The ColorWave® Trial System is the smart way to test water-based concrete stain colors before committing to a full project. It includes 3 of your choice ColorWave® colors in sample sizes, your choice of sealer, and 6 foam brushes — everything you need to test colors on your actual concrete and see exactly how each one will look on your specific surface before ordering the full quantity.

ColorWave® is a water-based penetrating stain that delivers rich, consistent color by absorbing into your concrete surface. But concrete varies more than most people realize — surface finish, porosity, age, and existing concrete color all affect how ColorWave® absorbs and appears on your specific slab. Testing on your actual concrete is the most reliable way to confirm your color choice before you invest in full quantities.

One Thing You Must Know Before You Start: ColorWave® Requires a Sealer

ColorWave® is a pure penetrating stain with no bonding agents in the formula. This is what allows it to absorb deeply and produce beautiful, natural-looking color — but it also means the color is not protected or locked in until a sealer is applied. Skipping the sealer is not an option. An unsealed ColorWave® application will wear, fade, and track off underfoot.

This is exactly why your Trial System includes a sealer. Every test you run should go through both steps — stain and seal — so what you see in the trial is what your finished, protected project will actually look like.

Why You Need to Test on Your Actual Concrete

The variables that affect how ColorWave® looks on your specific surface include:

• Porosity — More porous concrete absorbs ColorWave® more deeply, producing richer, more saturated color. Denser surfaces absorb less, resulting in lighter color. This is the most significant variable.
• Surface finish — Broom-finished, stamped, troweled, and textured surfaces each hold water-based stain differently, affecting color depth and how evenly the stain distributes
• Concrete age — Older concrete tends to be more porous and may absorb stain more readily than newer, denser slabs
• Existing concrete color — ColorWave® is translucent, not opaque. Your starting concrete tone affects the final result — lighter gray concrete and darker concrete will show the same color differently
• Prior treatments — Any existing sealer, curing compound, or surface hardener will block ColorWave® penetration and produce uneven or absent color in those areas

Testing 3 ColorWave® colors on your actual concrete — and sealing each test area — shows you exactly what the final result will look like before you commit to a full project.

Why Testing Saves You Money

A full ColorWave® project involves stain and sealer across your entire surface. If you order full quantities, apply the stain, and discover the color isn't what you expected, your options are limited. ColorWave® penetrates into the concrete surface, and correcting color once it's applied and sealed is not a simple recoat. The Trial System is the affordable way to confirm your color — and confirm how your specific concrete absorbs it — before placing a full order.

Choosing Your Sealer

Since sealing is required with ColorWave®, the sealer you choose is part of the final result, not an afterthought. Your Trial System includes your choice of sealer so your test reflects exactly what your finished project will look like. We offer three options:

• EasySeal™ (solvent-based) — Penetrates deeply and dramatically enriches the ColorWave® color, producing the deepest, most saturated final result. Important: EasySeal™ has strong solvent fumes and requires excellent ventilation and strict solvent safety precautions during application. Best choice if color depth is your priority.
• AcquaSeal™ (water-based) — A low-odor, water-based option that's easy to apply and comfortable to work with. Color richness will be somewhat less intense than EasySeal™, but still a beautiful result for many applications.
• HydraCryl™ (water-based hybrid) — Our highest-performance sealer. HydraCryl™ delivers protection comparable to a polyurethane sealer without the complexity of a two-component system, and it's water-based. The best of both worlds: the durability of a hard-film sealer with the ease and low odor of a water-based product.

Not sure which to choose? If maximum color depth is your goal, start with EasySeal™. If you want high durability with easier application, HydraCryl™ is the right pick. AcquaSeal™ is a solid choice for lower-traffic areas where ease of application is a priority.

How to Use the Trial System

1. Pick your test area carefully. Choose an inconspicuous section of your actual concrete — a driveway edge that will be covered by plantings, a hidden corner of a patio, or a piece of scrap concrete from the same pour. Test on the actual surface you plan to stain, not a different slab.
2. Clean and prep the test area the same way you'd prep your finished project — degrease and rinse thoroughly. Remove any existing sealer, curing compound, or surface coating before testing; ColorWave® cannot penetrate a sealed or coated surface.
3. Mark out 3 test sections. Label them so you remember which color is which.
4. Apply each ColorWave® sample with a separate foam brush. Allow each section to absorb and dry fully before evaluating color.
5. Once dry, apply your included sealer over each test section. Do not skip this step — unsealed ColorWave® will not show you the true final color, and the color is not protected until sealed.
6. Allow to cure for 24–48 hours to see the final cured color and sheen.
7. Compare the results and pick your color and sealer. Once you've chosen, order your full-size ColorWave® Water-Based Concrete Stain.

⚠ Safety

ColorWave® is water-based and low-odor, making it comfortable to apply in most settings. Standard precautions apply — wear gloves and avoid prolonged skin contact. If you selected EasySeal™ as your sealer, solvent safety precautions apply for that step: apply in a well-ventilated area, wear chemical-resistant gloves and safety glasses, and keep away from ignition sources.

Direct Colors: Made in the USA Since 1997

The ColorWave® Trial System contains the exact same ColorWave® formulation as the full-size product — just in sample quantities. What you see in the trial is what you'll get on the full project.