Black Acid Stain Concrete Projects

It all started with the decision to rip up the carpets in the front room and hallway, revealing a floor covered in mess left behind by the contractors who built the house.

After a week of scrubbing and using an angle grinder to remove the stubborn lines around the walls, the floor was ready for staining.

The homeowner applied the black acid stain in overlapping circles, using about 1.5 gallons in total.

After letting the stain turn a milky, clouded color, the floor was flooded and scrubbed to remove any residue.

The homeowner then waited for the floor to dry completely before starting the sealing process, applying two coats of sealer in opposite directions for the best coverage.

After removing the existing carpet and preparing the concrete surface, they applied the stain using a pump sprayer and a circular motion, following up with a light scrubbing of the stain.

After allowing the acid to etch for eight hours, they neutralized the surface and allowed it to dry overnight.

Next, they applied a coat of acrylic sealer with a roller, waiting 24 hours before adding a second coat. Finally, they finished off the project by waxing the floor three times.

While this customer had a successful project overall, they did recommend using a higher quality concrete patching compound that is closer in color and will take the stain better.

If you’re looking to give your basement floor a fresh start, consider following in the footsteps of this customer and using EverStain™  Acid Stain in black.

The key to a successful project, according to this customer, is proper prep work. They recommend taking the time to thoroughly clean and prepare the surface, as the parts of the floor that turned out the best were the ones that received the most attention to detail.

Despite taking a few days longer than expected, the end result was worth it and the customer is already planning to use Direct Colors for their next project.

It’s also important to be flexible and go with the flow, as imperfections can add character and make the project your own.

In addition to the EverStain™ Black Stain and Seal Kit, this customer used Satin ProWax Polish™  to give their floor a polished finish.

They also utilized a floor adhesive remover called Klean Strip to tackle stubborn stains that the degreaser couldn’t remove.

Get the industrial look you crave with this stunning black and coffee brown EverStain™ acid stained concrete floor.

By diluting the acid stain at different strengths, you can achieve a layered, multi-tonal finish that adds depth and character to your space. Perfect for a residential setting, this flooring option is durable and low-maintenance.

Before I began, I made sure to clean the slab thoroughly. It’s about 10 years old, but with a little elbow grease it was ready for the transformation. I then purchased a test kit of three colors I was interested in using: Malayan Buff, Seagrass, and Black. I tested a small area under the island to see how the colors would look together.

To apply the stain, I put on my fashionable spiked shoes and grabbed some sprayers. I started with the Malayan Buff and then followed with the Seagrass Green, adding in a little bit of Black here and there. I applied the colors wet on wet so they would mottle together and create a beautiful, random pattern.

I did a second coat over the first, trying to keep the colors in the same areas as before. I figured that since I was going for a random pattern, it wouldn’t matter if I made any mistakes. It was actually a lot of fun!

After the stain had dried for a couple of days, I mixed together some baking soda and water (1-2 tablespoons per gallon) and used it to neutralize the floor.

I walked around with my spiked shoes and dumped gallons of the mixture all over the floor, letting it sit for a bit before wet-vacuuming it all up with plastic bags on my feet. I then rinsed the floor with plain water three more times, vacuuming up the water each time.

Once the floor was dry (I waited a couple more days to be sure), I applied two coats of EasySeal™ Gloss using a sprayer and back rolling with a dry paint roller with a long handle right after.

The paint roller made it much easier to get an even coat and the results were fantastic! The floor came out beautifully and I can’t wait to do the same thing in the living room area, where I plan on adding a little bit of Cola color to the mix.

Here are a few personal tips I learned along the way:

• Don’t be afraid to use lots of stain. I actually wished I had used more on the first coat, especially since I really liked how the Seagrass was coming out. So I went crazy with it on the second coat and I’m glad I did.
• Make sure to rinse with lots of water after neutralizing. I found that at least three rinses was key to getting a great seal when the floor was dry.
• Make sure to buy good quality rollers that won’t shed.

My wife and I recently gave our home a major upgrade by replacing the old carpet and vinyl flooring with a stunning marble style concrete acid stain. The project took about 5 days to complete and covered around 900 sq. ft. of our living room, hallway, and kitchen.

We chose to go with an acid stain because we were looking for something modern and durable that would last for more than a decade. After doing some research, we were convinced that an acid stain was the way to go and we’re so glad we made the decision.

We also used a floor polisher with a coating removal tool, a shop vac, an angle grinder with a diamond floor grinder blade (for the edges), a squeegee, a floor brush, a trim pad, spiked shoes, and a 3/8 inch nap roller.

Overall, we’re thrilled with how our new floor turned out and we can’t wait to show it off to our friends and family. If you’re considering giving your home a similar makeover, we hope our tips will be helpful to you!

I used a combination of Malayan Buff, Black, and Seagrass to create a marbled effect and then sealed the floor with a high gloss acrylic sealer. I took my time and allowed plenty of drying time between layers of sealer, which is why it took a little longer than expected. But it was well worth the wait, because the end result is absolutely stunning!

In fact, I’m already planning my next project: an outdoor concrete slab patio. I’m really enjoying the process of working with concrete acid stains and I’m even thinking about using the product for things beyond traditional floor treatments, like concrete statues, figurines, and stepping stones. The possibilities are endless!

Here are a few tips I learned along the way:

• Use a lot of water to blend the three colors together and make them look seamless. I used tank sprayers for the stain and had one just for water. I would spray the stain and then “feather” any lines or streaks with water. When I applied the next color, I used the water to blend the two stains together.
• Know that the results will be unpredictable depending on the type of concrete, the finish, etc. I was a little nervous at first, but once I got started, the motions just seemed to flow.
• Use a roller pad (paint roller) with a long broom handle, acid-appropriate sprayers, Scotch brand tape or plastic around the baseboards and up the walls, a mop and mop bucket, and Cat Track shoe covers (spiked) to protect your feet.

I used Direct Colors Concrete EverStain™ Acid Stain in Malayan Buff, Black, and Seagrass, as well as the AcquaSeal™ in high gloss.

The products worked beautifully and I’m looking forward to using them again in the future.

Overall, I couldn’t be happier with the way my basement floor turned out. If you’re considering a similar project, I hope these tips will be helpful to you!