Make Concrete Floors Look Like Leather With Acid Stains

By Kimberly Raley

January 2021 – $250 Cash Winner

We are very amateur DIYers, so if we can do this anyone can!

Acid staining concrete floors is a great way to add character and style to any space. In this blog post, we will be sharing our experience on how we acid stained our floor using the Desert Amber and Coffee Brown acid stain for a leather look finish.

Our home has a “French Country farmhouse” style, but we wanted to add a more casual and rustic touch to this particular space. We incorporated industrial farmhouse elements such as a reclaimed wood feature wall, a live edge bar area, and a sliding barn door. Staining the interior concrete floors with these two colors was the perfect way to bring all of these elements together and create a cohesive look. Join us as we guide you through the process of acid staining your own concrete floor.

A side-by-side comparison of a plain concrete basement floor (before) and a transformed, layered leather look (after) — Before and After: A plain concrete floor transformed into a stunning leather look with acid staining..

View Products Used

Desert Amber EverStain Acid Stain — EverStain™ Desert Amber

Coffee Brown EverStain Swatch — EverStain™ Coffee Brown

We’ve been wanting to try this since the basement floors were poured in November 2019. This 400 square foot area will be a family/rec room. We decided to do the floors ourselves before the drywall, etc. goes up. For that, we have pros coming to complete very soon.

Our basement is framed in and divided into three spaces; two will be completed and the third is a large storage area. We are so pleased with how this turned out [that] we are going to do it during “phase two” of our basement remodel, applying it to the second living space which will include a laundry room, workout area a half bath.

How To Acid Stain Machine Troweled Concrete Floors

To ensure that you have the best acid stain absorption possible, some prep work is required specific to acid staining. This DIYer guide is specific to concrete floors that have been machine troweled and do not have carpet glue or paint stains on them.

Step 1: Prepare Concrete Before Staining

Clean the Surface

Use a shop vac or sweep and mop floors with a concrete cleaner and degreaser.

Photo of unfinished concrete floor — Unfinished concrete floor

Cover the Walls

Use plastic sheeting and painters tape to cover the walls and protect them from getting stained.

Image of taped and plastic-covered walls in a basement, ready for acid staining after thorough cleaning with a cleaner and degreaser. — Prepping for the project: Our walls were protected with tape and plastic to safeguard the insulation. After sweeping thoroughly, we used a cleaner and degreaser to ensure a clean surface for the acid stain.

Etch Concrete Floor

Basements are often the smoothest rooms in a house – so smooth that they cannot be successfully stained without the pre-application of chemical or mechanical profiling that helps the acid stain penetrate the concrete and take effect.

Most slabs will be ready for staining after applying CitrusEtch concrete etcher. Cut the product with water 1:1, spray from a garden sprayer and wash off with clear water after 15-20 minutes.

For excessively smooth concrete, apply the floor prep at full strength for optimal results.

Applying Etching Solution on Machine Troweled Concrete Floor — Etching the concrete: The concrete floor was machine troweled smooth, so we used an etching solution to rough up the surface before applying the acid stain. In this photo, a person is seen applying the etching solution with a roller on the concrete floor

Image of etching solution being applied on the surface of a machine troweled concrete floor, creating a rough surface for acid staining — The etching process in action: The etching solution is visibly working to rough up the surface of the machine troweled concrete floor, creating a better surface for the acid stain to adhere to.

Neutralize and Rinse

DIYerTIP: When the surface requires etching, be sure to clean it thoroughly before it dries (hence the photo with white shoe prints). Wear your spikes when doing this. It took about 12 scrubbings and a hand sander to clean that up!

Image of footprints on the concrete floor caused by not wearing spiked shoes while applying etching solution, highlighting the importance of following safety precautions and thoroughly rinsing the etching solution. — Lesson learned: This photo shows the footprints etched on the concrete floor due to not wearing spiked shoes while applying the etching solution. It's a reminder to always follow safety precautions and thoroughly rinse the etching solution to avoid this type of mistake

Image of concrete floor after sanding and scrubbing off the footprints etched on the surface, preparing the surface for acid staining. — Fixing our mistake: After realizing our error with the footprints, we sanded and scrubbed the affected areas to remove them and ensure a smooth surface for the acid stain.

Step 2: Apply Acid Stain Colors

Apply acid stain using a pump up sprayer. Safety while applying colorant is important. Remember to use long sleeves, pants, goggles, and gloves while working with the acid stain.

DIYer Tip: Be patient! Watch the “how to” videos featured on this website. If you have a question don’t be afraid to call or email customer service. They respond quickly, professionally and are very helpful and friendly.

Spray Base Color (Lighter Color)

Image of wet Desert Amber acid stain on the surface of a concrete floor — First coat of color: We decided to use the wet-on-wer acid staining technique, in this photo the Desert Amber acid stain is being applied with a pump-up sprayer.

Spray Accent Color (Darker Color)

For more detailed information and techniques, read How to Layer Two Acid Stain Colors.

Image of wet Coffee Brown applied over wet Desert Amber acid stain creating a beautiful layered effect while still wet. — Layering colors: We decided to use the wet-on-wet acid staining technique for the second color, Coffee Brown. It's being applied over wet Desert Amber, creating a beautiful layered effect while still wet.

Image of Desert Amber and Coffee Brown acid stains reacting with the concrete floor and being checked for final desired color by spraying water over it, simulating the final sealed color. — Checking the final color: Before neutralizing the acid stains, we're checking the final color by spraying water over the surface. This simulates the final sealed color and allows us to make any necessary adjustments before proceeding with the next step.

Image of Desert Amber and Coffee Brown acid stains reacting with the concrete floor, creating unique and one-of-a-kind coloring. — Allowing the acid stains to react: The acid stains are allowed to sit on the concrete for a specific time period, during which the acid reacts with the concrete and creates a unique and one-of-a-kind coloring. This photo shows the acid stains in the process of reacting with the concrete.

Allow Acid Stain to React

For information on how long to leave the acid stain on the concrete, refer to our guide “How Long to Leave Acid Stain on Concrete“.

Drying process: The Coffee Brown acid stain has been applied over Desert Amber, creating a beautiful layered effect. This photo shows the dry acid stain before the neutralizing process.

Reaction time process: The Coffee Brown acid stain has been applied over the dried Desert Amber, creating a beautiful layered effect. This photo shows the dry acid stains on the concrete floor before the neutralizing process.

Neutralize Acid Stain

This image captures the floor after the initial rinse with ProClean Degreaser, effectively removing neutralizer and acid stain residues from the surface, as it progresses through the treatment process.

Dilute one 4-ounce bottle of ProClean Neutralizer™ to one gallon of water.
Spray the solution on every inch of the floor.
Let it soak for 15 minutes.

Neutralizing Acid Stain: In this image, the acid-stained floor has been treated with the ProClean Neutralizer solution, which has now dried, preparing the surface for the next steps in the process. — Neutralizing Acid Stain: In this image, the acid-stained floor has been treated with the ProClean Neutralizer™ solution, which has now dried, preparing the surface for the next steps in the process.

For more details on neutralizing acid stain, check out our guide “How to Neutralize Concrete Acid Stain”.

Clean Residue

Scrub with a soft nylon bristle scrub brush where needed to remove residue.
Wash the surface carefully using clean water until nothing but clear water is visible.
Remove all residue and excess color from the concrete before leaving it to dry.
For stubborn residue or porous surfaces, use an organic degreaser to aid in the removal. The clean, wet surface will be the approximate color of the final sealed surface.
Leave to dry.
After the surface has completely dried, the floor should be ready to seal.

Image of acid stained concrete floor being rinsed and having residue removed after the neutralizing solution has been applied and dried, ensuring a clean surface for the sealer application. — Cleaning the surface: After the neutralizing solution has been applied and dried, the surface is rinsed and any remaining residue is removed to ensure a clean surface for the sealer application.

DCPro TIP: Using a shop vac to wash out and clean acid residue decreases the process time and effort dramatically

Allow to Dry

Image of a cleaned acid stained concrete floor, with a smooth surface ready for the sealer application. — Clean surface: The acid stained floor has been rinsed and cleaned, leaving a smooth surface ready for the sealer application

Step 3: Apply Concrete Sealant

When working on indoor projects, it’s important to consider the smell and ventilation. For this reason, we recommend using water-based sealers. They emit minimal odor and are safe to use even when your family or pets are present in the home.

Apply First Coat

Before applying the sealer, it’s important to remove any filters from the pump-up sprayer. Once the sprayer is ready, shake the AcquaSeal™ water-based sealer well to mix it properly. When applying the sealer, use slightly circular motions with irregular overlaps to ensure an even coverage. It’s important to apply thin coats to avoid puddling and ensure that the sealer is evenly distributed over the surface.

Image of the first coat of sealer applied on the acid stained concrete floor — First coat of sealer: After cleaning and preparing the surface, the first coat of sealer was applied using a pump-up sprayer.

Allow to Dry

Image of acid stained concrete floor after the first coat of AcquaSeal™, the surface is dry and ready for the next coat of sealer application to protect and enhance the color of the floor. — After first coat of sealer: The acid stained floor has been sealed with the first coat of AcquaSeal™

When applying the sealer, it is important to allow 12 hours between coats. This will ensure that the first coat has fully dried and the surface is ready for the next application. A maximum of two thin coats should be used to ensure the best results.

Apply Second Coat

The second coat of sealer is applied using the same method as the first coat. This will ensure an even coverage and the best results.

Image of acid stained concrete floor after the second coat of AcquaSeal™ — Final coat of sealer: The acid stained floor has been sealed with the second coat of sealer

Allow to Dry (12-24 Hours)

A fully cured water-based sealer will be clear and not cloudy in appearance. It should also be completely dry to the touch and should not leave any fingerprints when touched.

Step 4: Concrete Floor Wax

Apply First Coat

Soak the trim pad applicator in warm water.
Wring out excess water from the applicator.
Pour ProWax Polish floor wax into a paint tray.
Saturate the trim pad with the concrete wax solution.
Press out excess wax.
Apply a thin milky coat across the floor surface. The product will appear milky in application but clear as it dries.
Smooth out any foaming from the concrete surface.

Allow to Dry (12 Hours)

Acid stained and sealed concrete floor after first coat of ProWax Polish™ application — A new level of shine: the first coat of ProWax Polish™ application is still wet on this acid stained and sealed concrete floor

Apply Second Coat

Acid stained and sealed concrete floor after second coat of ProWax Polish™ application — A final touch of perfection: the second coat of ProWax Polish™ is applied on this acid stained and sealed concrete floor

Allow to Dry (24 Hours)

Glossy finish enhances vibrant colors while the sealer is still wet, making the surface look even more beautiful

A photo of a completed acid stained concrete floor, displaying the unique leathered multi-layered color effect on the surface — The completed acid stained concrete floor, showcasing the beautiful leathered multi-layered color effect

By following these steps, you will be able to achieve a leathered multi-layered and protected surface on your concrete floor. Remember to always wear the proper safety gear and to read the instructions on the products you are using. Don’t hesitate to seek Direct Colors’ help if you feel unsure about any step of the process. And most importantly, have fun with it!

Stunning rustic family/rec room featuring a concrete floor stained with desert amber and coffee brown acid stain

Final look of a transformed basement into a rustic family/rec room with desert amber and coffee brown acid stain. The room features a live edge bar area, sliding barn door, and a reclaimed wood feature wall.

Acid Staining Concrete Floors: Basement DIY Guide

A side-by-side comparison of a plain concrete basement floor (before) and a transformed, multi-layered and protected surface (after) achieved with acid staining, sealing and waxing techniques. — Before and After: A plain concrete basement floor transformed into a stunning, multi-layered and protected surface with acid staining, sealing and waxing techniques.

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