If you want to color stain the concrete on your garage floor, then you need to beware of making this unfortunate mistake. Stain is a garage flooring option that has been getting more popular lately and for good reason. However, it has also caught the attention of some paint companies. They have found a way to profit from this trend by deceptively marketing products as a concrete stain to the unsuspecting consumer.
We initially became aware of this issue a couple of years ago. A reader had contacted us asking how to fix the colored concrete stain on his garage floor. It was peeling up in places and revealing the bare concrete underneath. We thought he had mistakenly used the word “stain” when he really meant to say “paint”.
After sending us a link to what he had applied, it was indeed a product that was labeled as a concrete stain.
As it turns out, it was Behr Premium Solid Color Concrete Stain. They also have a Semi-Transparent Concrete Stain that creates a more translucent look. This DIY concrete stain in a can immediately made us suspicious.
Sure enough, after looking into the technical data sheets for this product we were not surprised.
What was being marketed as a concrete stain, was actually a water-based, low solids acrylic coating that was tinted.
If you view one of Behr’s videos for application, they even refer to it as paint and state; “Premature heavy traffic will cause paint failure and require spot recoating”.
Stain is not a coating, it is not a paint, and it does not peel. As it turns out, Behr is not the only company that is cashing in on this deception.
As a result, in the past two years, we have seen a large increase in the number of questions and problems that readers have encountered with these so-called “stains”.
What concrete stain is and what it isn’t
Concrete stains will permanently stain bare concrete with color to create a decorative appearance. They either chemically react with the concrete to permanently change the color at the surface or they will deposit colored pigments deep into the pores of the concrete that cannot be removed.
Depending on the type of stain used, they will create varying degrees of a variegated and translucent look that is rarely solid in color. With the exception of acid stains, most water-based and solvent-based concrete stains come in a concentrate and require that you add the water or solvent to mix them before application.
Stains are non-film forming. They do not seal the concrete nor do they protect it. They just color it and require that a clear coating be applied. The coating is what protects and seals the concrete. It also makes the colors “pop” with brilliance to create the rich look that they are known for.
Decorative concrete stains cannot peel or delaminate since they physically change the appearance of the concrete surface. You would need to grind the surface of the concrete to remove them.
As a result, the only part of a stained concrete garage floor that could possibly peel is the clear sealer that is applied over the concrete to protect it. Our article on garage floor stains and dyes explains in deeper detail how stains work and how to protect them.
Stains are not a colored coating or paint. If the concrete stain product you are interested in is labeled as a sealer or creates a film-forming coating, then it is not a stain.
If the product offers various tints, then it is not a stain. Tints are a colorant for coatings and paint.
Many of these paint manufacturers are using a very low solids acrylic coating that is tinted with color and then call it a stain. Most require that you prep the concrete first by etching. They also state that you can use them over painted surfaces. If any of these are the case, then it is not a true stain.
If the product does not require an additional application of a sealer and only requires that you roll it on or use a pump-up sprayer to complete the application, then it is not a concrete stain. Do not confuse the issue if they say you can apply an optional glossy clear coat or matte clear coat over it.
If it’s not a true concrete stain, why do they call it such?
The simple reason that they do this is because they can. Our guess is that with the potential profits that can be made for marketing such a DIY product with the word “stain”, company lawyers can successfully argue about the meaning of the language used and its intent. It would most likely require the threat of a class-action lawsuit to bring about a change of the wording.
This is somewhat similar to how the large confusion over garage floor paint and garage floor coatings by consumers came about. Because many consumers were unwittingly referring to a garage floor coating as painting a garage floor, the large paint and coating companies started marketing epoxy coatings as epoxy paint and latex acrylic concrete paint as 1-part epoxy paint and etc.
This confusion over epoxy, paint, and coatings alone is one of the reasons we started All Garage Floors to begin with.
In this case, however, these companies seem to be purposely marketing acrylic coatings as stains in hopes of capturing the growing crowd of consumers that want to stain their concrete and garage floors.
They lure the unsuspecting consumer into a relatively inexpensive product called “stain”, which can easily be applied without the additional requirements of a clear coat.
Behr is not the only company doing this. H&C Concrete, Kilz Floor Coatings, and even Rust-Oleum are some of the examples that we are aware of.
Are these so-called concrete and garage floor stains a bad product?
You may begin to get the impression that we think these are bad products. Not necessarily. What they are is misleading. They give concrete staining a bad image. When people are looking to stain their garage floor, they are not looking for an acrylic coating that is poor performing in a garage environment.
We do admit that these tinted acrylic coatings that are sold as concrete stain do have a place in the DIY market. They can actually be a good choice for walkways, patios, masonry walls, and other interior concrete surfaces that only see foot traffic. They look nice and can perform well in most cases when used for the appropriate application
However, water-based acrylics are not the best choice for a garage floor or even a driveway for that matter. It’s the primary reason why we get emails from readers asking what to do about their new concrete stain that is deteriorating or peeling up where the tires of their vehicles rest.
So, beware of any easy to apply DIY concrete garage floor stain product that comes in a can. Pay close attention to the data sheets and call the manufacturer if you have questions. Chances are if you suspect that it’s not a stain, it most likely is not.
jerry a tweedy says
I want to stain my garage floor and driveway so how do I get a true stain ?
Shea says
Hi Jerry. We have an article here about staining concrete as well as an article here about a recent DIY garage floor stain. Each explains the process of what is required for a true stain.
ruby timmons says
Well, saw your info a day too late. Bought the Behr ” concrete stain” and knew when I put it on I had been taken. Well guess I am in for a redo in a few months.
Cindy Wal says
Me too, this happened to me too. I prepped and sprayed my whole garage with the Behr concrete stain. It looks terrible and I’m researching to find out why. Now I find out it’s not a real stain, I’m so pissed.
Tanya Stinson says
Thank you so much! I came here while researching concrete stains. I was going to go with Behr but I could not understand why they said anything about it peeling since stain won’t peel. You saved me $$, effort, and disappointment.
Shea says
Glad we could help, Tanya. We created this article when we started getting emails from our readers asking why their stain was peeling.
Gordon says
Hi, I’m curious if H & C Infusion is this type of fake stain? I bought some Valspar semi-transparent stain that I tested and it didn’t absorb at all… thankfully I only tested in tiny area. Looking to replace that with the infusion.
Shea says
Hi Gordon. The H & C Infusion Series is an actual stain. It does not seal nor coat the concrete. That is why H & C states that a clear water-based or solvent-based coating can be applied over it to protect it. Be aware that they do recommend that you etch the concrete first in order for it to penetrate effectively.
Randi says
Unfortunately, we had contractors use the Behr concrete stain and it is peeling all over our house. We have an area of bare concrete that is 5×7 in our living room. Our contractors said they would put tile over it but we would have to buy the materials. Is it worth it to reach out to Behr? This is such bologna. Anyone want to start a class action lawsuit with me?
Shea says
Hi Randi. Behr might refund money spend on their product, but that is it. These large companies can get away with using terms loosely. It’s how they turn a profit with easy to apply DIY products that don’t perform well. Your contractor should have known better if they are the ones that recommended it. Do not put any tile over the Behr product. You will need to remove it to expose the bare concrete or the tile will lift as the the Behr fake stain / tinted acrylic coating does.
Randi says
Thank you for this reply and for this insight. I have gotten confirmation from Behr they will refund our product cost. Would the stain need to be removed to lay life proof vinyl plank flooring? This is beyond helpful; I am very appreciative.
Shea says
Free floating flooring (Life Proof should be) can lay right on top with no other prep required unless you have any high or low spots to address. Flooring that needs to be adhered via glue or thinset will require removal of the the Behr stain first.
Randi says
Thank you so much for your time! God Bless!
Me says
So we bought the Valspar concrete stain semi-transparent and the sealer it has been down for a week and already peeling! What do you recommend for us to use. Do we sand the floors again? I need help please
Shea says
Hello Me. What was applied is technically a thin, tinted acrylic coating. You need to remove it via chemical stripping or grinding to expose the bare concrete. Once you do that, you can then use a real concrete stain and then seal it properly with a clear coat.
Byrd says
What is the best sealer to apply over Valspar Semi Transparent Concrete “stain” ? Our new home has a gym room that prior owner applied the Valspar Semi transparent product (which I know is an acrylic resin and not a true concrete stain) but he did not seal it. So the only coat this floor has received is the Valspar Semi Transparent Concrete Stain.
I’ve researched the Polyurea products but not sure it will react well. – i.e. – might bubble significantly.
I’ve also researched the solvent based acrylic sealers like Armor AR350 Acrylic concrete sealer. Just not sure what to do here.
Shea says
Hi Byrd. The Semi Transparent Concrete Stain is a film forming coating. This means that it seals the concrete (true stains do not seal – they just stain). If you are looking for a more glossy clear coat, then you can apply a water-based acrylic clear coat. Valspar Wet Look Sealer is an example. Anything solvent based can cause the colored coating to bleed when it is applied.
Lisa Grady says
So I am going w SW Treadplex because of this article. BUT if I wanted a mottled vs a solid effect would the Behr concrete stain (sprayed on) stick to the Treadplex if I wanted that mottled look?
Shea says
Hi Lisa. Sherwin-Williams TreadPlex is a solid color acrylic coating for concrete. It does fine for foot traffic, but it should not be used for a garage. I’m not sure of your intended purpose. No, you will not achieve a mottled effect by spraying the Behr coating over it. A mottled look is only achieved when using a true stain applied to bare concrete. The density and porosity of the concrete determine how a stain reacts and creates the mottled effect. Each concrete slab will have a different look with the same stain. Coatings like the ones you mention do not do this. I suggest reading our article about stains to get a better idea of how they work.
Tom Coons says
How do you touch up these peeled up spots
Shea says
Hi Tom. Clean the area. Once dry, wipe it down with denatured alcohol (or equivalent) and then reapply it. Because it’s an acrylic stain, it should blend somewhat well.
Becky says
I had a new concrete patio installed and right when they finished it started to rain so they hastily covered it with plastic. They left air pockets and now I have yellow lines all over because of it. If I use a transparent stain the lines would just be more noticeable. I was going to use the behr solid stain, then found this article. Do you have a suggestion on what I can cover this with that will not show the hideous lines all over it, that will last??
😊
Shea says
Hi Becky. That’s unfortunate. Plastic prevents the rainwater from softening the surface of the curing concrete. However, it can create a greenhouse-like effect. Escaping water vapor under the plastic can collect and run to prominent ridges that are touching the concrete and cause discoloration. Have you done anything yet to clean the surface? What was your original decorative plan for the concrete?
Becky says
I haven’t done anything to it at all yet, it won’t be fully cured for 10 more days. My original plan was to stain it a tan color and then seal it, but from what I read it would show right through.
Shea says
Hi Becky. Technically, it won’t be fully cured for months. 30 days is the minimum amount of time you need to wait before applying most sealers and coatings. Once your 30 days are up, we would recommend cleaning the surface first with a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water. This creates an approximate 3% acetic acid solution (very mild) that does a good job of removing some of the cosmetic discolorations that can occur during the curing process. Wet the surface first. Apply the white vinegar solution and then scrub. Work in sections and don’t let the concrete dry until you fully rinse each section. This may help to reduce or even eliminate the yellow lines. True concrete stains create a translucent and mottled look that highlights all the small imperfections and irregularities on the concrete surface. This is what provides the character that people are looking for with a stain. Hopefully, the cleaning will reduce the lines and add character.
If the lines still draw more attention than you want, then a solid color solution would be your only option after that. The “Fake Stain” products we highlight above do OK for foot traffic only. They are designed for walkways, patios, etc., and not for a garage floor. If you elect to go that route, we would recommend a much more durable vesion. Legacy Industrial sells an MMA acrylic coating that is much more durable than the water-based acrylics used for the stains. It’s strong enough to use for vehicle traffic. They have an additive called Color Bomb that gives the coating a solid color. You can find it here. Click on the Color Bomb additive to see the tan color they offer.
Becky says
Thanks so much! I have a high pressure power washer and a surface cleaner attachment I will have to use for scrubbing. I’m disabled so can’t manually scrub it. The guy who poured had the audacity to accuse me of pouring something on it. Apparently he isn’t very good and doesn’t know what the plastic can do! It is a patio so there will only be foot traffic. I was looking at etched staining and wondered if that would camouflage some of the lines and make them blend in more or make it worse. That seems like a pretty simple process and I have everything to do it, except the etched stain of course. What are your thoughts?
Shea says
Hi Becky. Don’t use the pressure washer for the first rinse of the vinegar solution. It will drive the solution deeper into the concrete where it may remain active (not good). Rinse first with heavy water using a standard nozzle on a garden hose. After that, you can rinse once more with the pressure washer.
The stain may or may not help to camouflage the lines. It all depends on how much they fade and the stain colors used. The look of acid stain is hard to control because it reacts with the free lime and other minerals present in the concrete. When a sealer is applied, it’s going to make the stain color/s pop as well as other imperfections and colors. What the concrete looks like wet is similar to what it will be like with a clear sealer on it.
Meg says
Hello!
Random question you may have insight to! I’m looking to stain my exterior brick (not the mother). Would the H&C Colortop concrete stain work for something like this?
I appreciate your input!
Shea says
Hi Meg. Just so that you are aware, H&C ColorTop Stain does not permanently stain concrete and masonry. It’s a thin acrylic sealer. Think of it as translucent tinted paint. If it peels, it will expose the brick color.
Aleda Vogel says
My husband & I thought we were getting an actual stain as recommended by Sherman Williams (H&C Exterior ColorTop Solvent-Based Solid Color Concrete Sealer 250) this is an oil based product which is also very slippery (they added sharkgrip to the “stain” but we still found the patio still slippery when wet, to our 3,000 s/f pool & patio area, within 6 months of the application it began to peel & chip everywhere. We have met with the SW store & regional managers because of this issue and they are actually going to pay for a contractor to grind the stain/sealer off, prep the concrete to recieve another stain. SW is now recommending H&C ColorTop Interior/Exterior Water Based Solid Color Concrete Stain. The manager gave me the spec sheets on this product and it sounds like its what we want an actual stain something that will penetrate the concrete but, we are unsure this product is what they say “a fake stain”. What are your thoughts? And if this is not the right product for our application do you have any recommendations?
Shea says
Hi Aleda. No, the H&C ColorTop is not a true stain. If you look at the data sheets here, it clearly states in the application section that it is a coating. This product, like others, is a water-based acrylic coating heavily tinted with colored pigments. I suggest you read our article on acid stained and color dyed floors. It explains exactly what a true stain is and the steps required to apply them.