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AcquaTint™ Gallery: Seamless Stain & Sealer Projects for Concrete

Step into the vibrant world of AcquaTint™! Our customer project gallery showcases the dual magic of stain and sealer combined, perfect for both interior and exterior concrete finishes.

By Justin Richardson

Aztec Brown & Cumin AcquaTint™

Image of an outdoor grill countertop after restoration, featuring a glossy, marbled finish achieved using Cumin and Aztec brown stains.
The restored outdoor grill countertop showcases the beautiful results using Cumin and Aztec brown stains
Finished countertop with a glossy marbled look using Cumin and Aztec brown stains.
Combination of Cumin and Aztec brown AcquaTint stains to achieve a beautiful marbled look

Project Info:

    • Project Completed In: 3 day(s)
    • Estimate of Square Footage: 220 sq. ft.
    • Project Description:
      Coating Experts (@juan_c_adame) grinded off a failed overlay and repaired some cracks on the concrete. Then we used Cumin and Aztec brown stain to create a marbled look. We finished the job with three costs of AcquaSeal™ Gloss Concrete Sealer. The results speak for themselves.
    • Personal Tips:
      Take your time on the prep work! It will pay off. When applying the stain, don’t worry about a full coverage on the first spray let the stain do its job. It will look blotchy, but trust the process. Don’t rush it. This product is amazing.
    • Direct Colors Products Used:
      1 Gal. Aztec Brown AcquaTint™
      1 Gal. Cumin AcquaTint™
      1 Gal. AcquaSeal Gloss™
AcquaTint™ Aztec Brown 502
AcquaTint™ Aztec Brown
AcquaTint™ Cumin 510
AcquaTint™ Cumin
AcquaSeal Gloss
AcquaSeal™ Gloss

Please be aware that each photo in this gallery showcases projects accomplished with our AcquaTint™ Tinted Sealer and is provided by actual customers, serving as a source of inspiration. However, since AcquaTint™ is semi-transparent, the final appearance of your project will be influenced by the initial color and condition of your concrete surface, and thus, your final results might vary. For the best results, we strongly recommend performing a small test on your specific surface before applying the stain to the entire project to ensure the final look aligns with your expectations.

Black AcquaTint™

The homeowner kicked off their DIY project with a little hiccup: they had to spend 1.5 weeks removing an unexpected sealant from the new concrete. But once that was behind them, staining with AcquaTint™ in bold black was smooth sailing! They sealed the deal with the satin ProWax Polish™ for a sleek finish. The end result? Absolutely fab floors! A hot tip for fellow DIY-ers: if you’re thinking of staining, skip the sealant when pouring concrete. Spotlight on: AcquaTint™ Black and that gleaming ProWax Polish™. For more details about this project, check out From Blank to Black: A DIY Dream Floor!

Three playful children having fun on an untreated concrete floor, showing its raw state prior to staining.
Before the makeover: The kids making the most of the raw concrete floor. Time for a transformation!
Sleek and polished living area floor, beautifully stained with AcquaTint™ Black and finished with ProWax Polish™, reflecting the ambient lighting.
After the AcquaTint™ magic: From a play space to a stylish living area, showcasing the elegance of Black AcquaTint™ and satin ProWax Polish™ finish.

Project Info:

  • Project Completed In: 7 day(s)
  • Estimate of Square Footage: 1500 sq. ft.
  • Project Description:
    This is one of the many diy projects we did on our new build. The hardest part of the floors for us was removing the old sealant that was put down on our new concrete at the time of pouring. That took us about 1.5 weeks to remove before applying this stain and wax. Applying it was quick and easy. We used the aquatint in black and satin prowax polish. We love the way they turned out! Definitely recommend!
  • Personal Tips:
    Don’t get sealant on existing concrete at the time of pouring if you plan to do any staining. The staining was an after thought for us so we had to remove what was already placed.
  • Direct Colors Products Used:
    1 x 5 Gal. Charcoal AcquaTint™ & ProWax Polish™ Satin Kit
    3 x 1 Gal. Black AcquaTint™
CitrusEtch™ concrete etcher
CitrusEtch™ concrete etcher
ProClean Neutralizer
ProClean Neutralizer™
Black AcquaTint Swatch
AcquaTint™ Black
ProWax Polish™ Satin
ProWax Polish™ Satin

Cafe Royale AcquaTint™

This project showcases a stunning concrete floor stained with Cafe Royale AcquaTint™ and finished with ProWax Polish™ Satin, delivering a beautiful, durable, and polished look to the space.

Bare concrete floor before staining
Bare concrete floor before staining
Concrete floor with a rich finish, stained with Cafe Royale AcquaTint
Concrete floor with a rich finish, stained with Cafe Royale AcquaTint

Charcoal AcquaTint™

Isaiah Medina transformed adhesive carpet tiles into a chic industrial concrete floor for his barbershop. After some painting mishaps, two coats of Charcoal AcquaTint™ were applied. His tip? Proper grinding and a clean surface are key. Want more details on this transformation? Check out Isaiah’s Barbershop Makeover: From Carpet to Chic Industrial Concrete!

Image of the original interior space, covered in adhesive carpet tiles prior to renovation
Original interior space, covered in adhesive carpet tiles prior to renovation
Image showcasing the finished concrete floor in the newly opened barbershop, featuring modern, industrial aesthetics with varying tones of gray and black, exuding a masculine ambiance.
Finished, modern industrial-style barbershop floor, featuring gray and black tones, with freshly painted ceiling, creating a sleek and masculine ambiance.

Project Info:

  • Project Completed In: 4 day(s)
  • Estimate of Square Footage: 2500 sq. ft.
  • Project Description:
    My name is Isaiah Medina I’ve never done floors in my life. I recently started to open a barbershop with my wife. We have always been in love with concrete industrial looking floors. When we first purchase the space, it was covered in adhesive carpet tiles. So after removing them, it was covered in mastic. We figured we would work top down so we painted the ceiling’s first. Of course, all of that paint fell to the floor then we painted the walls white and of course we dropped some.
    Then it was time to start the floors finally.
    We rented a duel disk grinder, ground down the whole area, cleaned it really well, and then we applied the acquatint.
    Two coats 15-20 hours apart. They’re very durable and easy to clean.
  • Personal Tips:
    Spend the extra money and grind down your floors if you’re getting rid of a lot of adhesive.
    It ensures that the stain or sealer gets really deep and provides a strong bond.
    It creates a lot of dust, so make sure you use water to wet grind it to minimize that.
    And don’t rush take your time make sure the floors are clean and have fun.
  • Direct Colors Products Used:
    3 x 5 Gal. Charcoal AcquaTint™
    3x 1 Gal. ProWax Polish™ Satin
  • Other Products Used:
    Edco dual grinder
    Harbor freight attachment & shroud to grind the edges
    Harbor freight paper and tape to cover the edges.
    Harbor freight 2 gallon pump to spray the sealer.
ProClean Degreaser
ProClean Degreaser™
Spiked Shoes for Staining Concrete Floors
Spiked Shoes
Charcoal AcquaTint Swatch
AcquaTint™ Charcoal
ProWax Polish™ Satin
ProWax Polish™ Satin

Driftwood AcquaTint™

What once was a plain basement has now transformed into a delightful playroom for the kids. With a touch of AcquaTint™ in Driftwood and a finishing satin sheen from ProWax Polish™, this space is now every child’s dream come true! Bright, playful, and ready for fun!

Bare basement space with plain walls and a raw concrete floor.
Before: Our untouched basement—full of potential
Cozy basement transformation with the floor stained in a warm Driftwood shade from AcquaTint™, complemented by a subtle satin sheen from ProWax Polish™
After: A serene transformation. Our basement now exudes a warm, inviting ambiance, perfect for quiet play and relaxation

Gray AcquaTint™

This garage shop floor was transformed using Gray AcquaTint™, providing a sleek and durable finish. The stain not only revitalized the space but also added a clean, professional look, perfect for a busy work environment.

Garage Shop Floor Before Staining
Garage Shop Floor Before Staining
Concrete garage shop floor with a clean, sleek finish after applying Gray AcquaTint™
Concrete garage shop floor with a clean, sleek finish after applying Gray AcquaTint™

Khaki AcquaTint™

This project showcases a stunning concrete floor stained with Khaki AcquaTint™ and finished with ProWax Polish™ Satin, delivering a beautiful, durable, and polished look to the space.

Concrete floor prepped for staining in a barn living space with a pump sprayer.
Prepping the barn living space floor
Glossy concrete floor in a barn living space after staining with Khaki AcquaTint™
The barn floor transformed with Khaki AcquaTint™, creating a polished, easy-to-clean surface.

Project Info:

  • Project Completed In: 4 day(s)
  • Estimate of Square Footage: 1960 sq. ft.
  • Project Description:
    We used Direct Colors products to transform our barn living space to create a comfortable and cozy atmosphere while being durable and easy to clean.
  • Personal Tips:
    One of the biggest tips we would offer is to do the proper prep work ahead of time to ensure even application and coloring. We took the time to prep and clean the surfaces as well as to protect the baseboard areas which made application much easier!
  • Direct Colors Products Used:
    5 Gal. Khaki AcquaTint™ & ProWax Polish™ Gloss Kit
CitrusEtch™ concrete etcher
CitrusEtch™ concrete etcher
Spiked Shoes for Staining Concrete Floors
Spiked Shoes
ProClean Neutralizer
ProClean Neutralizer™
AcquaTint™ Khaki
AcquaTint™ Khaki
ProWax Polish™ Satin
ProWax Polish™ Satin

Light Charcoal AcquaTint™

Tackling the challenge of rejuvenating a steel garage, our DIYer went all out, blending the techniques of spraying and rolling. The outcome? A deep, stylish charcoal sheen on the floor. For more details about this project, check out Sleek Barndominium Makeover with AcquaTint™

DIYer in action, rolling Charcoal AcquaTint™ onto the new concrete floor after spraying
Behind the scenes: Rolling AcquaTint™ post-spraying for a seamless finish on the new concrete floor
Steel garage floor transformed with a sleek charcoal finish, gleaming in its satin perfection.
Steel garage floor transformed with a sleek charcoal finish, gleaming in its satin perfection.

Project Info:

  • Project Completed In: 5 day(s)
  • Estimate of Square Footage: 1500 sq. ft.
  • Project Description:
    Interesting
  • Personal Tips:
    Spraying along w roller application worked great for me
  • Direct Colors Products Used:
    5 Gal. Charcoal AcquaTint™ & ProWax Polish™ Satin Kit
    2 x 1 Gal. Charcoal AcquaTint™
CitrusEtch™ concrete etcher
CitrusEtch™ concrete etcher
Spiked Shoes for Staining Concrete Floors
Spiked Shoes
ProClean Neutralizer
ProClean Neutralizer™
Charcoal AcquaTint Swatch
AcquaTint™ Charcoal
ProWax Polish™ Satin
ProWax Polish™ Satin

Silver Gray AcquaTint™

Got a commercial space that could use a little pep in its step? That’s just what this project accomplished. A faded gray concrete floor might not sound too inspiring, but with a helping hand from our Silver Gray AcquaTint™, it’s become a sleek and stylish foundation for the business. The result is a floor that not only looks great but can stand up to the hustle and bustle of commercial use. Check out this transformation for your own dash of inspiration.

Commercial concrete floor in its original, faded gray state
Before: The concrete floor that's seen better days
Commercial concrete floor transformed by Silver Gray AcquaTint
Sleek and stylish! A commercial concrete floor made new with Silver Gray AcquaTint™

If you’re inspired by these projects and interested in exploring more industrial and mottled-looking floor finishes, don’t miss our blog post: ‘Stormy Gray Vibrance™ Dye: Your Ticket To DIY Magic!‘ Dive into the world of DIY magic with our Vibrance Dye.

Terracotta AcquaTint™

A homeowner revitalized their worn concrete floors using Terracotta AcquaTint™, achieving a beautiful, varied finish. After preparing the surface and applying the sealer by hand with a brush, they sealed it with a clear satin finish. The result is a striking, glossy floor that looks like new, transforming the space with minimal effort.

Faded concrete floor with a worn finish before applying stain
Faded concrete floor with a worn finish before applying stain
Concrete floor with a rich Terracotta stain and glossy finish.
After applying Terracotta AcquaTint™, the concrete floor now features a rich, warm tone

Black & Gray AcquaTint™

This project transformed a modern living space by staining the concrete floor with a mix of Black and Gray AcquaTint™ for a striking mottled, marbled effect. Finished with ProWax Polish™ for added gloss and durability, the result is a sleek, modern floor that complements the contemporary design of the room. For more details about this project, check out Basement Redo

A clean, prepared concrete floor in a room with light-colored walls and ceiling, ready for stain application. A container and some tools are visible on the floor.
The concrete floor has been cleaned and prepped, ready for the application of stain after thorough surface preparation.
A modern basement bar area with a polished concrete floor, sleek bar stools, and ambient lighting, showcasing a smooth, reflective finish.
The finished "Basement Redo" project, showcasing a polished concrete floor with a durable, marble-like finish, achieved through careful preparation and staining.

Chic Salon Makeover with Natural Concrete Floors

This salon project embraced the raw beauty of unfinished concrete floors. By preserving the natural blemishes and adding strategic detailing, the space was transformed into a chic, modern salon (NoirLuxco Nail Studio and Spa,  Katy, TX). The use of AcquaTint™ in Charcoal and Silver Gray, combined with ProWax Polish™, ensured a non-porous, durable finish. For a touch of sparkle, Mica Powder was incorporated. The result is a distinctive salon floor that is not only functional, but also visually engaging.

Artistically applied swirls of Charcoal AcquaTint and Mica highlights on the concrete salon floor.
Continuing the journey, enhancing the unique character of the salon floor.
The finished product - a chic salon floor showcasing the synergy of Charcoal, Silver Gray and sparkling Mica highlights.
The finished product - a chic salon floor showcasing the synergy of Charcoal, Silver Gray and sparkling Mica highlights.

Project Info:

  • Project Completed In: 5 day(s)
  • Estimate of Square Footage: 1720 sq. ft.
  • Project Description:
    Salon had unfinished concrete floors I loved the natural state and all the blemishes so i opted to let those shine but add some details and bc the floors cant be porous I needed to seal them so I did just that and love my floors!
  • Personal Tips:
    Fill gaps, holes and cracks.
    Use the darker color first then lighter colors to diffuse it per se.
  • Direct ColorsProducts Used:
    2 x 1 Gal. Charcoal AcquaTint™
    5 Gal. Silver Gray AcquaTint™ & ProWax Polish™ Satin Kit
    1 Gal. ProWax Polish™ Satin
  • Other Products Used:
    Mica Powder
CitrusEtch™ concrete etcher
CitrusEtch™ concrete etcher
Spiked Shoes for Staining Concrete Floors
Spiked Shoes
ProClean Neutralizer
ProClean Neutralizer™
Charcoal AcquaTint Swatch
AcquaTint™ Charcoal
Silver Gray AcquaTint Swatch
AcquaTint™ Silver Gray
ProWax Polish™ Satin
ProWax Polish™ Satin

Cumin & Wheat AcquaTint™

This sunroom floor was transformed by blending two AcquaTint™ colors—Cumin and Wheat—using spray bottles to create a marbled, pond-like effect. As the tints settled, they merged to form a unique design. Small fish were hand-stained into the pattern before sealing with ProWax Polish™, completing the look of a serene pond.

A sunroom floor with a marbled effect created using Cumin and Wheat tints, resembling a pond.
A sunroom floor with a marbled effect created using Cumin and Wheat AcquaTint

Learn How to Apply AcquaTint™

If you’re excited about transforming your indoor spaces, why not extend your creativity outdoors? Check out our blog ‘Charcoal Outdoor Stains: Real DIY Outdoor Projects You’ll Love‘ to discover fantastic ideas for your exterior concrete surfaces.