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Antiquing™ Stain

How-to-Guide
antiquing-preliminary-testing-infographic

Test Before You Stain

Concrete varies in color, texture, and porosity. Before staining the entire project, test Antiquing™ Stain on a small, inconspicuous area. Prepare and apply the test exactly as you will the full project.

Before proceeding, confirm:

  • Water absorbs into the concrete within 3–5 minutes. If it beads or remains on the surface, clean and etch or mechanically profile the area, then retest.
  • The stain dries evenly and the pigment does not wipe off easily.
  • After applying your selected compatible sealer, the final color and sheen meet your expectations.

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Is Your Concrete Ready?

Antiquing™ Stain performs best on clean, cured, sound and porous exterior concrete. Complete these five checks before beginning. If any check fails, correct the condition and test again before staining.

1. Clean and Coating-Free

Ready when: The concrete is clean, dry and free of dust, grease, oil, paint, adhesive, curing compounds, efflorescence, algae, mildew and previous sealers.

If it isn’t ready: Degrease and scrub the surface, rinse thoroughly and allow it to dry. Completely remove paint, adhesive and old sealer. Avoid acid washing, which may affect stain performance.

2. Fully Cured

Ready when: New concrete or cement-based overlays have cured for at least 28 days.

New concrete note: If a curing product was used, verify that it was an internal, non-film-forming cure. Film-forming curing compounds must be removed before staining.

3. Within the Temperature Range

Ready when:

  • Air temperature is 40–95°F (4–35°C).
  • Surface temperature is 50–85°F (10–29°C).
  • The concrete is cool, dry and out of direct sunlight.

If the surface is hot or sunny: Wait until temperatures begin to fall. Hot concrete can cause bubbling, hazing and uneven results.

4. Structurally Sound

Ready when: The concrete is solid and shows no flaking, spalling, delamination or loose material.

If damage is present: Remove unsound material by grinding, shot blasting or another appropriate mechanical method, then complete the necessary repairs before staining.

Professional requirement: Concrete must have a minimum compressive strength of 2,500 psi.

5. Absorption Test Passed

Ready when: Water absorbs into the concrete within 3–5 minutes.

If water beads or remains on the surface: A previous coating or a dense surface may be blocking penetration. Strip existing sealer, then clean and etch or mechanically profile the concrete. Repeat the absorption test before proceeding.

Water beads up — NOT ready. Etch first with CitrusEtch™

Water beads up — NOT ready Water beads up — NOT ready

Water soaks in and darkens — Ready to stain

Water soaks in and darkens — Ready to stain Water soaks in and darkens — Ready to stain

All five checks passed? You’re ready to gather your tools and prepare the work area.

Next: Gather Your Tools

Gather Your Tools

You may not need every item shown. Build your checklist based on your concrete’s condition, the size of the project and your selected sealer.

Direct Colors
Safety Essentials — Every Project

Wear the personal protective equipment specified in the Antiquing™ Stain Safety Data Sheet. This may include chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, protective clothing and appropriate respiratory protection.

Before opening the stain, make sure the work area is properly ventilated and all flames, pilot lights, sparks and other ignition sources have been eliminated.

Direct Colors
Clean and Protect — Every Project

Products and tools:

  • ProClean™ Degreaser
  • Pressure washer or stiff scrub brush
  • Broom
  • Mop and bucket
  • Wet/dry vacuum
  • Plastic sheeting or drop cloths

Why you need them: Dirt, grease, coatings and cleaning residue can prevent the stain from penetrating or bonding evenly.

Important: Do not attach tape directly to concrete. Secure protective coverings to walls, trim or other non-concrete surfaces.

Direct Colors
Etch or Profile — Only If the Absorption Test Fails

Add these items only if water does not absorb within 3–5 minutes:

  • CitrusEtch™ Concrete Etcher
  • ProClean™ Neutralizer
  • Chemical-resistant safety equipment
  • Plastic pump sprayer
  • Spiked shoes
  • Stiff scrub brush or broom
  • Mop and bucket
  • Wet/dry vacuum

Important distinction: Etching can open dense, uncoated concrete, but it will not remove paint or sealer. Existing coatings must be stripped or mechanically removed before staining.

Direct Colors
Apply the Stain — Choose Your Method

Larger Projects

Use:

  • Antiquing™ Stain
  • Low-pressure plastic pump sprayer
  • Spiked shoes

Remove the sprayer filter before adding the stain. Keep the tank agitated during application because pigments settle quickly.

Small Projects and Test Areas

Use:

  • Antiquing™ Stain
  • Small black foam brush or foam applicator
  • Tub, dishpan or clean container large enough for easy dipping

For a 4-ounce trial bottle, the foam brush may be dipped directly into the bottle. Mix or shake the stain again before each refill or re-dipping session.

Direct Colors
Seal the Surface — Required

Choose your compatible sealer before beginning the project so the correct application tools are ready when the stain has dried.

Compatible sealer options:

  • EasySeal™
  • AcquaSeal™
  • HydroCryl™

Application tools:

  • Compatible plastic pump sprayer; or
  • ¼-inch nap roller, frame and tray

Follow the selected sealer’s application instructions. Apply OxiGrip™ in the final sealer coat when additional slip resistance is needed and the products are compatible.

2 . Preparation

  • Antiquing™ Stain is a semi-transparent stain designed for outdoor use.
  • Plan the work area in manageable sections, utilizing natural break points such as walls and joints to avoid discrepancies in application. Maintain control of wet edges to reduce overlap marks.
  • Area Preparation: Protect surfaces not intended for staining by covering surrounding areas to prevent accidental application.
  • Avoid using tape on concrete surfaces before or after staining, as adhesives and plasticizers can interfere with thestain's effectiveness.

Please note that Antiquing™ Stain will not cover imperfections like paint would.

3 . Application

Please Note: The color of the stain in the bottle might not reflect the final color.

Applying

  • Remove pump-up sprayer filters.

  • Shake the Antiquing™ bottle thoroughly before use and pour the stain into the sprayer.

  • Apply two coats wet-on-wet (no drying between coats) using circular, overlapping passes with a pump-up sprayer (filter removed). Shake the sprayer side to side frequently to keep the pigment mixed, since it settles fast.

  • Start at the farthest corner and work your way towards an exit. There is no need to wait for the first coat to dry before applying the second.

  • Allow the stain to dry completely for at least 8 hours before proceeding to sealer application.

For Smaller projects

  • Shake the Antiquing™ bottle well before use.

  • For bottles larger than 4 ounces, pour a small amount into a separate container. If using a 4-ounce bottle, dip the foam brush directly into the bottle.

  • Submerge and saturate a foam brush or sponge in the Antiquing™ stain, and apply the stain to the surface using the foam brush or sponge.

  • Shake the Antiquing™ bottle well before pouring more for the next batch or before re-dipping the brush if using the 4-ounce size.

  • Allow the stain to dry completely for at least 8 hours.

4 . Sealing

  • Sealing is required — and for best results, we recommend a Direct Colors high-solids acrylic sealer. Apply a high-solids acrylic sealer to lock in, enhance, and protect the stain's color and finish. For a lasting, vibrant result, we highly recommend our compatible sealers: AcquaSeal™ or HydroCryl™ (water-based acrylic) or EasySeal™ (solvent-based acrylic) — each formulated to encapsulate the pigment, deepen the color, and extend the durability of your Antiquing™ Stain finish.
  • Ensure the surface is clean and dry prior to sealing.
  • Apply two thin coats of the chosen sealer.
  • Sealing stained surfaces enhances their brilliance and depth of color.
  • Epoxy and solvent-based sealers will produce a deep and brilliant look, whereas water-based sealers tend to givea moretoned-down appearance.

For Outdoor Projects

Direct Colors
  • Choose between EasySeal™ or AcquaSeal™ acrylic sealer .

  • Keep in mind that EasySeal™, being solvent-based, generally enriches and darkens the stain color more than the water-based AcquaSeal™.

  • Satin finish will be less slippery.
  • Gloss finish will be more resistant (add Oxigrip™ into the final layer of sealer, to ensure slip resistance).

Additional Information

Warranty

Antiquing™ Stain , a proprietary product, is guaranteed to maintain uniform quality within the bounds of manufacturing tolerances. However, as we have no control over its application, no explicit or implied warranty is provided concerning theeffects of such use. In the event of a proven defect, our liability is strictly limited to refunding the purchase price of the defective material. The user is responsible for all other risks and liabilities that may arise from the use of this product. For any inquiries, please reach out to Direct Colors customer service.

Before You Checkout

EasyTint™ and OxiGrip™ are not compatible when used together directly. For slip resistance, use EasyTint™ as the color layer and apply OxiGrip™ only with a clear solvent based sealer as the topcoat.

Before You Checkout

AcquaTint™ and OxiGrip™ are not compatible when used together directly. If you need added slip resistance, apply AcquaTint™ as your color layer first, then use OxiGrip™ in a clear topcoat with AcquaSeal™ or HydroCryl™.