Historically when it came to staining concrete, there were acid stains and “other stains”. Reactive acid stains had been used on concrete for decades and really took over the market when it came to coloring concrete. With new chemistry and technology emerging and as the concrete stain industry grew, new products have been formulated and developed to compete with acid stains. These new products are water-based instead of acid-based and come in an assortment of colors. They are UV stable which means they can be used indoors and outdoors. Water-based stains are made up of water, water-based resins and paint-grade resins to allow for excellent penetration into concrete.
Differences between acid stains, water-based stains and solid color stains
Acid Stains: Most acid stains are a mixture of water, hydrochloric acid, and acid-soluble metallic salts. They work by chemically reacting with calcium hydroxide after penetrating the surface. The acid in the stain lightly etches the surface, allowing the metallic salts to penetrate more easily. Once the stain reacts, it becomes a permanent part of the concrete and won’t fade, chip off, or peel away. Acid stains leave a mottled surface appearance. They are available in select earth tone colors but can be mixed for additional color options.
Water-Based Stains: A new-generation of stain which blend pigments and acrylic polymers to penetrate concrete producing a translucent color. The main difference between water-based stains and acid stains is that no chemical reaction occurs with water-based stains, so the color is more consistent. Water based stains are available in a large selection of colors in comparison to traditional earth tone colors of acid stains. One of the biggest draws to using a water-based stain in replacement of an acid stain is safety. Water-based stains are low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and safer to apply because they are free of solvents and acids. Water-based stains are much easier to work with, and do not need to be neutralized after application. Water-based stains can save time and labor while achieving the same look and appearance as an acid stain.
Solid Color Stains: Solid color concrete stains are similar in viscosity and composition to paint; however, they have been optimized and formulated to be more durable to be able to withstand heavy traffic, abrasions and weathering such as freeze-thaw cycling, deicing salt exposure and UV radiation. Although solid color concrete stains are not as durable as epoxy coatings and urethane coatings, they require less surface preparation, maintenance and can be used on exterior concrete. Some of the major draws to solid color concrete stains is that they are easy to use, water-based with low odor and they can hide old staining or concrete imperfections.
Water-based stains and acid stains are intended to enhance rather than disguise the surface. They will not hide cracks, blemishes, or other flaws. Nor will they completely mask an underlying color or conceal the texture of the surface. A solid color stain on the other hand can hide imperfections such as staining, color and texture.
Why should you choose a solid color concrete stain:
- If you are looking to completely change the color or look of existing concrete or cover and fix old, ugly concrete.
- To hide existing imperfections and stains, such as rust and oil, to create an even appearance.
- Add definition and depth to stamped concrete or to renew, enhance textures, or fix badly installed stamped concrete.
- To waterproof concrete while also protecting concrete from deicing salts and freeze-thaw damage.
How to apply a solid color concrete stain:
- Make sure the concrete is clean, dry and free of all previous stains or sealers. If the concrete was previously sealed make sure you strip, etch or grind off the previous sealer.
- If the concrete is porous or broom finished it is best to use a primer or a bonding agent to increase adhesion of the solid color concrete stain to the surface.
- Apply within the application temperature and weather parameters.
- If multiple gallons are being used, make sure to batch (mix) all units together to ensure uniform color. This can be done in a 5-gallon pail.
- Apply a coat of solid color concrete stain using a ¼”- 3/8” nap roller. Back roll and cross-hatch for complete and even coverage. Since concrete varies in texture and porosity, two coats may be required for a uniform color appearance.
- Optionally use an enhancer to highlight textures of stamped concrete.
- Use a topcoat sealer for added longevity and UV protection.
Popular Solid Color Concrete Stain Products:
One of the most popular solid color stains on the market is Behr’s Solid Color Concrete Stain. Behr claims their product is, “A durable solid color stain designed to help protect and enhance both exterior and interior, vertical and horizontal concrete surfaces. This Siliconized 100% Acrylic formula is designed to provide a long-lasting durable finish.”
One of the many pros to Behr Solid Color Concrete Stain is its availability. Behr is a popular brand sold exclusively through The Home Depot. If you want to stain your concrete today you can literally walk into any Home Depot store, pick a gallon of Behr off the shelf and begin your project. But just because a product is readily available does not mean it is the best product for you to use. According to many customer reviews the product seems less durable than claimed, with a major complaint being how easily the product scratches and scuffs. Behr does offer a 1-year warranty to furnish an equivalent amount of new product or a refund of the original purchase. Although they do not disclose longevity of their product, it seems the product is intended to last less than one year.
Pro-Fusion 1505 Solid Color Concrete Stain Review
We recently came across a newer solid color concrete stain system: the Pro-Fusion 1505 – part of the Ghostshield brand. Ghostshield claims their product is, “A pigmented, water-based, non-yellowing stain system designed for unsealed concrete, masonry and pavers. Infused with nano-sized color particles, the 1505 concrete stain system will provide a much stronger bond than typical polymer stains. It penetrates deeper and self-crosslinks to promote outstanding adhesion.”
Since we always test out new products when they become available, we decided to try out the Pro-Fusion 1505. The Pro-Fusion 1505 solid color concrete stain is available in six color options. The Pro-Fusion 1505 enhancer designed for stamped concrete is available in three color options. After going through the entire recommended application process this is what we found.
The Pro-Fusion 1505 is considered a solid color concrete stain system. What this means is everything you need to successfully stain your concrete and have it last for many years is included in the system. However, you do not need to purchase all the items in the system. We purchased the Pro-Fusion 1505 primer, Pro-Fusion 1505 solid color stain in Tan, and the Cryli-Tek 5500 as the topcoat sealer. A topcoat sealer is required after applying the Pro-Fusion 1505. We did not purchase the enhancer as it is only recommended for stamped concrete. We were also informed that you can use the Pro-Fusion 1505 primer as the topcoat sealer, but we decided to go all out for the sake of this review.
Before the concrete stains arrived, we prepped a broom finished concrete patio. It had been previously stained with the Behr Solid Color Concrete Stain and then sealed with a solvent-based acrylic sealer. We made sure to strip it, pressure wash it and let it completely dry out. There were some old rust stains that were not removed and had always bled through the previous stain, so we were interested in seeing if the Pro-Fusion 1505 concrete stain was able to conceal them.
Once the products arrived, we chose a sunny day with the temperature around 70 degrees with low humidity to begin priming. We decided to use the primer because the broom finished concrete patio was older and very porous. The primer is not necessary for every application. If we were applying this system to stamped concrete, we would not have used the primer and would have just gone right to applying the solid color stain. We applied the primer with an 18” – 3/8” nap paint roller. We made sure we rolled in the same direction and let it dry for 24 hours before applying the solid color stain. We applied the stain as we applied the primer, with an 18” – 3/8” nap paint roller. We rolled one coat onto the concrete and after letting it dry, we applied a second coat. The two coats completely covered the old rust stain – you couldn’t even tell it had ever been there.
The old broom finished concrete patio now looked like a newly painted patio. The tan color left the patio looking like new concrete. The next day we applied the Cryli-Tek 5500 as the topcoat sealer. The Cryli-Tek 5500 is a low gloss, water-based, wet look acrylic sealer so it really gave the stain a nice durable finish.
We applied this system and it has held up great to foot traffic, BBQ grilling and salt water from a saltwater pool. We have not experienced any spalling or cracking from the salt water. If food spills on the patio, it is easily wiped away and grease from the grill hoses off nicely.
All in all, the Pro-Fusion 1505 was very easy to use. It may seem intimidating with all the different system options but for most people the solid color concrete stain and a topcoat sealer is all you will need. We were amazed that the stain was able to hide old rust stains. This is something that the Behr product had been unable to do in the past. Since Ghostshield is known for professional grade products we would recommend the Pro-Fusion 1505 over the Behr Solid Color Stain. After talking with the manufacturer, the Pro-Fusion 1505 had been under development and testing for over five years before it was made available to the public. As with all Ghostshield products the Pro-Fusion 1505 was tested in the field by their certified applicators, installers and contractors. We were given a list of Pro-Fusion 1505 project references to ensure that the product has been used in the field and is long lasting. What makes the Pro-Fusion 1505 unique is the Ghostshield nanotechnology. Infused with nano-sized color particles, the 1505 concrete stain system will provide a much stronger bond than typical polymer stains. It penetrates deeper and self-crosslinks to promote outstanding adhesion. Overall this leads to a longer lifespan.
The Pro-Fusion 1505 is currently available direct through the manufacturer, Amazon or Lowes. Although it is more expensive than the Behr Solid Color Concrete Stain, you do not need to be stripping, staining and resealing every year. It is a worthwhile investment for solid color stain protection.
