications where solvent fumes aren't practical.

New concrete that won't take an acid stain — Modern concrete with fly ash, slag, or other cement replacements often fails to react properly with acid stains. AcquaTint™ doesn't depend on a chemical reaction, so it delivers consistent color on new concrete regardless of mix design.

What AcquaTint™ Does and How It Works

AcquaTint™ is a water-based acrylic concrete sealer with pigment dispersed throughout the product. When applied to clean, properly prepped concrete, the sealer forms a durable acrylic film on the surface while the pigment delivers rich color saturation. As the water carrier evaporates, the acrylic sealer cures into a permanent finish that protects the concrete from water penetration, UV exposure, stains, and surface wear — while the pigment remains evenly distributed throughout the sealed layer, delivering consistent color across the entire surface.

The result is a single-coat finish that combines the two traditionally separate steps of decorative concrete: coloring the surface and sealing the surface. Both happen in one pass, with one product, in one application session.

AcquaTint™ cures to a satin finish — not high-gloss, not matte. The satin finish is popular for decorative concrete because it preserves the natural look of concrete (you can still see the concrete's character and texture through the finish) while adding the color and protection that concrete floors, patios, and driveways need.

⚠ Critical: OxiGrip™ Slip-Resistant Additive Is Not Compatible With AcquaTint™

If your project requires slip resistance — pool decks, wet areas, outdoor stairs, ramps, commercial flooring with slip-resistant specifications — you cannot mix OxiGrip™ slip-resistant additive directly into AcquaTint™. The two products are not chemically compatible, and mixing them will cause the sealer to fail.

The correct approach for slip-resistant tinted concrete: Apply AcquaTint™ first as your color-and-seal layer, let it cure fully, then apply a clear topcoat of AcquaSeal™ or Hydrocryl™ with OxiGrip™ mixed in. The clear topcoat carries the OxiGrip additive and delivers the slip resistance your project needs, while the AcquaTint™ underneath delivers the color. This is a two-step approach for slip-resistant projects, but it's the only way to get both color and slip resistance reliably.

This is a critical product-compatibility issue worth understanding before you start your project. Attempting to mix OxiGrip directly into AcquaTint™ will ruin the sealer and require stripping and starting over.

Important: Always use matching chemistry for topcoats. AcquaTint™ is water-based, so any clear topcoat applied over it must also be water-based — specifically AcquaSeal™, which is the water-based clear acrylic sealer formulated to bond with AcquaTint™. Do not apply a solvent-based sealer over AcquaTint™. The chemistries will not bond properly, and the finish will fail over time.

What AcquaTint™ Colored Concrete Sealer Is Used For

Interior concrete floors — Living rooms, kitchens, basements, sunrooms, retail spaces, restaurants, and any indoor concrete floor where you want permanent color in a low-VOC, low-odor formulation safe for occupied spaces. Especially popular in modern and minimalist interiors where clean, consistent color is part of the design aesthetic.

Concrete patios — Residential and commercial patios, outdoor entertaining areas, courtyards, and covered outdoor spaces. AcquaTint™ handles weather, UV, and foot traffic when applied to properly prepped concrete.

Concrete driveways — Residential driveways where curb appeal matters and the homeowner wants long-lasting color without the complexity of acid stain or the fumes of solvent products. For high-traffic driveways with daily vehicle use, apply a clear AcquaSeal™ topcoat for added durability.

Concrete walkways and pool surrounds — Front walks, garden paths, and pool decks. For pool decks, always apply a clear AcquaSeal™ topcoat with OxiGrip™ for slip resistance.

Concrete countertops — Cast and cast-in-place concrete countertops for kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor kitchens. The water-based formulation makes AcquaTint™ appropriate for food-prep adjacent applications.

Commercial and institutional flooring — LEED-certified buildings, schools, healthcare facilities, government contracts, and any commercial installation with low-VOC compliance requirements.

Restoration of existing colored or stained concrete — Concrete that was previously stained or tinted and has faded or worn over time can often be restored with AcquaTint™ in a matching color, providing new color saturation while resealing the surface.

See AcquaTint™ on real customer projects — Browse the Direct Colors customer photo gallery to see AcquaTint™ applied to interior floors, patios, driveways, and countertops across the country.

⚠ Test Colors Before You Commit

Direct Colors strongly recommends ordering the AcquaTint™ Trial System to test colors on your actual concrete before buying a full-size gallon. Concrete age, porosity, surface finish, and any existing color all affect how AcquaTint™ looks on your specific surface. Testing 3 colors on your actual concrete costs a fraction of a full gallon and ensures you choose a color that delivers the look you want.

How to Use AcquaTint™ Colored Concrete Sealer

Full step-by-step instructions ship with the product, and the AcquaTint™ How-To Guide walks through the process with photos. Overview:

1. Clean the concrete thoroughly. Use ProClean Degreaser™ to remove dirt, oils, and surface contamination. Rinse and allow to dry completely. If your concrete is currently sealed, painted, or coated, use Destiny™ Stripper first to remove the existing coating. Concrete must be clean, unsealed, and dry before AcquaTint™ is applied.
2. Apply AcquaTint™ with a plastic pump sprayer, foam brush, or ⅜" nap roller. Backrolling immediately after spraying is highly recommended — spraying without backrolling increases the risk of puddles, drips, and uneven color. Work in manageable sections using natural break points like walls and joints, and keep a wet edge to avoid overlap marks. Apply two thin coats, waiting at least 2 hours between them.
3. Let it dry and cure. AcquaTint™ dries to the touch in 30–60 minutes. Wait at least 2 hours between coats and confirm the first coat is ready with a thumbnail test — press firmly, and if no dent forms, you can recoat. The surface accepts foot traffic after 6–12 hours and is fully cured at 24 hours. Cool or humid conditions extend every stage.
4. Optional topcoat based on your application:
   Interior floors: Apply ProWax Polish™ as a sacrificial layer for easy maintenance
   Exterior high-traffic: Apply
   AcquaSeal™ or Hydrocryl™
   as a clear topcoat for added durability
   Slip resistance needed: Apply
   AcquaSeal™ or Hydrocryl™
   with OxiGrip™ mixed in as a clear topcoat (never mix OxiGrip™ directly into AcquaTint™)
   

AcquaTint™ Coverage and Color Range

AcquaTint™ covers approximately 200 square feet per gallon at the required two-coat application. A gallon holds enough material for about 400 square feet of a single coat, so the standard two coats finish roughly 200 square feet. Porous, broomed, or older concrete will absorb more and reduce this figure.

⚠️ Important: When You Need a Clear Topcoat Over AcquaTint™

AcquaTint™ is a complete color-and-seal product for most applications. For many residential patios, interior floors, and low-traffic surfaces, two coats of AcquaTint™ is the finished job. However, a clear topcoat is either recommended or required in certain situations: