Wood Stain on Concrete (Ultimate Guide!)

Ever wondered how to revamp your drab concrete surfaces? Discover the magic of wood stain!

Is your concrete floor looking old and dirty?  Try this out with me. You will find a better solution with wood stains!

I was so interested in this topic when I was 15. I wanted to stain my room’s concrete floor. Accidentally, I used wood stains instead of concrete stains. But amazingly it worked for me.

Then I did a deep research on using wood stain on concrete. Here, I would like to share with you what I found during my study.

So, let’s find out, using wood stain on concrete,

To use wood stain on concrete, clean the surface thoroughly and patch any cracks. Dilute the wood stain in a 5-gallon water to 1 cup stain ratio, apply evenly using a paint roller or sprayer, and let it dry for about 5 hours. Seal the surface with a concrete sealer to finish.

But there’s a lot more to know.

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In this section, I wish to discuss important tips and steps that need to be followed when applying wood stains on concrete, the benefits of staining, and so on.

At the end, I will answer some frequently asked questions as well.

So, let’s jump in.

Can You Use Wood Stain on Concrete?

You can use wood stain on concrete, but you must first prepare and treat the concrete surface properly.

Sometimes you may have to apply a waterproofing agent on a concrete surface before applying wood stain. But that depends on where the concrete is situated.

Wood contains natural pores and cellulose fibers.

So, wood stains have been designed, as stains can penetrate the pores to enhance the beauty of the wood by improving the appearance of grain pattern and natural color of the wood.

But in the case of concrete, it is strong and durable and doesn’t consist of natural pores like wood, and wood stains can’t penetrate the concrete to finish as wood.

So, for a successful outcome with wood stain on concrete, some factors need to be considered. Let’s see what they are.

Factors to Consider When Using Wood Stain on Concrete

Now, let’s look at all the things you should consider before using wood stain on concrete for a promising outcome.

Nature of the Concrete

The concrete should be in good condition without any huge cracks, crevices, or damage.

If they present you need to repair them before applying the wood stain.

Porousness

The porosity of the concrete depends on the mixture and age of the concrete.

The concrete surface should be rough and porous in order to deeper penetration of the stain.

This can be tested by the water droplet method. Simply follow the following easy instructions,

• Sprinkle some water drops on the surface.
• Observe whether the droplets moisten the surface.

If the water bubbles immediately soak to the surface and moisten it, the concrete surface is porous enough to apply wood stain.

If the water droplet remains as it is, the surface isn’t porous enough to apply wood stain.

Then, you need to use the etching process to improve the penetration.

Compatibility with Wood Stain

Make sure that the chosen wood stain is suitable for use as the concrete stain. Because some are designed exclusively for wood.

Color and Finish

You need to choose the stain color and finish based on your design preferences and overall appearance. 

Remember that the final color may vary depending on the concrete quality and porosity.

Applying Method

The application method may differ with the type of wood stain that you are going to use. 

It can be a brush, roller, or a sprayer. Read and apply manufacturer procedures and approaches for the best outcomes.

Number of Coats

Applying multiple coats of wood stain rather than one coat may enhance the appearance of the concrete.

Sealing

After the stain has dried, apply a sealer to ensure the stain’s longevity and protection. Additionally, this will provide durability and resistance to moisture.

Best Wood Stains to Use for Concrete

Did you get stuck with finding the best wood stain for your concrete, out of various stain types at the market?

Don’t worry. Just keep reading. I will explain through my extensive research how to find the best quality wood stain.

There are different types of wood stains that you can choose from. They are oil-based stains, water-based stains, gel stains, lacquer stains, and varnish stains.

Oil-based Stain

Basically, oil-based stains contain natural oils like linseed and varnish combination. It can give a uniformly distributed smooth finish to the concrete. 

This can penetrate the surface to give durable and long-lasting ability. For better results, you can apply a finish over the oil stain.

Pros and Cons of Using Oil-Based Stain On Concrete

Pros	Cons
Provides a smooth, evenly spread finish	Mold can attack over time
Longevity of appearance	Slow drying time
Works better with a finisher

Water-Based Stain

The thinning agent in this case is water, which can be used with various colorful dyes to produce a variety of color options. 

Since water can’t penetrate the inside, reapplication is required regularly to prevent fading.

Water stains are less viscous and watery. So, you need to be diligent in order to get an even and smooth finish.

Pros and Cons of Using Water-Based Stain On Concrete

Pros	Cons
Environment friendly – contains low Volatile Organic compounds	Less durable
Quick drying ability

Gel Stains

This is a new innovation in the woodworking industry. Gel substances are the binding agent here.

So, due to the high viscosity of the gel, the surface penetration is constrained. Therefore, to get high durability you need to reapply the stain.

Pros and Cons of Using Gel Stain On Concrete

Pros	Cons
No drips or runs while applying	Takes a long time to dry
No need for extensive surface preparation	Difficult to spray due to high thickness

Lacquer Stain

If you intend to use lacquer stain, you must be a fast woodworker. 

Because this contains thinner which is a highly volatile compound, it tends to dry quickly and requires recoat within a very short period of time.

Pros and Cons of Using Lacquer Stain On Concrete

Pros	Cons
Excellent penetration	Can drop, bubble, and flow easily
Take a very short time to dry	Requires high-speed working

Varnish Stain

Varnish Stain contains oil as the primary thinning agent, and varnish is the binding agent. 

Due to the nature of the varnish stain, you need to apply multiple coats to get a uniform finish.

Pros and Cons of Using Varnish Stain On Concrete

Pros	Cons
High durability	Results bubbling while staining
Dry hard, protecting the wood	Fades over time
Easy to apply

How to Use Wood Stain on Concrete?

You can apply wood stain over concrete properly by using the right techniques.

Here are the steps you need to follow when using wood stains on concrete,

1. Gather all necessary tools and materials.
2. Prepare and clean the concrete surface
3. Check the porosity and etch (If necessary)
4. Prepare the wood stain
5. Apply a coat of wood stain
6. Seal the concrete surface

 So, let’s go through each of the above steps in detail and see how to use wood stain on concrete without messing things up.

1. Gather All the Necessary Tools and Materials.

Before starting the process, first you need to collect below supplies,

• Gloves and mask
• Stiff brush or broom
• A concrete patch
• Acid etching solution(If necessary)
• Paint thinner (If necessary)
• Wood stain
• A sealer or a protective coat
• Paint Brush/ roller or sprayer

2. Prepare and Clean the Concrete Surface

First, you need to remove any cracks, crevices, or damages on the surface by using a concrete patch to prevent over-saturation of stain at any point.

Then the surface needs to be cleaned thoroughly to remove any dirt, mud, or sticks. Use a stiff brush or broom for this and let it completely dry before processing.

3. Check the Porosity and Etch (If necessary)

Perform the water droplet method described above, to check the porosity. If the concrete isn’t porose enough to apply stain, you need to etch the concrete.

For this, use an acid etching solution and follow manufacturer instructions.

You know acids are hazardous chemicals!  Use safety gloves and masks when working with acids.

After treating it with acids, rinse the concrete thoroughly with water and then allow it to dry completely.

4. Prepare the Wood Stain

As for the wood stain, if you use a water-based stain, there is no need to do any process beforehand just mix well to ensure an even color distribution.

But, if you use an oil-based stain, mix it thoroughly with paint thinner.

I’ve personally tried both methods and the end result I got was amazing.

5. Apply a Coat of Wood Stain on the Concrete

Before applying the stain to the whole area, test a small area to see if the desired color and appearance are achieved.

The application method differs with the applicator you are using, your preference, and the size of the concrete area.

If you choose a sprayer, apply the stain up-down or side-to-side in the same movement pattern until the stain is fully coated.

 If you use a brush or a roller, apply from one end to the other end.

Let the wood stain spread and penetrate to the concrete surface for 4-5 hours and let it dry thoroughly.

Then, reapply multiple coats to enhance the appearance of the surface if necessary.

Read to learn how to fix wood stain mistakes that can happen during the application!

Plus, you can mix different colors of wood stains to get the perfect color you want.

6. Seal the Concrete Surface

Once you’ve done with coating, use an appropriate sealer to ensure protection and to enhance the appearance of the stained surface.

Apply a sealer by using a sprayer for even distribution and keep it dry for several hours.

Typically concrete sealers are either water-based or oil-based polyurethane. 

Polyurethane is a chemical that can be used as a strong sealer for concrete that has good adhesion and lasts a long time.

Benefits of Staining Concrete

During my research, I found several benefits of staining concrete. So, let’s have a peek!

Improved Aesthetics

Gray-colored plain concrete can be made more colorful by staining it according to your preferred design and complementing it with existing decorations.

Do you need to finish your concrete floor in a single hue that is equally distributed?  If yes, apply water-based stains.

Water-based stains do not react chemically with concrete, but instead penetrate the surface and make bonds with pores to gain color.

If you want to make the concrete floor a unique and eye-catching masterpiece, apply acid-based stain on the concrete.

A chain reaction occurs when contacting the acid-based stain with minerals in concrete, creating amazing colors and patterns

Increases Durability

Although by its own nature concrete is already durable, by staining it can be strengthened. 

Staining can extend the lifespan of the concrete by reducing cracks and crevices, as well as moisture ingress.

Furthermore, properly coated concrete is more resistant to mold and mildew formation and protects against temperature fluctuations and UV radiation making them more suitable for outdoor settings.

Cost Effectiveness

Staining concrete as needed is much cheaper than more expensive flooring solutions like tiling, applying natural stone, and so on, especially when updating regularly.

For example, you can use white stain to make your floor appear as white tiled; the next year, you can make your floor appear as blue tiled. 

What you have to do is simply remove the white stain and apply the blue stain with a design you want instead of wasting money on floor tiles.

Minimal Maintenance

Stained concrete surfaces are easy to clean by regular sweeping and mopping while keeping fresh.

No need to worry about frequent mold and mildew attacks.

Long Lasting

Concrete stains are UV and fade-resistant making them less susceptible to discoloration by sunlight.

Environmentally Friendly

Staining recyclable concrete is an eco-friendly alternative because it reduces waste. 

Not only that, water-based stains contain less volatile organic compounds (VOCs) unlike other commercially available options.

As an experienced woodworker, I was able to get most of the above benefits by applying wood stain on concrete and you can also try this out!

Can You Stain Sealed Concrete?

Yes. You can stain sealed concrete. However, I can’t recommend you use wood stains directly on sealed concrete surfaces.

Wood stains need to penetrate the surface and bond with pores to give the desired color.

Because there is a sealer on the top, it prevents any liquid from going inside even wood stains.

The wood stain can’t penetrate and the expected result and the color won’t come out. 

As a result, the stain will simply peel off when in contact with frequent furniture and foot traffic.

To stain on already sealed concrete either you need to remove all the sealer compounds from the surface or you can apply a thin layer of acrylic polymer-modified concrete on the surface.

Then it needs to be kept for 24 hours before applying a new wood stain.

Difference Between Wood Stains and Concrete Stains

Wood stains merely sit on the concrete surface whereas concrete stains penetrate the surface and become a part of the concrete.

There are two types of concrete stains, water-based and acid-based stains.

Water-based concrete stains act similarly to paints while acid-based stains chemically interact with the minerals in concrete to produce permanent color.

How to Remove Previous Stain from Sealed Concrete?

Before the process, you need to supply all the materials and need to take all the precautions to protect yourself from harmful chemicals. 

Supplies you will need,

• Wood bleach
• A brush
• Rubber gloves
• Protective goggles and face mask
• Water

Here’s the procedure for removing stain from sealed concrete,

1. Prepare the bleaching solution as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Apply over the surface by using a brush and leave for about 15 minutes.
3. Use high-pressure water to remove the acid.

Make sure to follow safety instructions during the project because harsh chemicals that are released from wood stains upon application can result in health issues.

How Long Must Concrete Cure Before Staining?

Cure concrete for at least one month before staining the surface because the curing process will take about 30 days to complete.

During this period all the excess water evaporates. Otherwise, the sealer or stain will not penetrate effectively and will flake off over time.

Hope you got everything you wanted to know about using wood stains on concrete. Good luck with your work!

That’s it folks! Now you know all about using wood stain on concrete with can you use wood stain on concrete and how to do that properly!

So, let’s answer some frequently asked questions.

FAQs

Did I cover all you wanted to know about: Using Wood Stain on Concrete

In this article, I’ve deeply explored whether can you use wood stain on concrete and how to use wood stain on concrete properly with what kind of benefits you might expect by doing this.

You can use any wood stains on concrete. But you need surface preparation of the concrete adequately and unless you seal it after drying it won’t last. Avoid direct application on sealed concrete, by the time it will be scrapped off. However, wood stains may not give the same color and appearance as it does with wood.

Furthermore, I’ve answered some frequently asked questions as well.

Hope you’ve learned everything you wanted to know about using wood stain on concrete in detail.

So, it’s time to read this article twice, thrice, and start your wood staining project on concrete to get the amazing results I did.