Coffee Brown Concrete Stain Gallery

Project Info:

• Project Completed In: 4 day(s)
• Estimate of Square Footage: 200 sq. ft.
• Project Description:
  My husband designed and installed a full concrete extension to the driveway because we did not want to go the traditional paver extension route that many of our neighbors do. It sat in its finished but unstained state for over a year before we finally decided to stain it! We knew we wanted a neutral look that wouldn’t argue with the exterior colors of the house, but that also wouldn’t clash with the cool-toned “blue” of the driveway pavers.
  After two rounds of trial kits to find the best color for our project, we originally decided that we would want to lay an all-over stain of Malayan Buff, with accents of Coffee Brown. Once things began to dry, however, we thought it needed to be darker. So we went through with another (heavier) coat of Coffee Brown to achieve the look we were hoping for!
  Finally after a few days of coating and dry time, we were able to seal and use!
• Personal Tips:
  1. Definitely take the time and money to invest in a trial kit. You will want to see the colors in person and in their final state, and how the colors will compliment the surroundings.
  2. When using a pump-deck sprayer, be sure to begin each spray/trigger-pull off your project to avoid splatter marks. And use small circular motions to help diffuse any areas that appear too concentrated as you are applying.
  3. Use a two-man team if you can! Depending on your project, or look, it will be a lot easier to have one person laying down the base color while the second person is following with an accent color.
• Direct Colors Products Used:
  1 Gal. Malayan Buff EverStain Acid Stain x 2
  1 Gal. Coffee Brown EverStain Acid Stain x 1
  1 Qt. Cleaner & Degreaser Concentrate x 1
  1 Gal. Solvent Based Acrylic Satin Concrete Sealer and Paver Sealer x 4
  Scrub Brush x 1
  Pump-up deck sprayer x 2

Other Products Used:
Gloves
Respirator mask
Eye protection

Project Info:

• Project Completed In: 5 day(s)
• Estimate of Square Footage: 250 sq. ft.
• Project Description:
  Small patio with 6 month old add on concrete and 25 year old concrete.
• Personal Tips:
  Sun dries the stain out fastUse the spikes
• Direct Colors Products Used:
  Coffee brown and black everstain

Other Products Used:
Dawn detergent

Project Info:

• Project Completed In: 2 day(s)
• Estimate of Square Footage: 1200 sq. ft.
• Project Description:
  New construction stamped concrete front and back patio
• Personal Tips:
  We used a push broom to get the sealer into the cracks

Direct Colors Products Used:
Coffee Acid Stain and Acrylic Sealer

Project Info:

• Project Completed In: 4 day(s)
• Estimate of Square Footage: 520 sq. ft.
• Project Description:
  I converted an old shop at our cabin into a game room. I wanted to keep the concrete floors for ease of cleaning & although I’d never used concrete stain before, it was an awesome (and fun) experience. I used three colors and was a bit afraid once I started, but it turned out amazing!!!
• Personal Tips:
  Do a test patch. I got a little impatient and wanted to just jump in and get it done, but the colors take differently so it’s really a good idea to see what it ends up looking like. I did inside a closet to start. Glad I did.
• Direct Colors Products Used:
  Malayan Buff, Coffee Brown, Desert Amber

Other Products Used:
I purchased the kit & so glad I did. It was worth the money to know I had all the products I needed.

Project Info:

• Project Completed In: 7 day(s)
• Estimate of Square Footage: 600.00 sq. ft.
• Project Description:
  On a whim we decided to rip out our 40 year old forest green carpet. We then began testing colors of stain and spent a few months debating when we were going to do the stain and what colors we wanted. When we finally decided the full process only took about 7 days and then a 48 hour in between period before we added the high gloss wax. I am beyond thrilled with the results and so happy that we picked direct colors. The guides are great and the DIY kit is perfect.
• Personal Tips:
  The degreaser that comes in the kit is amazing don’t waste your time with anything else to clean your concrete. Definitely test out the colors in a closet or hidden space some colors do not provide the same results because of the concrete slabs all being different.
• Direct Colors Products Used:
  Malayan Buff and Coffee Brown. Degreaser
  High gloss wax

Other Products Used:
The only thing additional was having to get quarter round to finish the trim.

I am a home owner and have wanted to try my hand at staining our concrete since we moved in nearly 10 years ago. I found the acid stain through Direct Color and knew I needed to buy bulk as my project started with a patio (600 sq ft) and the ease of use has now extended to all concrete around my house and into my garage an additional 1600 sq ft. I ordered Direct Color 5 gallon Dark Coffee acid stain and 5 gallon satin finish acrylic sealer. It was very important to me to ensure safety on the finished product and not create a slip hazard. I used small grit sand in the final coat to prevent slippage on the steps and porch areas.

I work in an office by day, so I really did not have any experience with staining concrete. I together with my wife and 11 year old granddaughter completed the project over 5 days. I started by pressure washing the concrete and doing this 2 times a year, I said enough, I am staining it and sealing it. I had washed it the last time. After 4 hours of pressure washing and scrubbing the surface was clean and the products arrived within 2 days, so the timing was perfect.

I began in an evening after work and my 11 year old granddaughter used a pump sprayer to lightly wet the concrete. I mixed my first coat of stain 1 part stain to 3 parts water in a separate fence/deck sprayer with the yellow tip and sprayed an even coat. Within minutes the concrete was changing colors and I continued to spray an even base coat. I ordered the darkest brown to ensure I could stretch it through my project and also dilute it to create the different colors I wanted. My house has many colors of brick as you can see in the pictures and I wanted to highlight the same colors in my stain. The next morning I went out at 3am before work and I mixed 2 parts water to 1 part stain, I then made patterns using the pump sprayer and just sprayed random areas. I left for work and let it dry. After work, I used a leaf blower to clean off the debris and continue. My wife saw the progress and this time she sprayed the water ahead of me and I followed with a 1 part water to 1 part stain mix. I used this sparingly and over lapped some of the previous two sessions. This was my final coat. I let it dry and the next day I cleaned it off and used ammonia/water to deactivate the acid. I let the stain dry for a full 24 hours. On day 4 I started the sealer. I used a roller with an extension handle with a 3/8″ nap and found this to be a very simple way. Every 4 hours I returned with the leaf blower and added another coat for a total of 3 coats. On the steps and porch to prevent a slick area, I sprinkled pool sand across the top layer lightly and let it dry. I returned for a 4th and final coat.

The product works great and the instructions are very easy to follow. I am very happy with the results and am looking forward to completing my garage floor. I am going to use a buffer to remove the current finish and partially stain with the remaining dark coffee and leave some of the natural grey. Then I am going to follow up with a high gloss acrylic sealer and sand.