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Transformations: Commercial Concrete Staining Before and Afters

Welcome to our gallery of commercial concrete staining projects! Here, you can see the amazing transformations that have been achieved with the application of concrete stain. Concrete stain is a versatile and cost-effective way to add color and character to concrete surfaces, and it can be used on a variety of commercial spaces including retail stores, restaurants, offices, and more. Whether you are looking for inspiration for your own project or simply want to see the creative possibilities of concrete staining, we hope you enjoy browsing our collection of before and after photos.

Valtex Headquarters Office

Specializing in full shell construction, subcontractor Valtex considered what to do for the floors in their new headquarters. Coming in at 3,500 square feet, it was an ambitious project from the get-go!

A blue acid stain base with black concrete veining ended up being the winning combination. The concrete floors were then topped off with glossy sealer and floor wax – look at ’em shine!

Commercial Concrete Floor
Before
Photo of a clean and prepared concrete floor, ready for the application of acid stain to achieve a stunning transformation.
Cleaning concrete surface
Photo of a concrete floor displaying the subtle Azure Blue base color after applying and allowing the lighter acid stain to activate.
The concrete floor begins its transformation with the application of the lighter Azure Blue acid stain base color, setting the stage for a stunning finish.
Photo of a concrete floor showcasing the striking effect of the Black acid stain veining technique applied as an accent color over the Azure Blue base.
The concrete floor comes to life as the Black acid stain veining technique adds depth and contrast to the Azure Blue base color, creating a unique and eye-catching design.
Sealing Acid Stained Commercial Floor
EasySeal application
Black, Azure Blue Acid Stained Commercial Concrete Floor
Azure Blue & Black EverStain on commercial concrete floor
Azure Blue EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Azure Blue
Black Acid Stain Concrete Color
EverStain™ Black
AcquaSeal Gloss
AcquaSeal™ Gloss
ProWax Polish™ Satin
ProWax Polish™ Satin

Barndominium Office

What a beautiful barndo office, using a wet on dry technique for layering acid stain. This application method helps control the heavier shades of color, such as coffee brown.

Acid stained barndominium office concrete floor
A barndominium office space with a concrete floor stained in a marbled pattern using azure blue and coffee brown acid stains
Acid stained barndominium office concrete floor
Acid stained barndominium office concrete floor
A newly stained concrete floor in a barndominium office with a marbled pattern of azure blue and coffee brown acid stains
A closer look at the marbled concrete floor in this barndominium office, created by layering acid stains for a modern, rustic finish.
Acid stained barndominium office concrete floor
EverStain Azure Blue base color and Coffee Brown wet on dry acid staining technique
Azure Blue EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Azure Blue
Coffee Brown EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Coffee Brown
AcquaSeal Satin
AcquaSeal™ Satin
ProWax Polish™ Satin
ProWax Polish™ Satin

Pizza Parlor

Concrete dye and acid stain brought even more personality to this pizza parlor’s concrete floor. The neutral beige concrete stain really complements the exposed brick wall!

In this case, the concrete was over 30 years old and contained problem areas that would not take the stain at all. So it was Vibrance™ concrete dye to the rescue!

Finished dining area in the pizzeria
Slice of ambiance: The captivating Mill House Pizza Restaurant, showing off its revitalized floor and unique interior design
Image showcasing the finished dining area of the pizzeria, with exposed brick walls and vintage posters
Dining with a dash of style: The completed Mill House Pizza Restaurant dining area, showing the concrete floor's new life, the character-rich exposed brick walls, and the charming vintage posters
Image of the faded, aged concrete floor with white spots, before treatmen
Before: The original, aged concrete floor in Mill House Pizza Restaurant, showing signs of wear and discoloration
Close-up image of a portion of the floor after acid stain application, showcasing areas that did not accept the stain
Staining challenges: Close-up of areas where the acid stain did not take, signaling the need for Vibrance™ Malayan Buff concrete dye.
Image of the floor post-Vibrance™ dye application and during the sealing process
Progress: The floor post Malayan Buff Vibrance™ dye application, visibly evening out the color, and in the process of being sealed for durability
Image of the fully sealed concrete floor
Sealed and protected: The revitalized concrete floor after sealing, showcasing its new, balanced coloration
Malayan Buff EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Malayan Buff
Malayan Buff Vibrance Swatch
Vibrance™ Malayan Buff
AcquaSeal Satin
AcquaSeal™ Satin
ProWax Polish™ Satin
ProWax Polish™ Satin

Gym Floor Upgrade

Acid stain is low-maintenance, easy to clean, and the perfect choice for a concrete gym floor! Three acid stain colors added depth and dimension to this space, and the concrete veining application method produced great results.

Concrete surface preparation
Surface preparation
veining technique acid stained design
Azure Blue EverStain veining technique acid stained design
Filling in the spaces with EverStain Malayan Buff acid stain color
Filling in the spaces with EverStain Malayan Buff acid stain color
Acid staining acid staining technique
Malayan Buff and Azure Blue EverStain acid stains
Coffee Brown acid stain accents
Coffee Brown acid stain accents using wet on dry acid staining technique
Malayan Buff base with Coffee Brown accents
Malayan Buff base with Coffee Brown accents
Sealed acid stained concrete floor
Sealed
After EasySeal satin application
48 hours after EasySeal satin application
First coat of ProWax Polish
First coat of ProWax Polish
After second coat of ProWax Polish
After second coat of ProWax Polish
Azure Blue EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Azure Blue
Malayan Buff EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Malayan Buff
Coffee Brown EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Coffee Brown
AcquaSeal Satin
AcquaSeal™ Satin
ProWax Polish™ Satin
ProWax Polish™ Satin

Animal Hospital

Acid stain livened up this animal hospital floor with an interesting combination of colors. Even with normal wear and tear from the animals, this stained concrete floor should hold up nicely! The sealer further ensures that it will retain its durability and protection.

animal hospital stained concrete floors
acid stained floors kennel Malayan Buff & Azure Blue
Animal Hospital Floor Stained with Malayan Buff & Azure Blue Acid Stains. Sealed with Polyurethane Sealer
Acid Stained animal hospital concrete floor
Acid Stained animal hospital concrete floor
Acid Stained animal hospital concrete floor
Malayan Buff and Azure Blue Acid Stained Floors Sealed with Acrylic Satin Finish Sealer
animal hospital stained concrete floors
Azure Blue and Malayan Buff EverStain acid stained wet on wet technique
Malayan Buff EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Malayan Buff
Azure Blue EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Azure Blue
EasySeal Satin
EasySeal™ Satin
ProWax Polish™ Satin
ProWax Polish™ Satin

Check Out That Liquor Store Floor!

Concrete stain can handle all the heavy foot traffic in a commercial space. That’s why stained concrete floors were the most reasonable option for this liquor store.

Stained liquor store concrete floor
Stained liquor store concrete floor

Commercial Garage Floor Upgrade

Whoa. This default gray garage floor transformed into an acid stain dream! The shifting sand brown stain and coffee brown stain add depth and visual focus to the space.

Concrete Garage Floor
Before
Acid Stained Garage Floor
Malayan Buff, Shifting Sand & Coffee Brown EverStain acid stained garage floor
Sealing acid stained garage floor
Sealing acid stained garage floor
Acid stained concrete garage floor
Malayan Buff, Shifting Sand and Coffee Brown EverStain
Acid Stained Garage Floor
Acid Stained Garage Floor
Shifting Sand EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Shifting Sand
Coffee Brown EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Coffee Brown
Malayan Buff EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Malayan Buff
EasySeal Satin
EasySeal™ Satin

Two Stall Boat Storage Garage

Our DC customer was intimidated by acid stain, even having been in construction for 28 years! They were surprised by how much less technical this boat garage storage project ended up being. We agree that this acid stained garage floor completes the look of the space. What a big, beautiful backdrop for that boat!

Concrete Garage Floor Boat Storage
Before
acid stained garage turned boat storage
Shifting Sand & Malayan Buff EverStain acid stained garage turned boat storage
Cleaning Concrete Floors
Cleaning Concrete Floors
Cleaning and Removing Acid Stain Residue
Cleaning and removing acid stain residue
Sealer Application
Sealer Application
Acid Stained Garage Floor
Dry
  • Project Completed In: 4 day(s)
  • Estimate of Square Footage: 0.00900 sq. ft.
  • Project Description:
    Two stall garage for boat storage with an office and reloading loft above the office. I’ve been in and around construction for 28 years, but have never been involved with an acid stain project. To be honest, I was a bit intimidated tackling this project by myself; however it was easier than installing the wood paneling and metal siding. Not as technical with measurements and fitting. The floor just finishes the space.
  • Personal Tips:
    Watch as many YouTube videos as possible.Spend as much time as needed to ensure your prep work is complete. I sanded the entire floor area with 40 grit sandpaper for the mechanical etching process to ensure a uniform finish.Wash and clean floor at least 3 times to remove all dust from the etching process.I used carpet drying fans to aid in the drying process after the initial wash, neutralization wash and during the sealing process. Fans during the sealing process helped ventilate the room since I used an acrylic sealer.Use a high quality respiratory if you use an acrylic sealer.
  • Direct Colors Products Used:
    Mayalayan buff and shifting sands
    Acrylic sealer

Other Products Used:
Hitachi palm sander
Wet/dry vac
Floor squeegee
Carpet fans
Spray bottle
Garden sprayer

Shifting Sand EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Shifting Sand
Malayan Buff EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Malayan Buff
EasySeal Satin
EasySeal™ Satin

Tattoo Shop Floor Renovation

‘Til Death Tattoo in Springfield, Missouri understands the value of thorough prep work! After removing the carpet in this commercial space, this brand new tattoo shop got crackin’ on their first-ever DIY project.

It wasn’t easy, but by the end, they were pretty proud of their artistry skills – and the results! We love how they used two acid stain colors to create a marbled look with vintage vibes. The colored concrete floor brings so much charm and personality to the space!

Removing Carpet
Before
Acid Stained Concrete Floor
After
Carpeted Commercial Floors
Carpeted Commercial Floors
Removing Carpet Glue
Removing Carpet Glue
Shifting Sand EverStain Heart on Concrete Floor
Shifting Sand EverStain Heart
Applying Acid Stain with Pump Sprayer
Applying Acid Stain with Pump Sprayer
Developing Acid Stains
Developing Acid Stains
Sealed and Waxed Malayan Buff and Shifting Sand EverStain
Sealed and Waxed Malayan Buff and Shifting Sand EverStain
Sealed and Waxed Malayan Buff and Shifting Sand EverStain
Sealed and Waxed Malayan Buff and Shifting Sand EverStain

Project Info:

  • Project Completed In: 14 day(s)
  • Estimate of Square Footage: 1000 sq. ft.
  • Project Description:
    This was our first DIY project; and all I have to say is be ready for your prep work! Coming into this we had no idea the amount of labor we were about to put into this project, but nonetheless we are extremely proud of what we created.This is the floor in the tattoo shop we’re opening (‘Til Death Tattoo, in Springfield, Missouri.) Originally the previous owners had carpet in the space. After ripping up the carpet, it appeared to have multiple layers of glue and other adhesives.We literally tried everything to remove this… acetone, adhesive remover pad on a buffer, goo gone… in the end a hand held razorblade scraper from harbor freight with lots of blades and elbow grease was the best removal. We used a diamabrush etching pad on a buffer we rented to open up the pores.After all that was completed, we moved to cleaning. Lots of plain hot water wetmopping, followed up by a good couple rounds of TSP mopping, and then more mopping until the bucket came back clear when we rung out the mop.After all this, it was smooth sailing. Simply follow the guidelines of DirectColors for application. You really can’t go wrong with the stain, this is where you can let your artistry shine. We set our darker tone the day before, and then followed with our light tone early next day and filled in patchy spots with a second coat of light tone a few hours later.Neutralized and cleaned, followed the sealing instructions, and let set for a few days before we came back and laid down the wax.Honestly, wish we had picked commercial high gloss when we did it, but the two gallons of residential got us about 8 coats in total and it turned out just fine!
  • Personal Tips:
    Clean, clean, clean. And then clean again. Your work beforehand and your finishing after your project is sealed makes more of a difference than anything else you will do in the process.

Direct Colors Products Used:
Malaysian Bluff, Shifting Sands, Acid Neutralizer, Sealer, and Residential floor wax. All water based acrylic.

Shifting Sand EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Shifting Sand
Malayan Buff EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Malayan Buff
AcquaSeal Satin
AcquaSeal™ Satin
ProWax Polish™ Satin
ProWax Polish™ Satin
Montly DIY contest