What does acid staining cost per square foot?

Acid stain runs $4–$9/sq ft in SoCal — basic single-color stain plus penetrating sealer at the floor of the range; multi-color overlay with topical polyaspartic sealer at the top. Pricing includes substrate prep (grind or shot-blast), stain application, neutralization, rinse and sealer. Larger residential and commercial projects drop closer to $4/sq ft.

How long does the install take?

Acid stain typically takes 3–4 days: prep + crack repair (Day 1), stain application (Day 2), neutralization + dry (Day 3), sealer (Day 4). Each stain reaction is allowed 4–24 hours to develop before neutralization. Walk-on resumes 24 hours after sealer.

Will acid stain work on every concrete slab?

No — acid stain reacts with the calcium and mineral content of the slab. Old, hard-troweled or slick slabs may react weakly. New slabs need 28+ days of cure before reaction. Slabs previously sealed, painted or coated must be ground back to bare concrete first. We always run a test patch in a hidden corner before committing to an estimate.

Can acid stain match a specific color?

Imperfectly. Acid stain palette is constrained by the metallic-salt chemistry — earth tones, amber, copper, terracotta, sea-foam, black. Bright primary colors (true blue, true red, true green) are not achievable with acid stain. For brand colors or specific design matches, concrete dye delivers better predictability and wider palette.

Is acid-stained concrete slippery?

Sealed acid stain sits at wet DCOF 0.42–0.55 (ANSI A326.3) depending on sealer. Penetrating silicate sealers leave a more matte, slightly more grippy surface than topical urethane or polyaspartic. We add a ceramic-bead additive into topical sealers for high-traffic or wet areas to keep wet DCOF above 0.55.

How long does acid stain last?

The color is permanent — it is part of the concrete itself, not a film on top. The sealer wears (5–10 year cycle for topical, 10–15 for penetrating silicate) and must be refreshed periodically. Refresh is fast: clean, recoat sealer at one to two coats. The stain underneath stays. Floors stained 30 years ago still hold their color today.

Acid-stained concrete floor with translucent amber variegation

· Service · 09 / 15

Reactive chemistry. Permanent variegation.

Acid staining is a reactive coloring process in which metallic-salt chemistry penetrates concrete and reacts with calcium hydroxide to form permanent translucent variegated coloration. No two floors are alike — the result depends on the chemistry of the slab itself, the stain reaction, and how it is sealed.

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20+

Years installing

2,400+

Floors completed

5.0 ★

Google rating

10–15 Yr

Written warranty

— TL;DR

The five-second answer.

—Reactive metallic-salt chemistry penetrates concrete permanently.
—Translucent, variegated color — every floor is unique.
—Requires neutralization and sealer after stain.
—Cost: $4–$9/sq ft installed.

— Definition

What is Acid Staining?

Acid staining uses dilute mineral acids carrying metallic salts (iron, copper, manganese chlorides) that react chemically with the calcium hydroxide and lime present in cured concrete. The reaction deposits insoluble metal oxides into the top millimeter of the slab, producing translucent variegated coloration that cannot be peeled, chipped or worn off — it is part of the concrete itself. Color intensity and pattern depend on the slab's mineral content, age, finish and water content during reaction. After stain, the surface is neutralized with ammonia or baking-soda solution to stop the reaction, rinsed clean, and sealed with either a penetrating silicate (matte, breathable) or topical urethane/polyaspartic (visible film, higher gloss). Common palette: amber, copper, terracotta, sea-foam, English red, black.

System specification.

The numbers we'll write into your job file before any product is opened.

Process: Acid + metallic-salt application · neutralization · sealer
Mil thickness: Penetrates top 1 mm — no film build
Color depth: Translucent variegated, slab-dependent
Standard palette: Amber · copper · terracotta · sea-foam · English red · black
Sealer options: Penetrating silicate · topical urethane · polyaspartic
Slip rating (ANSI A326.3 wet DCOF): 0.42–0.55 sealed (varies by sealer)
VOC content: Sealer-dependent — penetrating <100 g/L · topical varies
Lifespan: Color is permanent (slab-life) · sealer 5–10 yr
Warranty: 10-year color stability

Best for.

Where this system outperforms the alternatives. Linked to detailed application pages.

Residential Interiors Restaurant & Hospitality Patios & Outdoor Living Retail Showrooms

Our install process.

Documented, photographed and signed off step-by-step. Prep is 70% of lifespan.

01
Substrate evaluation
Slab age, finish, contamination and prior sealers reviewed. Test stain at hidden corner if substrate history is uncertain — staining results vary widely with substrate.
02
Crack and spall repair
Polyurea crack fill and polymer-modified mortar at spalls — repaired BEFORE stain so the patches accept color (or are masked if intentional contrast).
03
Mechanical clean
Diamond grind or shot-blast to remove sealers, contamination and surface laitance. Acid stain will not react through coatings or curing compounds.
04
Pre-stain wash
Slab pressure-washed and dried to consistent moisture content for even reaction.
05
Acid stain application
Metallic-salt chemistry sprayed or hand-brushed onto slab. Reaction begins immediately; color develops over 4–24 hours.
06
Neutralization
Ammonia or baking-soda solution flooded over reacted surface to halt further chemistry. Required for sealer adhesion.
07
Rinse & dry
Pressure-rinse to neutral pH, dry to consistent moisture. Residue from un-reacted salts removed.
08
Sealer application
Penetrating silicate (matte, breathable) or topical urethane/polyaspartic (gloss, water-resistant) selected based on use and aesthetic.
09
Maintenance plan
pH-neutral cleaner schedule, sealer recoat interval (5–10 yr) and burnishing schedule documented.

— Finish options

Color, texture, depth.

Standard reactive palette includes English red, terracotta, amber, malayan buff, copper, sea-foam, bayou, charcoal black. Two-color overlay possible — primary stain plus accent on raised pattern. No two slabs respond identically; sample patches required before commitment.

[REPLACE: swatch grid — actual finish samples on concrete coupons]

Acid stain vs. concrete dye.

A practical head-to-head — what each system does well, and where the line is.

Recommended

Acid Stain

—Translucent variegated, slab-reactive
—Permanent — chemistry is in the slab
—Limited palette (amber, copper, English red, etc.)
—$4–$9/sq ft

Alternative

Concrete Dye

—Saturated uniform color
—Wider palette including blues / greens
—Sits in slab pores, less variegation
—$3–$7/sq ft

Verdict: Acid stain wins for old-world, translucent, character-driven floors where uniqueness is the point. Dye wins for uniform color, wider palette and predictable result — especially when a specific brand color or design reference must be hit precisely.

— Frequently asked

Specifics matter.

What does acid staining cost per square foot?: Acid stain runs $4–$9/sq ft in SoCal — basic single-color stain plus penetrating sealer at the floor of the range; multi-color overlay with topical polyaspartic sealer at the top. Pricing includes substrate prep (grind or shot-blast), stain application, neutralization, rinse and sealer. Larger residential and commercial projects drop closer to $4/sq ft.
How long does the install take?: Acid stain typically takes 3–4 days: prep + crack repair (Day 1), stain application (Day 2), neutralization + dry (Day 3), sealer (Day 4). Each stain reaction is allowed 4–24 hours to develop before neutralization. Walk-on resumes 24 hours after sealer.
Will acid stain work on every concrete slab?: No — acid stain reacts with the calcium and mineral content of the slab. Old, hard-troweled or slick slabs may react weakly. New slabs need 28+ days of cure before reaction. Slabs previously sealed, painted or coated must be ground back to bare concrete first. We always run a test patch in a hidden corner before committing to an estimate.
Can acid stain match a specific color?: Imperfectly. Acid stain palette is constrained by the metallic-salt chemistry — earth tones, amber, copper, terracotta, sea-foam, black. Bright primary colors (true blue, true red, true green) are not achievable with acid stain. For brand colors or specific design matches, concrete dye delivers better predictability and wider palette.
Is acid-stained concrete slippery?: Sealed acid stain sits at wet DCOF 0.42–0.55 (ANSI A326.3) depending on sealer. Penetrating silicate sealers leave a more matte, slightly more grippy surface than topical urethane or polyaspartic. We add a ceramic-bead additive into topical sealers for high-traffic or wet areas to keep wet DCOF above 0.55.
How long does acid stain last?: The color is permanent — it is part of the concrete itself, not a film on top. The sealer wears (5–10 year cycle for topical, 10–15 for penetrating silicate) and must be refreshed periodically. Refresh is fast: clean, recoat sealer at one to two coats. The stain underneath stays. Floors stained 30 years ago still hold their color today.

— Sources & standards

Specifications referenced.

Last updated: April 2026

— Related services

— Related applications

— Pillar guides

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