ColorWave® 2-Step Concrete Stain System

The ColorWave® 2-Step Concrete Stain System is a complete concrete stain kit that includes 1 gallon of ColorWave® Stain in your color choice and 1 gallon of matched concrete sealer in the finish you choose. Together, these cover approximately 200 square feet of standard concrete — enough for most residential floors, patios, walkways, garage floors, or sections of larger projects.

This is the most popular way to buy ColorWave® because the sealer is part of the system, not an afterthought. ColorWave® is a water-based, penetrating stain — nano-sized pigment particles soak into the concrete’s pore structure to color it from within. The sealer applied as the second step is what protects that color and brings it to full richness. 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 concrete. For larger projects, see the ColorWave® 2-Step Professional System (5 gallons / 1,000 sq ft).

Why “2-Step” Matters: Color Goes In, Sealer Locks It In

ColorWave®'s nano-pigment penetrates the surface to give you deep, saturated color — but color alone isn’t a finished floor. Concrete is porous. Left unsealed, a stained surface has no defense against water, dirt, oil, foot traffic, or UV: the color looks flat, picks up stains, wears unevenly at high-traffic points, and can dust or rub off at the surface.

The sealer applied as the second step is what turns colored concrete into a finished, durable surface. It locks in and deepens the color, adds the sheen you choose (satin or gloss), and creates the wearable, cleanable, weather-resistant top layer that makes the project last. That’s why ColorWave® is built as a 2-step process — and why the 2-Step System ships the right sealer, in the right quantity, matched to your stain, in one order.

Why Buy a Concrete Stain Kit Instead of Individual Products

Matched quantities — One gallon of ColorWave® 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, matched to ColorWave® — Direct Colors has tested ColorWave® with each of its sealers to ensure consistent, professional results. The 2-Step System ships the validated stain-and-sealer pairing in the finish you selected — no guessing.

One order, one shipment — Staining concrete is a sequential process. Getting both products in one shipment means you can plan your project window without waiting on a separately ordered sealer.

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 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 ColorWave® 2-Step Application System bundles all of those tools with the same stain and sealer at a small upcharge.

⚠ Test Colors First

Direct Colors strongly recommends ordering the ColorWave® 2-Step Trial System before buying a full-size kit. Concrete porosity, age, surface finish, and any existing color all affect how ColorWave® absorbs and looks on your specific slab — especially for layered or multi-color effects. Testing your 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 Concrete Stain System

Clean the surface. Clean the concrete thoroughly with ProClean Degreaser™ (sold separately) to remove dirt, oils, and contamination. Rinse and let dry. If your concrete is currently sealed, painted, or coated, use Destiny™ Stripper first — ColorWave® has to reach bare, porous concrete to penetrate.

Apply ColorWave® Stain with a plastic pump sprayer in manageable sections. Work the stain with a brush, roller, or sponge to move color into the surface and build the look you want. Because ColorWave® is water-based, you can layer additional coats for deeper color or mist and blend for marbled, multi-tone effects.

Let the stain dry completely before sealing. The water carrier needs to evaporate fully so the sealer bonds correctly. Sealing over damp stain can trap moisture and turn the sealer cloudy or white. Dry time depends on temperature and humidity — allow longer in cool or humid conditions. The surface should look and feel completely dry before you proceed.

Apply the sealer you selected with a separate, clean sprayer (never reuse a sprayer that held stain). The sealer bonds to the stained concrete, locks in the color, and protects the surface in the finish — satin or gloss — you chose.

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 concrete stains and sealers in the USA for over 25 years. The ColorWave® 2-Step System uses the same ColorWave® formulation and sealers that contractors specify on commercial floors and decorative concrete projects.

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