Sometimes, you just need to try before you buy. With Direct Colors’ DIY DecoGel™ Acid Stain Trial Kits, you can do just that. Try your stain in different shades, with different sealer finishes, and on different surfaces around your home to find the best fit for your concrete coloring project.
Direct Colors’ DecoGel™ Stain Trial Kit has everything you need to test our best selling concrete colorant before you buy it, and to quickly add color to smaller concrete projects.
Trial Kit Includes
- Select up to 3 different colors out of 9 colors (4 oz each)
- Select up to 1 out of 4 sealers (4 oz each)
- Foam Application Brushes (Qty 4)
- Neutralizer
If you’re wondering what everything in the kit is for, we’ve got you covered. In this brief guide, we’ll go through the steps to using our DecoGel™ Trial Kit, and when each of the included products are to be used. Let’s get started.
Concrete Surface Preparation
Dust Mask, Scrub Brush, Cleaner & Degreaser, and Cleaning Cloth
The included
Dust Mask,
Scrub Brush, and
Cleaning Cloth have a few different uses in any concrete coloring project. But first, they’re used to prepare your concrete surface for stain by cleaning it. If your project area has any paint, oil stains, cracks, dust or other debris on it, the DecoGel™ Stain will not work.
Before you start your project, put your
Dust Mask on to avoid inhaling dust and debris.Sweep any debris from a larger concrete surface, or use the included
Scrub Brush to do the same. Your
Cleaning Cloth can also be used for cleanup depending on the material.
Next, dilute the Cleaner and Degreaser. The 4 ounce bottle provided is a concentrated product, which needs to be watered down. Add the entire 4 ounce bottle to 1 gallon of water, using the scrub brush and towel to clean your concrete surface of any oil stains, paint, or other unwanted materials. Scrub and rinse completely.
Once your concrete surface is properly cleaned and free of debris, you’re ready to stain.
Applying DecoGel™ Acid Stain
Deco Gel Stain, Applicator Brushes, Dust Mask, Safety Gloves, and Goggles
One of the best parts of a DIY Trial Kit from Direct Colors is just how easy the application process is. But, safety first.
Put your
Dust Mask,
Goggles, and
Safety Gloves on. DecoGel™ Stain can cause skin irritation, and damage your eyes if used improperly.
In your DIY Trial Kit, you’ll find
3 Sample Sized Bottles of DecoGel™ Stain in shades of your choosing. Pick one or a few of your colors (if you choose to mix). If the color seems too dark for your liking, dilute the concrete stain by gradually adding a bitof water to your mixture until the desired shade is achieved.
Apply the DecoGel™ Concrete Acid Stain using the foam application brush. Feel free to dab or brush the stain onto the surface depending on the project or desired effect. Apply the concrete stain in wet layers for a blended look or allow each previous layer to dry before applying another for a sharper transition between colors.
Sealing the Concrete Surface
Acrylic Sealers, Foam Application Brushes, Safety Gloves, Goggles, and Dust Mask
Once the DecoGel™ Stain has dried, you’re ready to seal the surface. Put your
Safety Gloves,
Goggles, and
Dust Mask back on.
In your DIY Trial Kit, you’re able to choose 1 of 4 options for concrete sealers. Each of them work very well for any application. However, we generally recommend the Solvent-Based sealers for outdoor concrete, and Water-Based sealers for indoor concrete.
In terms of the finish, the Satin will give you a slightly matte, but beautiful covering that will pop the underlying colorant. High gloss, on the other hand, is a sheer, shiny product that gives the appearance of highly polished stone such as marble. Your choice will depend solely on how you want your concrete surface to look.
Once you’ve chosen your sealer, simply cover one of the
Foam Application Brushes in the sealer, and spread evenly across the newly colored concrete surface. Apply in thin layers. Two coats are recommended for sufficient protection from UV rays, moisture and other elements, and foot traffic.
Allow to dry for up to 24 hours.
And you’re done! For more information on concrete staining and to get ideas for your next concrete coloring project,
visit our resource center.
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