EverStain™ Acid Stain
EverStain™ Acid Stain
- Permanent color through chemical reaction — EverStain reacts with the minerals in your concrete to create marbled, translucent color that's part of the slab itself. Won't chip, peel, or fade.
- 10 professional colors for interior and exterior concrete — Floors, patios, driveways, pool decks, countertops, and garage floors. Each application is one-of-a-kind.
- Coverage: 200 sq ft per gallon — Sold by the gallon. For complete kits with matched sealer and neutralizer, see the EverStain 3-Step Systems.
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.
Concrete Stain Calculator
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Product Details
Product Details
EverStain™ Acid Stain is a professional-grade concrete acid stain that creates permanent, variegated color through a chemical reaction with the cement minerals in your concrete. Unlike paints, dyes, or topical stains that sit on the surface, EverStain reacts with the concrete itself — producing rich, marbled, translucent color that becomes part of the slab and can never chip, peel, flake, or wear off.
Every concrete acid stain application is one-of-a-kind. Because EverStain reacts with the unique mineral content of each individual concrete surface, no two floors look exactly alike. The result is the deep, organic, variegated look that makes acid-stained concrete the gold standard for decorative concrete floors, patios, countertops, and architectural surfaces.
Why Acid Stain Concrete Instead of Paint or Dye
Concrete acid stain produces results that no paint, dye, or topical stain can replicate:
- Permanent color through chemical reaction — EverStain reacts with calcium hydroxide in the cement to form insoluble metallic oxides locked into the concrete matrix. The color is part of the concrete itself.
- Variegated, translucent, marbled finish — Acid stain reveals the natural character of the concrete underneath. Highs, lows, trowel marks, and surface variation become part of the finished look.
- Cannot chip, peel, or flake — Because the color is chemical, not topical, there's nothing to delaminate. Acid-stained concrete looks better with age and wear.
- Translucent — works with existing concrete — EverStain enhances and colors existing concrete rather than covering it. You see the soul of the slab through the color.
- Decades of proven performance — Acid staining has been the professional standard for decorative concrete since the early 1900s. It's the technique architects, designers, and high-end builders specify when they want a finish that lasts.
Sealer Required: Why EverStain Needs a Concrete Sealer
Every concrete acid stain — including EverStain — must be sealed after application. Here's why this matters:
While the EverStain reaction creates color that's chemically permanent and locked into the concrete, the color appears faint, dusty, and washed-out until it's sealed. The sealer is what makes acid-stained concrete "pop" — it deepens the color, brings out the marbled variegation, and reveals the rich, saturated tones the reaction has created underneath. Without sealer, you get a fraction of the visual impact your acid stain is capable of producing.
Sealer also protects the concrete surface from staining, water damage, abrasion, and UV exposure. For interior floors, a sealer-and-wax finish creates a low-maintenance surface that handles foot traffic, spills, and cleaning for years. For exterior patios, sealing locks in color saturation and protects against weathering.
This is why Direct Colors sells EverStain in 3-Step Systems that pair the acid stain with the right sealer and ProClean™ Neutralizer in matched quantities. If you're not sure which sealer to choose for your project, the system bundles take the guesswork out — see the EverStain™ 3-Step Acid Stain System for the complete kit.
What EverStain Acid Stain Is Used For
Interior concrete floors — Living rooms, kitchens, basements, sunrooms, retail spaces, restaurants, and commercial flooring where customers want the warmth of natural concrete with permanent color. Acid-stained interior floors are a standout look that costs less than tile, hardwood, or polished concrete and lasts longer than any of them.
Exterior concrete patios — Backyard patios, courtyards, outdoor entertaining areas, and garden hardscape. EverStain handles weather, freeze-thaw, and UV exposure when properly sealed.
Concrete driveways and walkways — Curb appeal that lasts. An acid-stained concrete driveway is a permanent upgrade that survives years of weather and tire wear.
Pool decks — Cool, slip-resistant (when sealed with OxiGrip™ additive), and beautiful. Pool deck acid staining is one of the most popular high-end backyard upgrades.
Concrete countertops — Acid stain on concrete countertops creates a one-of-a-kind kitchen or bath surface. EverStain works on cast and cast-in-place concrete countertops.
Garage floors — A stained and sealed garage floor handles oil, gas, dirt, and tire traffic far better than paint or epoxy and won't peel under hot tires.
Vertical surfaces — Stained concrete walls, fireplace surrounds, and architectural features. (For vertical applications, DecoGel™ Acid Stain is the gel-formula version designed to stay put on walls without dripping.)
For best results, always test EverStain on an inconspicuous area or sample piece of concrete from your specific slab before committing to a full application. The EverStain™ 3-Step Trial System is the most reliable way to test colors before you buy a full gallon.
How to Acid Stain Concrete with EverStain
Acid staining concrete is a 3-step process: prep, stain, and seal. The full process is documented in the Direct Colors Acid Stain How-To Guide, but here's the overview:
- Surface prep — Clean and degrease the concrete with ProClean Degreaser™. For sealed or contaminated concrete, use CitrusEtch™ to open the pores so the acid stain can react.
- Apply EverStain Acid Stain — Spray on with a plastic pump sprayer. Work the stain into the surface with a soft-bristle brush for even coverage. Allow the chemical reaction to develop (usually 4–24 hours depending on temperature and humidity).
- Neutralize the reaction — Use ProClean Neutralizer™ to stop the acid reaction and prepare the surface for sealing. Rinse thoroughly.
- Seal the concrete — Apply your chosen concrete sealer to lock in the color and protect the surface. The sealer is what makes the color "pop" — without it, the stain looks dull and dusty.
- Optional final coat — For interior floors, finish with ProWax Polish™ for a low-maintenance, high-traffic finish.
EverStain Coverage and Sizing
EverStain Acid Stain is sold by the gallon and covers approximately 150–200 square feet per gallon, depending on concrete porosity and desired color depth. For most projects, plan on one gallon per 200 sq ft of standard interior or exterior concrete.
For larger projects, EverStain is also sold in 5-gallon containers as part of the EverStain™ 3-Step Professional System, which covers 1,000 sq ft and includes matched quantities of sealer and ProClean Neutralizer.
Specifications
Specifications
| Application Tools | Best applied using an all-plastic pump sprayer, brush, sponge or foam applicator. |
|---|---|
| Location | Suitable for both interior and exterior surfaces. |
| Reaction Time | Requires 5 - 12 hours. |
| Cleanup | Use ProClean Neutralizer™ |
| Coverage | Approximately 200 sq. ft. per gallon, variable with surface conditions. |
| Recommended Sealers | Compatible with AcquaSeal™ Water-based Acrylic Sealer or EasySeal™ Solvent-based Acrylic Sealer. |
| Application Temperature | Best between 40°F–95°F (4°C–35°C). |
| Recommended Uses | Ideal for concrete floors, walls, countertops, and various architectural elements. |
Reaction Times
Reaction Times
| EverStain™ Color | Minimum Reaction Time | Maximum Reaction Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avocado | 4–6 hours | 12 hours | Bluish green with brown accents. |
| Azure Blue | 4–6 hours | 12 hours | Medium blue final color. |
| Black | 4–6 hours | 12 hours | Leave up to 12 hours for the darkest blackish result. |
| Coffee Brown | 4–6 hours | 12 hours | Develops into a medium to dark brown. |
| Cola | 4–6 hours | 12 hours | Reddish brown with warm orange tones. |
| Desert Amber | 8 hours | 12 hours | Needs a longer minimum reaction time than most colors. |
| English Red | 4–6 hours | 12 hours | Reddish brown final color. |
| Malayan Buff | 8 hours | 12 hours | Needs a longer minimum reaction time than most colors. |
| Seagrass | 4–6 hours | 12 hours | Sea foam with dark brown accents. |
| Shifting Sand | 4–6 hours | 12 hours | Olive green with reddish brown accents. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve just applied acid stain to my concrete and after it dried, it barely has any color. What happened?
I’ve just applied acid stain to my concrete and after it dried, it barely has any color. What happened?
This is one of the most common questions we receive, and we totally understand where you’re coming from! Not only have you put in the work to prepare for concrete stain, but you’ve also applied the acid stain, neutralized, and scrubbed the remaining residue. It looked great initially, but then you watched the color fade as the concrete dried. Not to worry; the color is still there, and you’ll see it return when you begin the sealing process. Concrete sealer causes the color to pop more intensely. 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 EverStain™ work on my concrete?
Why didn’t EverStain™ work on my concrete?
This can sometimes happen. Please take a look at the FAQ “How does EverStain™ work?”. It’s an important part of understanding why it maybe didn’t go as planned. Most concrete ready-mix plants use varied mix designs while “batching” concrete. Many have adopted the use of fly ash as a replacement for a percentage of Portland cement. Fly ash will not react with acid stain, and since it’s lighter than Portland when the surface is being finished or troweled, a higher percentage of the fly ash floats to the surface, diminishing the effects of EverStain™. This is not representative of the quality of acid stain but rather the proper quality of concrete for acid staining. If the fly ash dosage exceeds 10%, you may be having difficulty getting EverStain™ to work as intended. Consider aggressively sanding the surface to remove a micro-layer made of predominantly fly ash. This will help expose the richer mineral content and may potentially react more robustly with EverStain™.
How much surface preparation is required before applying EverStain™ Acid Stain?
How much surface preparation is required before applying EverStain™ Acid Stain?
Surface preparation is often the most critical factor in any successful decorative concrete project. The concrete surface MUST be free of cure and seal, sealer, paint, dirt, grime, and grease. Once the surface is nice and clean, make sure it has enough porosity for the stain to penetrate the surface. If the concrete is too smooth (slick) and the acid stain isn’t able to penetrate, you’ll get a diminished color return. Trust us - it’s totally worth it to put in the extra time to set yourself up for a successful and long-lasting project!
I purchased the amount of product your concrete stain calculator recommended based on my square footage, and still needed more. What happened?
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.
What happens if you stain concrete before it cures?
What happens if you stain concrete before it cures?
Any stain applied to concrete before it has fully cured for at least 28 days is likely to experience unintended color effects. Think about it - acid stain is a water-based liquid containing reactive minerals. When it seeps into the pores of the concrete, a chemical reaction occurs between the acid stain and the available lime on the surface. If the concrete hasn’t fully cured, the concrete will evaporate more water into the stain while it reacts - so the color will either look watered down or not take hold at all!
Do I have to let my concrete surface dry after cleaning, prior to applying acid stain?
Do I have to let my concrete surface dry after cleaning, prior to applying acid stain?
There’s no need to let it dry, as concrete can be damp before applying stain. However, you should not have any puddles of water present before staining, as the water will dilute the acid stain.
I have a new concrete/new pavers. I want to change the gray to match some existing concrete/pavers I have nearby. Can I use EverStain™ Acid Stain for this project?
I have a new concrete/new pavers. I want to change the gray to match some existing concrete/pavers I have nearby. Can I use EverStain™ Acid Stain for this project?
An acid stain trial kit is a great way to see if EverStain™ is right for your particular project.
Can you put acid stain over concrete sealer?
Can you put acid stain over concrete sealer?
No, the acid stain needs to be in direct contact with concrete without any sealers to prevent a reaction.
Can I put tinted sealer over acid stain to darken the color?
Can I put tinted sealer over acid stain to darken the color?
Yes, tinted sealer provides a translucent color of your choice that allows the undertones and variations to show through while subtly influencing the color in your desired direction.
Do I wait for my first coat of acid stain to dry before applying the second coat/color?
Do I wait for my first coat of acid stain to dry before applying the second coat/color?
It is not necessary to wait for the first coat to dry. However, if you are looking for a stark separation in color, particularly when using two colors, you might consider applying the second color after the initial color application has dried. Keep in mind as you plan your stain work, darker colors will override lighter colors.
Can I dilute the acid stain with water?
Can I dilute the acid stain with water?
Yes, EverStain™ may be diluted with water to achieve a lighter shade in color. We don’t recommend diluting our acid stain more than four-parts water to one-part stain without performing an initial dilution test.
How to Apply EverStain™
Explore our full range of EverStain™ Acid Stain concrete colors and find the perfect tone for your project.
- Preparation
- Application
- Drying Times & Protection
- Maintenance & Safety
Product Videos
EverStain™ Acid Stain
Explore the complete EverStain™ Acid Stain palette and discover the perfect shade for your concrete project.
- 10 reactive acid stain colors for natural concrete variation
- Translucent marbled finish creates rich dimensional results
- Suitable for interior & exterior concrete surfaces
- Designed for decorative and architectural concrete applications
Technical Data Sheets
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