DIY Concrete stain

[HP942]

I’m looking to stain my workshop foundation. I have acid stained my home’s basement and garage floors…looks great, but don’t want to spend the $$ for that on a shed foundation wall. I have used a mixture of 50/50 of used motor oil and diesel on trailer decks for years and it works great. Anyone had an luck “intentionally” staining concrete with such a mixtue?

 

[paulsharvey]

I’m looking to stain my workshop foundation. I have acid stained my home’s basement and garage floors…looks great, but don’t want to spend the $$ for that on a shed foundation wall. I have used a mixture of 50/50 of used motor oil and diesel on trailer decks for years and it works great. Anyone had an luck “intentionally” staining concrete with such a mixtue?

Is this existing concrete or a planned pour? If not poured, there is any one of dozens of powder products that can either be added to the mix or broadcast on the surface after bull floating, but before toweling or brooming. It's not terribly expensive.

 

[HP942]

Is this existing concrete or a planned pour? If not poured, there is any one of dozens of powder products that can either be added to the mix or broadcast on the surface after bull floating, but before toweling or brooming. It's not terribly expensive. View attachment 821831

 

[HP942]

Existing concrete on my workshop.

 

[Tinhack]

I wouldn't use oil, new or used. The smell would be around forever. I have a few spills on my barn floor from rebuilding an engine 10 years ago and I still smell it when I go in there. The only thing that smells better is the cutting oil I use for my mill and lathe.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

Linseed oil and diesel.
Some old timers built hog barns the raw / new concrete would cause skin problems.
Environmentally friendly? probably not but for decades we used a 50/50 mix of diesel and linseed oil would stain the concrete and prevent irritation/damage to the skin of the pigs.

 

[joeyd]

There is water based concrete stain that you can roll on then when dry roll on a sealer. The big box stores sell it and I think it can be sprayed also. The water base product comes in a variety of colors per the Home Depot web site.

 

[EddieWalker]

I've had horrible luck staining concrete myself. It's probably because I didn't spend enough money on the really good stuff, or that I bought from Amazon based on the reviews instead of going to a commercial business. It always looks great when I do it, but then it either wears away quickly, fades quickly, or flakes off like it was painted on and not a stain at all.

 

[Tinhack]

I've had horrible luck staining concrete myself. It's probably because I didn't spend enough money on the really good stuff, or that I bought from Amazon based on the reviews instead of going to a commercial business. It always looks great when I do it, but then it either wears away quickly, fades quickly, or flakes off like it was painted on and not a stain at all.

You can order concrete with the color already in it. I think there's 20-30 colors available.

As far as staining concrete, you have to seal it after staining. And the stain pretty much stays near the surface so chipping or heavy traffic will wear it off. They make special sealers too.

 

[HP942]

Yes, I stained and sealed my basement and garage floors. I am wanting to stain the foundation wall and retaining walls on my shed….all vertical surfaces.

 

[etpm]

Speaking of staining concrete, is there a good way to age concrete? I really dislike the look of new concrete but love the look of old concrete.
Thanks,
Eric

 

[MotorSeven]

I've had horrible luck staining concrete myself. It's probably because I didn't spend enough money on the really good stuff, or that I bought from Amazon based on the reviews instead of going to a commercial business. It always looks great when I do it, but then it either wears away quickly, fades quickly, or flakes off like it was painted on and not a stain at all.

Old thread, but I just poured a 32x16 slab at the creek. Completely forgot that I could have had them add color to the 7.5 yard truckload.

So Eddie, which type of stain that you tried has failed? I was thinking using the acetone based stain.

 

[paulsharvey]

I'll bring this up, just because I was recently doing some reading on torch down thermo plastic stripping on concrete;
for some "stains" on concrete, moisture content in the concrete is a critical factor,
Some of the "stains" are really more of s surface paint, and if the moisture levels are too high, you have zero chance of good adhesion.

We did a charter school long ago, all floors where a teal, low VOX, concrete stain, and it had problems. My guess is moisture problems?

Point being, these are products where you really do need to read the manufacturers instructions. Some might Need a level of moisture, some might need a very low moisture, others might need a bonding agent, or an acid etch prior to applying

 

[Runner]

I accidentally got deck stain on a concrete slab and that stuff is pretty permanent. Has been there since 2013 and barely faded. Even if you had to re-do it every 15 years....