Categories: Decorating & Design

How to Stain Concrete to Look like Terra Cotta

Concrete is an awesome surface to stain to look like Terra Cotta. Following these steps you can learn how to stain concrete and transform it into a whole new terra cotta color for a warm and inviting look.

Try this process outside on a plain concrete patio slab to create the custom look of warm and inviting terra cotta.

You can use this process of how to stain concrete to transform a plain back porch, the driveway, or even a basement floor to mimic durable terra cotta!

To Stain Concrete to Look like Terra Cotta You Will Need:

Weathered Terra Cotta Concrete Stain

Respirator
Non-residue cleaner
Pressure washer
Muriatic acid
Plastic gloves
Plastic watering can
Roller brush
broom
Concrete stains
Rubber soled shoes
Safety goggles

T get started staining your concrete to look like terra cotta, no mater what surface it is, you need to make sure it is clean. This is where the stiff bristled brush comes into play. First sweep the concrete and remove large debris. Now, take the stiff bristled brush and scrub off any random debris or dirt that is keeping the surface from being clean and smooth.

You need to clean dirt, oil, or anything that would keep the stain from soaking in.

Next, you will be handing acid, so wear those rubber gloves and rubber soled boots. It is also a very good idea to rent a respirator to wear, even if you are outside. DO NOT SKIP this!

In a plastic bucket you need to mix your water and acid. This is mixture should be in a 4 to 1 ration. Water is four parts, acid is 1 part. I like to do this in a plastic watering can.

Now, use your hose to wet down the surface of the concrete you will be staining to look like terra cotta. Use the watering garden can to sprinkle the acid mixture on the cement.

Cove the concrete surface evenly and let the acid rest for 30 minutes.

Use your old broom and the hose to spray off the acid after 30 minutes. Your concrete has to dry now. This will vary depending on where you live, but you have to wait for the concrete to dry to stain it to look like terra cotta.

Once the concrete has dried you can start to apply the concrete terra cotta stain. Try using a color like Weathered Terra Cotta from a company like Concrete Resurfacing Inc. They have the perfect warm terra cotta concrete stain.

To cover large areas I recommend using a rolling paint brush. Follow any mixing direction on your particular brand of terra cotta concrete stain.

Let each coat of concrete stain dry between coats, then apply more as desired.

To get custom terra cotta stained concrete try mixing together two stains. You can also alternate colors as you apply layers.

Be sure to check the weather channel to make sure you will have dry conditions. If it is raining the terra cotta stain will be undoable to dry and may appear blotchy.