FREE Shipping on Orders Over $399
Product Search

$69.95

  • Made for concrete pavers
  • Revives faded patio and driveway pavers
  • Traffic-tough color once sealed
Due to hazmat regulations, this product cannot be shipped via air

    How much do I need to stain my concrete?

    It will depend on the square footage of your application.

    The coverage rate is 200 square feet per gallon (2 coats) depending on concrete porosity. Two or more coats are required.

    Your answer will appear here.

    Choose Quantity:


    Product Tabs

    Product Details

    PaveWave™ Water‑Based Paver Stain is a semi‑transparent, topical colorant developed specifically for concrete pavers and other rough, porous hardscapes. Using the natural porosity of pavers and their ability to absorb moisture, PaveWave™ infuses the surface with micronized pigments at a high pigment concentration, creating richer color saturation with fewer coats and without altering the underlying texture. The eco‑friendly, zero‑VOC formula allows you to revitalize faded patios, walkways, driveways and pool decks with vibrant, variegated tones while maintaining control over color depth and placement. Although highly pigmented, this water‑based stain remains easy to apply using a pump sprayer or roller and must be sealed once dry to lock in the color. Designed for exterior use, PaveWave™ integrates seamlessly with new or existing pavers. Its advanced polymer modification and high‑quality pigments ensure durability and consistent color even on high‑traffic surfaces.

    PaveWave™ Stain MUST be sealed.

    Quick Facts

    Application Tools: Best applied using a pump sprayer (filter removed) or ⅜” nap roller.
    Location: Specifically formulated for exterior paver surfaces such as patios, walkways, driveways and pool decks
    Dry Time: Requires 4 - 12 hours drying before sealer application.
    Cleanup: Use ProClean Degreaser™ and warm water.
    Coverage: Approximately 200 sq ft (18.6 m²) per gallon on average; actual coverage varies with paver porosity and texture
    Recommended Sealers: Compatible with AcquaSeal™ Water-based Acrylic Sealer or EasySeal™ Solvent-based Acrylic Sealer.
    Application Temperature: Best between 60°F-95°F (15°C-35°C).
    Recommended Uses: Ideal for revitalizing concrete pavers on patios, driveways, pool surrounds, garden paths and other exterior hardscapes.
    Important Note: PaveWave™ must be sealed to protect the pigment; do not allow the product to freeze during storage

    Special Offers

    PaveWave™ Paver Stain & Seal Bundle

    A package including one gallon of PaveWave™ Paver Stain and one gallon of sealer, ideal for small to medium projects.

    PaveWave™ Paver Stain Complete DIY Kit

    This comprehensive kit is perfect for DIY enthusiasts, containing protective gear, cleaning supplies, a gallon of stain, application tools, and sealer.

    PaveWave™ Paver Stain Mega Bundle

    A bulk deal offering five gallons of PaveWave™ Paver Stain and five gallons of sealer, suitable for large-scale projects or professional use.

    PaveWave™ Paver Stain Trial Kit

    A sampler kit that includes three 4-ounce color choices, a 4-ounce satin or gloss sealer, and foam applicators, perfect for testing colors and finishes.

    FAQ

    Click/Tap each question to hide/show the answers.

    How does Portico concrete stain work?

    Portico Paver Stain is formulated using pigments. When sprayed onto a concrete surface, the liquid remains wet for an extended period, allowing pigments to travel and nest into the surface. Since paver stain is a pigment-based colorant, the pigments require sealing to hold them in place.

    Where can I apply Portico Paver Stain?

    Portico Paver Stain is typically intended for outdoor surfaces like concrete pavers. In most cases, Portico can also be applied to brushed concrete, extremely porous, or weathered and degraded surfaces due to its heavier pigmentation. 
    If your concrete surface or pavers aren't very porous, you might consider using Antiquing Stain. Uncertain about how porous the surface is? Consider an Antiquing Stain Trial Kit or Portico Paver Stain Trial Kit to confirm results before purchasing for your entire project.

    I’ve just applied Portico stain to my concrete and after it dried, it barely has any color. What happened?

    The good news is that concrete pigments don't disappear! Assuming your concrete surface is in relatively decent condition and isn't extremely deteriorated, the pigments you sprayed down are still in place. Once Portico is sprayed on the surface and dries for several hours, the dried pigment only appears faded. 

    When you apply the recommended two thin coats of concrete sealer, the color will “pop” to life, transforming your space! Be mindful of a decision you'll need to make between solvent-based or water-based sealers. While both are great options, the difference is that solvent-based sealers will “pop” color much more intensely than water-based sealers. Water-based sealers will tend to soften in color as they cure.

    Why didn’t Portico work on my concrete?

    It would be unusual if Portico Paver Stain didn't color your pavers or concrete surface successfully. Remember, this product is made of pigment, and pigments don't disappear! If Portico didn't add any color to your concrete, it could potentially be one of two issues: 
    1. The pigments became trapped or blocked in the sprayer. This can make it seem as if you sprayed liquid with no color. Make sure that you have removed all of the filters on the stain sprayer and that the O-rings are seated correctly in the sprayer head. 
    2. The concrete that you're applying Portico to is too damaged. When concrete has significantly deteriorated, the pigments will fall deeper into the concrete surface - causing the color to diminish. This is not a sign of a faulty product, but unfortunately, you may have selected the wrong product for your particular project.

    How much surface preparation is required before applying Portico Paver Stain?

    Surface preparation is often the most critical factor in any successful decorative concrete project. In order to achieve the best results, the concrete surface should be free of cure and seal, sealer, paint, dirt, grime, and grease. If the concrete was previously stained and the original sealer has worn away, go ahead and apply Portico over that previous stain. What you would particularly want to avoid is applying Portico over a previously sealed surface. This could cause the still intact sealer to repel the new stain you’ve applied. 
    Scrub the surface using ProClean Degreaser, rinse thoroughly, and allow to dry before applying Portico.

    What should I use to apply Portico stain?

    The best application tool is a pump up sprayer for fences and decks. When using a sprayer to apply Portico, don't forget to remove any filters. These are normally found at the top or bottom of the straw in the canister. If the filter isn't removed, you would only spray the clear liquid onto your surface - the filter would prevent the pigment from being sprayed out. 
    For closer applications or a slightly different look, use a sponge or foam brush.

    Can I use multiple paver stain colors, and can they be mixed?

    We strongly advise against mixing one Portico stain with another. Instead, consider layering separate colors on top of one another to achieve your desired look. We recommend starting with your lightest color of Portico and then building up to a darker color.

    What’s the difference between Antiquing Stain and Portico Paver Stain?

    Time to settle any confusion once and for all! While these two outdoor concrete stains are quite similar, Antiquing Stain is intended for textured and stamped concrete and Portico stain is intended for flatter, more porous surfaces such as concrete pavers.

    I purchased the amount of product your concrete stain calculator recommended based on my square footage, and still needed more. What happened?

    Depending on your concrete surface and chosen application methods, coverage rates can vary. We follow industry standards of approximately 200 square feet per gallon, which commonly applies to lower viscosity products like colorants and concrete sealers.
    First, it's always good to double-check your calculation of square footage. From there, a few variables come into play. How porous, weathered, or worn is your concrete? How heavily are you applying the product? On smoother, less porous concrete, you may find you're getting a bit more coverage than anticipated. For stamped, textured, or more weathered, porous concrete, you may get a bit less coverage. These variables aren't calculation errors, but more of a common indefinite. When in doubt, follow the general construction rule of rounding up for your supply needs.

    How-To Guide

    Preliminary Testing

    Before using the product for your entire project, try it out on a small, hidden area of the surface you'll be working on. This will let you see how it looks and if it's the right fit for your project.

    Pre-Application

    Sound: Surface must be dry, structurally sound, and free of dirt or other materials.

    Profiled: Conduct an absorption test to determine if the concrete is ready for staining. Pour water onto the surface and wait 3-5 minutes. If the water is not absorbed, clean and etch the surface using CitrusEtch™ to open the pores of the concrete. Refer to the CitrusEtch™ Technical Data Sheet for detailed instructions. If the water is absorbed, the surface is ready for PaveWave™ Water-Based Paver Stain application.

    Clean: Thoroughly clean the surface to remove dust, dirt, oil, grease, paint, glue, sealers, curing agents, stamp tool releases, efflorescence, chemical contaminants, rust, algae, mildew, and other foreign matters that may interfere with the proper application of the stain.

    Note on Porous Surfaces: Poorly finished, broomed, or very old surfaces may absorb PaveWave™more deeply, leading to less visible color.

    Temperature: Apply PaveWave™in temperatures between 60°F (15°C) to 95°F (35°C).

    Application

    1. Mixing: Thoroughly mix PaveWave™ before application. For consistent color, combine contents from different jugs.

    2. Work Area Planning: Divide the work area into manageable sections. Use natural breaks like walls and joints to your advantage. Be mindful of maintaining wet edges to reduce the appearance of overlap marks.

    3. Preparation: Remove all filters from the pump-up sprayer hose to prevent clogging.

    Hand showing filter removal from a pump-up sprayer
    Removing the filter from a pump-up sprayer to prevent clogging.

    4. Application Steps: Apply the product evenly. If spraying, use a circular overlapping motion. Use spiked shoes if you need to walk on the stained area. Start and stop the sprayer off the work area or into a bucket to prevent drips.

    Basic Application: Apply 2 coats for a single color application to ensure even coverage and depth of color. Up to 4 coats can be applied for greater intensity and depth.

    Combining Colors for Effects:

    Drying Time Considerations: For a mottled design, proceed with subsequent coats without waiting. For a layered marbled design, allow each coat, especially the base color coat, to dry fully before applying the next to create distinct layers.

    Limitations

    • Batch Variability: The supply of specialized pigments may vary between batches. To ensure color consistency, use the same batch for the entire job or mix multiple batches together (“boxing”).
    • Surface Characteristics: PaveWave™ Water-Based Paver Stain does not conceal discolorations, blemishes, cracks, or irregularities. It dries lighter than its wet appearance.
    • Sealant Requirement: PaveWave™ is not a sealant. A sealer is required for color enhancement.
    • Surface Compatibility: On hard-troweled surfaces, or surfaces where pores are smaller than the PaveWave™ particles, there's a risk of the stain drying on the surface without proper adhesion. Account for this during surface preparation.
    • Durability with Sealer: If a sealer is removed, PaveWave™ will also come off as it bonds with the sealer.
    • Color Accuracy: While efforts are made to accurately represent colors in product literature, photos, and sample color chips, the actual color achieved on concrete can significantly differ. This discrepancy stems from the stain's translucent nature, allowing the color of the concrete base to affect the final shade.

    Slip Resistance

    PaveWave™ does not affect slip resistance, which is determined by the chosen sealer. For enhanced slip-resistance on exterior surfaces, add OxiGrip™ to the sealer.

    Sealing

    Sealing is an essential step after applying PaveWave™ Water-Based Paver Stain. The stain itself penetrates the pores of the surface but does not form a permanent bond, meaning it can largely be washed off if not sealed. Without a protective sealant layer, the stain will not adhere effectively to the surface. Before proceeding with sealing, it's important to let PaveWave™ dry for approximately 4-12 hours, with the drying time varying based on the surrounding environmental conditions.

    • Choose between EasySeal™ Satin or AcquaSeal™ Satin. Both provide a satin finish that is less slippery compared to their gloss counterparts.
    • Keep in mind that EasySeal™, being solvent-based, generally enriches and darkens the stain color more than the water-based AcquaSeal™.
    • Gloss Finish Consideration: If using gloss finish sealers, which can make surfaces more slippery, consider adding OxiGrip™ slip-resistant additive to the second coat for enhanced safety.
    • If you choose to use EasySeal™ indoors, ensure there is sufficient ventilation to maintain good air quality.


    Coverage

    Estimated coverage is around 200 square feet per gallon, varying with surface conditions and application methods.

    Clean-Up

    Product Clean-Up
    PaveWave™ Water-Based Paver Stain ProClean Degreaser™ and warm water
    AcquaSeal™ Water-based Sealer ProClean Degreaser™ and warm water
    EasySeal™ Solvent-based Sealer Xylene

    Disposal

    Dispose of unused product according to local environmental or hazardous waste regulations.

    Shelf Life and Storage

    Use PaveWave™ Water-Based Paver Stain within one year of purchase and store it in a cool, indoor location away from sunlight and heat.

    Maintenance

    • Regularly inspect exterior sealed surfaces for wear and reapply sealer as needed.
    • For interior surfaces, monitor and maintain wax coatings or polish, especially in high-traffic areas.

    Complementary Products

    ProClean Degreaser™ Concrete cleaner & degreaser
    EasySeal™ Solvent-based acrylic sealer
    AcquaSeal™ Water-based acrylic sealer
    OxiGrip™ Slip-resistant sealer additive

    Safety & Precautions

    CAUTION: Avoid contact with eyes and skin. Do not breathe vapors. Do not take internally. In case of eye contact, flush thoroughly with water. In case of skin contact, flush thoroughly with water. If swallowed, do not induce vomiting. Call physician immediately. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

    Warranty

    PaveWave™ is guaranteed for uniform quality within manufacturing tolerances. No warranty is provided for its application effects. Liability for defects is limited to refunding the purchase price. Users bear all other risks and liabilities. For inquiries, contact Direct Colors customer service.

    Color Chart

    PaveWave Water Based Paver Stain Color Chart

    PDF Downloads

    Customer Reviews:

    Loading Reviews...

    x

    Shipping Estimate

    Enter Shipping Address

    We ship to United States, Canada and Puerto Rico

    Estimate Shipping Address Entry

    • 2 Letter Code Only
    • Address Type

    Estimate Shipping Submit Address