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Artistry in Concrete: Stencil Techniques for Captivating Designs

By Justin Richardson

From Plain to Patterned: A front porch’s journey through a creative makeover, where meticulous stenciling turns bland concrete into a stunning tapestry of designs a Pebble Patio Stencil, making a statement entrance.

A three-stage transformation of a front porch: starting with plain concrete, progressing through the stenciling process with a woman applying designs, and ending with a fully stenciled surface featuring intricate patterns
Transformation of a front porch: starting with plain concrete, progressing through the stenciling process, and ending with a fully stenciled surface featuring intricate patterns

Project Info:

  • Project Completed In: 4 day(s)
  • Estimate of Square Footage: 650 sq. ft.
  •  Project Description:
    We had such a great experience with your products–we were feeling so disappointed when the concrete company poured the new section of our patio and it was so mismatched! We just didn’t know what we were going to do. Luckily I spent some time on line looking for a solution and came across Direct Colors!!  Then the process began with your great idea of having a little sampling package to see if it would look like we wanted it to with your stains, etc. Direct Colors products were the answer to our dilemma and it really looks great! We get constant compliments from friends, family and neighbors. Also, your customer service was a great help. Most times you’re just ‘on your own’ trying to figure things out. It was great having some guidance with our product purchases. All in all, this was a good home-owner experience! Thank you all again!
  • Personal Tips:
    We’d advise that you do not put on the sealer in weather that is in the high 80’s or more. Unfortunately, it got into the 90’s when we were at the end of our second coat of sealing and the next day we noticed some bubbling in a couple of areas. We were able to fix them when it got cooler.
  • Direct Colors Products Used:
    Antiquing™ Trial Kit ( Charcoal, Light Charcoal & Silver Gray)
    5 Gal. Gray Antiquing™ & EasySeal™ Gloss Kit
  • Other Products Used:
    Pebble Patio Stencil
    White acrylic paint
ProClean Degreaser
ProClean Degreaser™
Spiked Shoes for Staining Concrete Floors
Spiked Shoes
Charcoal Antiquing Swatch
Antiquing™ Charcoal
EasySeal Gloss
EasySeal™ Gloss

See how a customer turned a cracked patio into a beautiful space with a faux flagstone design and black EverStain™ acid stain. A simple tape and stain approach made all the difference!

Image showing a porch with sections taped off, preparing for the application of the faux flagstone design using acid stains
Preparing the Porch: Taped off areas for the faux flagstone design
"Close-up image of the completed faux flagstone porch, showcasing the detailed color variations and patterns achieved with acid staining
Close-Up Charm: Detailed view of the finished faux flagstone porch

Project Info:

  • Project Completed In: 20 days (weather)
  • Estimate of Square Footage: 300 sq. ft.
  • Project Description:
    Porch built ~3 years back and could never decide between lumber flooring or $$ pouring slab until I got referred to a concrete worker with a reasonable estimate who assured me of a ‘slick’ finished floor (I know, when wet, etc. but I wanted a smooth finish. He hand troweled the final pass) . Once the floor was poured internet searches for ideas led to this page https://directcolors.com/diy/concrete-patio-ideas/
    The faux flagstone got me. Never the artistic type ever, I had to try this. Little over a month cure time, taped it off…Coffee Brown walk way, English Red border, Malayan Buff and mixtures in the ‘stones’, all EverStain™ Acid Stain, Easy Seal top coats. To say I’m well pleased with the outcome would be a major understatement.
    ps. One quart container of sealer came damaged and an email to Customer Service had a replacement on my doorstep in a couple days! Direct Colors is the go to for this type of project.
  • Personal Tips:
    Some colors (on my floor English Red) will overpower everything else losing the contrasting tones I desired for this project….note that I used a spray bottle, and yep it bled over everywhere even though I thought I was going light. Were I to do this again, I’d use a brush and LIGHTLY keep it in the borders even if multiple passes were necessary. This is only if you’re wanting to see a dramatic color difference at borders.
    I attempted to clean up the border bleed over with a Scotch Brite pad/ ammonia solution only to discover a remarkable lightening of color …touched up with stain again to find just enough mineral content left to return much of the contrast I desired. Patience with a project of this nature pays off!
    Spike shoes are mandatory!
  • Direct Colors Products Used:
    1 Gal. Coffee Brown EverStain™ & EasySeal™ Gloss Kit
    1 Gal. Malayan Buff EverStain™ & EasySeal™ Gloss Kit
    16 Oz. OxiGrip™ Slip-Resistant Additive (5-gallon mix)
Concrete Patching Compound
Patch-Rx™ Repair
Spiked Shoes for Staining Concrete Floors
Spiked Shoes
Malayan Buff EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Malayan Buff
Coffee Brown EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Coffee Brown
English Red EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ English Red
ProClean Neutralizer™
ProClean Neutralizer™
EasySeal Gloss
EasySeal™ Gloss

Concrete Chic: Bathroom’s Faux Wood Makeover

See how a bathroom floor was turned from plain concrete to stylish faux wood with Gorilla Duct Tape,  and Coffee Brown ™ stain. A simple but stunning transformation!

A chalk line being used to map out the future tile design on the concrete floor
Laying out the tile design using a chalk line
Concrete floor with duct tape neatly arranged following the chalked tile pattern
Duct tape outlining the tile pattern - prep work makes all the difference!
Applying Coffee Brown EverStain™ to the taped-off concrete floor
Rolling on the Coffee Brown EverStain™ - the transformation begins!
Freshly stained concrete floor in tile design, awaiting to dry
Stain's on and it's time to wait. Patience is key!
Revealing clean, crisp lines after removing the tape from the stained concrete floor
Tape's off, and look at those clean lines! Proof that good prep pays off.
Final look of the faux-tile floor after applying two layers of sealer, showcasing its glossy finish
After two coats of sealer, the finished floor shines. The tile illusion is complete!

Project Info:

  • Project Completed In: 2 day(s)
  • Estimate of Square Footage: 144 sq. ft.
  • Project Description:
    I started out consulting Ashli (my wife) on what size tile look we wanted. It was between 6×24 and 8×24, we ended up doing 8×24 so save us from having to do more lines, which brings me to the lines. Ashli and I had a science experiment with tape and which wouldn’t bleed through the stain under the tape, we tried 4 different types of tape and ended up on gorilla duct tape. I cut it down to ¼ in the best I could. I measured out and chalked lines and we laid the tape down in the tile design. I used our coffee brown stain and went to town, staying up till 1 am due to having to neutralize the acid stain and clean it. Pulling up the tape was the most satisfying part due to being able to see no bleed through and all mostly crisp lines. I decided to leave the lines the natural concrete color so it would offset the dark brown well. After the second of sealer last night I can say I’m really happy how this came out!
  • Personal Tips:
    Test test test, use a inconspicuous area to find out if you can do what you want. Take your time, and don’t wipe with straight lines, go in circles.
  • Direct Colors Products Used:
    1 Gal. Coffee Brown DIY EverStain™ & EasySeal™ Gloss Kit
    1 Gal. ProWax Polish™ Gloss
ProClean Degreaser
ProClean Degreaser™
Spiked Shoes for Staining Concrete Floors
Spiked Shoes
CitrusEtch™ concrete etcher
CitrusEtch™ concrete etcher
Coffee Brown EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Coffee Brown
ProClean Neutralizer™
ProClean Neutralizer™
EasySeal Gloss
EasySeal™ Gloss
ProWax Polish™ Gloss
ProWax Polish™ Gloss

Flagstone Fix: Reviving a Cracked Patio

See how a customer turned a cracked patio into a beautiful space with a faux flagstone design and black EverStain™ acid stain. A simple tape and stain approach made all the difference!

Patio floor marked with masking tape to outline faux flagstone design
Laying the groundwork: Taping the patio in a faux flagstone design
The taped concrete patio floor immediately after being sprayed with Black EverStain acid stain.
Application in Progress: Freshly sprayed with Black EverStain
The patio surface showing a deepened color, 6 hours after black EverStain acid stain application
Patience Pays Off: 6 hours in, and the stain reveals its true shade
Patio surface post black EverStain acid stain neutralization, wash, and sealing
A gleaming patio surface post acid stain neutralization, wash, and sealing.
Before. Crack repaired with cement over it.
Before. Crack repaired with cement over it.
Patio with an acid stained faux flagstone taped stencil design
After

Project Info:

  • Project Completed In: 2 day(s)
  • Estimate of Square Footage: 200 sq. ft.
  • Project Description:
    My patio had a crack right across it. I tried repairing it by filling it. Then by cementing over it. No matter what it looked ugly. I saw the faux flagstone idea on your web site. Taped the design. Used black acid stain. Looks better!
  • Personal Tips:
    Using sprayer is very easy. Make sure that you tape all around. It gets everywhere!
  • Direct Colors Products Used:
    1 Gal. Black DIY EverStain™ & AcquaSeal™ Gloss Kit
  • Other Products Used:
    None. Water to rinse. Sprayer. Masking tape.
Concrete Patching Compound
Patch-Rx™ Repair
Spiked Shoes for Staining Concrete Floors
Spiked Shoes
Black EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Black
ProClean Neutralizer™
ProClean Neutralizer™
AcquaSeal Gloss
AcquaSeal™ Gloss

Porch Perfection: A Stencil-Stained Masterpiece

Check out our customer’s amazing transformation of a 10×12 ft porch using stencils and acid stains. Get inspired with simple tips on how you can create a stunning look for your own porch!

Modello stencil neatly laid out on the porch floor
The Modello stencil perfectly positioned for the project
Stenciled area covered while applying Amber and Malayan Buff acid stain around it
Carefully applying Amber and Malayan Buff acid stain around the covered stencil
Stencil still on the floor with different colored acid stains applied over it
The stencil remains in place, with a spectrum of acid stains applied over it, crafting a colorful design
Finished and sealed porch floor showcasing the vibrant stencil design
The sealed porch floor, flaunting the stunning and colorful stencil design

Project Info:

  • Project Completed In: 4 day(s)
  • Estimate of Square Footage: 120 sq. ft.
  • Project Description:
    Had an addition to the house and included a covered screen in porch of 10×12 ft. Decided to stain the concrete and add a stencil. Used a Modello stencil on the project and multiple color stains for the overall look.
  • Personal Tips:
    For some reason only the English red had issues with bleeding through the stencil. We also left the inside of the stencil without stain as the contrast was nicer than trying to add another color. I taking the time to lay the stencil out is key. I used a sponge to apply the colors to the stencil and a sprayer to stain the border. Also, do not judge your work until after the sealer is applied as it really helps the colors show. Overall, it was a fun project. I would do it again.
  • Direct Colors Products Used:
    1 Gal. Desert Amber DIY EverStain™ & AcquaSeal™ Satin Kit
    1 Qt. Malayan Buff EverStain™
    1 Gal. Desert Amber EverStain™
    4 Oz. Azure Blue EverStain™
    4 Oz. Avocado EverStain™
    4 Oz. English Red EverStain™
  • Other Products Used:
    Modello Stencil- Bradbury CC101 Custom Carpet & Ceiling Stencil 6x6ft.
CitrusEtch™ concrete etcher
CitrusEtch™ concrete etcher
ProClean Neutralizer™
ProClean Neutralizer™
Spiked Shoes for Staining Concrete Floors
Spiked Shoes
Desert Amber EverStain Acid Stain
EverStain™ Desert Amber
Cola EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Cola
Coffee Brown EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Coffee Brown
EasySeal Satin
EasySeal™ Satin
ProWax Polish™ Satin
ProWax Polish™ Satin

Custom Carpet Design: Bird Stencil Magic

See how a customer made their porch special with our DecoGel™ acid stain colors and a bird themed stencil. It’s concrete that looks just like a fancy rug!

Concrete porch floor enhanced with a custom bird stencil design using DecoGel acid stains to emulate a decorative rug
Before sealing this fun makeover with a stencil and colorful DecoGel acid stains – it's like a rug, but way cooler
Concrete porch floor with a bird stencil design, made to look like a colorful rug using our DecoGel acid stains
Stenciled concrete floor using DecoGel acid stains
diy concrete stain contest