Antiquing™ 2-Step Stain System

The Antiquing™ 2-Step Stamped Concrete Stain System is a complete stamped concrete stain kit that includes 1 gallon of Antiquing™ Stain in your color choice and 1 gallon of matched concrete sealer. Together, these cover approximately 200 square feet of standard stamped concrete — enough for most residential stamped patios, large walkways, pool surrounds, or sections of larger projects.

This is the most popular way to buy Antiquing™ because the sealer is required, not optional. Antiquing™ is a topical stain — the pigment sits on the surface of the concrete and is bonded in place by the sealer applied as the second step. Without sealer, the pigment will wash off with the first rain or wear away with foot traffic. The 2-Step System ensures you have matched quantities of stain and sealer in one shipment, with no guesswork about which sealer to pair with the stain or how much you need.

Coverage: approximately 200 square feet of standard stamped concrete. For larger projects, see the Antiquing™ 2-Step Professional System (5 gallons / 1,000 sq ft).

Why "2-Step" Matters: Sealer Is Required

The Antiquing™ pigment sits on the surface of your stamped concrete. Until you apply sealer, that pigment is not yet bonded to the concrete — it will wash away with the first rain, wear off with foot traffic, or be tracked away on shoes and pet feet. The sealer applied as the second step is what creates the permanent bond between the pigment and the concrete surface.

This is why Antiquing™ is built around a 2-step process. Skipping the sealer doesn't save you money — it ruins the project. The 2-Step System makes sure you have the right sealer, in the right quantity, paired to the stain, in one order.

Why Buy a Stamped Concrete Stain Kit Instead of Individual Products

Matched quantities — One gallon of Antiquing™ covers 200 sq ft. One gallon of sealer covers the same 200 sq ft. Buy them separately and you'll either over-buy or run out mid-project.

The right sealer paired with Antiquing™ — Direct Colors has tested every Antiquing™ color with the right sealer to ensure consistent, professional results. The 2-Step System ships you the validated sealer pairing — no guessing.

One order, one shipment — Stained stamped concrete is a sequential process. Getting both products in one shipment means you can plan your project window without waiting on backordered components.

Save vs. buying individually — The 2-Step System is priced lower than buying 1 gallon of stain and 1 gallon of sealer separately.

What This System Does Not Include

The 2-Step Stain System is does not include surface prep, application tools, or safety equipment. If you don't already have sprayers, brushes, ProClean Degreaser, or PPE on hand, the Antiquing™ 2-Step Application System bundles all of those tools with the same chemicals at a small upcharge.

⚠ Test Colors First

Direct Colors strongly recommends ordering the Antiquing™ 2-Step Trial System before buying a full-size kit. Stamp pattern depth, surface texture, and any existing color all affect how Antiquing™ looks on your specific surface. Testing 3 colors first costs a fraction of a full-size kit and gives you confidence that the color you order is the color you'll get.

How to Use the 2-Step Stamped Concrete Stain System

1. Clean the surface. Clean stamped concrete thoroughly with ProClean Degreaser™ (sold separately) to remove dirt, oils, and contamination. Rinse and dry completely. If your concrete is currently sealed, painted, or coated, use Destiny™ Stripper first to remove the existing coating.
2. Apply Antiquing™ Stain with a plastic pump sprayer in manageable sections. Use a soft-bristle brush or roller to push the stain into the stamp pattern texture, helping the pigment flow into the low points.
3. Allow the stain to dry for at least 8 hours. This is critical — the solvent carrier needs time to fully evaporate (off-gas) before sealer is applied. Skipping this step or shortening the dry time will cause sealer bonding problems or turn the sealer cloudy white. In cool or humid weather, allow longer than 8 hours. The surface should feel completely dry to the touch with no solvent smell remaining before you proceed.
4. Apply the included sealer with a separate sprayer (never reuse a sprayer that held stain). The sealer bonds the Antiquing™ pigment to the concrete and protects the surface.
5. Optional: Add OxiGrip™ slip-resistant additive to the sealer for pool decks and other high-traffic or slip-prone areas.

Direct Colors: Made in the USA Since 1997

Direct Colors has manufactured professional-grade stamped concrete stain kits in the USA for over 25 years. The Antiquing™ 2-Step System uses the same Antiquing™ formulation and sealers that contractors specify on commercial stamped concrete projects.

* Customers can choose between a satin or gloss finish for the EasySeal™ sealer to tailor the final look to their preference.