G-Stain is a water-based concrete stain concentrate that is eco-friendly, semi-transparent, and designed as a user-friendly alternative to traditional acid stains. It penetrates concrete and cementitious overlays to create durable decorative color with no residue, and no need for neutralizing. If color is not satisfactory, G-Stain may be manipulated with a wet rag or sponge. Color intensity can be adjusted by dilution ratio and/or additional coats to achieve lighter, darker, or more layered effects. Sealing after application is required.

Tech-Specs:

Standard Mix Ratio: 1 part stain : 3 parts water (32oz Stain + 96oz Water = 1 gal)

Coverage: 200–300 sq ft/gal @ standard dilution ratio

Sizes Available:

32 oz Concentrate (Dilute Before Use)
4 oz Sample (Ready to Use – Do Not Dilute)

Dry Time: Dries at the rate of water (varies by temp/humidity/sun/substrate)

Application Temperature: 50°F–90°F (10°C–32°C), maintain for 24 hours

Appearance: Semi-transparent, natural variations of color intensity

Application Methods: Pump sprayer, pad, sponge, brush, roller, mop

Sealing: Required after fully dry.

Recommended Uses:

Interior and exterior concrete floors
Patios, driveways, walkways, and pool decks
Vertical concrete and cementitious overlays
Integrally colored or color-hardened concrete
Stamped concrete as accentor or border colorant
Skim coats and cement-based toppings (cementitious overlays)

Surface Prep

Surface preparation principles for G-Stain are aligned with other coloring agents for cement-based products. For best results, the substrate must be:

Clean: The surface must be free of dust, dirt, oil, grease, paints, glues, sealers, curing agents, stamp tool releases, efflorescence, chemical contaminants, rust, algae, mildew, and other foreign matter that may prevent proper absorption. Any previously applied sealer, paint, or oil-based products must be completely removed.
Cured: G-Stain is best used on cured concrete and cured concrete overlays. It may be applied to newer concrete; however, final color may not be fully realized until the concrete is fully cured (typically 14–28 days). Cementitious overlays may be stained once they are dry to a uniform moisture level.
Sound: Do not apply over surfaces that are flaking, spalling, delaminating, or otherwise unsound.
Profiled / Porous: The surface must be open and absorbent. If the concrete surface does not repel water and is not a very hard, steel-troweled finish, little or no prep work is typically required beyond thorough cleaning. If the surface is so dense or slick that G-Stain cannot penetrate, light sanding/grinding or etching is required to open the surface. A Concrete Etcher/Cleaner may be used to clean and help open the surface; refer to its TDS. Some conditions may require mechanical preparation (e.g., grinding or shot blasting) based on site evaluation. After any sanding/grinding, the surface must be cleaned thoroughly and brushed to lift fine particles from the pores. Rinse well and wet-vac while wet so residue is not left in the concrete. Test a small area to confirm the surface is porous and free of dust before proceeding.

Make sure you test an area on site before applying.

Application Instructions

G-Stain can be sprayed, mopped, brushed, sponged, rolled, or padded. A pump sprayer is most commonly used for the first coat. If rolling is used, take care to avoid straight lines and lap marks.

Mixing (Standard Dilution)

Shake the G-Stain concentrate vigorously before use. Mix 1 part G-Stain with 3 parts clean water. At this ratio, a 32oz stain concentrate is combined with 96 oz of water to form one gallon of usable stain. For best consistency, pour the measured water into a larger mixing container, add the concentrate, and mix thoroughly. Add a small amount of water into the empty concentrate bottle, shake to rinse out any remaining pigment, then pour it into the mix and stir again. Keep the mixed stain agitated during use.

NOTE: The 4oz Sample bottles do not require dilution, they are already mixed with 3 parts water.

Application

Apply the first coat over the entire surface to establish a consistent base color. Work in sections and maintain a wet edge. When spraying, use overlapping circular or crosshatch passes to minimize visible spray patterns.

Applying to dry concrete will produce a more intense, more uniform color. Applying to wet or damp concrete allows the stain to flow and settle more naturally. On smooth concrete, this can create more unpredictable color movement and veining. On stamped or textured concrete, it creates an "accent" effect, where the stain settles into the low points while the high points remain lighter.

NOTE: When the stain dries, it will appear lighter in color. Once a wet-look or color-enhancing sealer is applied, the color will return to a similar intensity as it had while wet. When using a typical color-enhancing sealer, judge the color and overall appearance while the stain is still wet.

Avoid heavy puddling unless a specific decorative effect is desired.

Building Color / Additional Coats

Color is built up and may require additional coats depending on the porosity of the concrete and the look desired. Additional coats can be applied as full coverage or in random, uneven applications to create more variation and movement. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next.

Multi-Color Techniques

When using multiple colors, apply lighter colors first for best control. Colors may be pre-mixed to create custom tones, or layered to build depth and variation. Spraying to light saturation (even slight puddling), followed by blotting or swirling, can create attractive movement; edges of heavier applications may leave distinctive veining as they dry.

Porous Substrates

Extremely porous surfaces (such as concrete block or very open/broomed concrete) may absorb the stain so deeply that color appears weak or inconsistent. In these scenarios, the stain may be blended with a water-based polycrylic to reduce absorption and achieve a more intense color. Always test a small area first to confirm the surface accepts stain and produces the desired appearance.

Make sure you test an area on site before applying.

Sealing

Sealing is required to lock the color in place and prevent the stain from washing off. G-Stain may be sealed with a variety of sealers, including solvent-based, water-based, penetrating, acrylic, polyurethane, and more. The best sealer depends on where the stain is applied and the performance needed.

For exterior applications, we recommend sealing G-Stain with either a water-based or solvent-based acrylic sealer. Acrylics allow the concrete to breathe and are easy to recoat for maintenance. For interior applications, G-Stain is typically sealed with a water-based or solvent-based polyurethane. These sealers are more durable, but less breathable, which is why they are better suited for interior use.

Recommended GlobMarble Sealers

Exterior

Interior

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to seal after staining?

A: Yes. Sealing is required to protect the finish, enhance color depth, and lock the stain in place. The sealer you choose should match the application (interior vs. exterior).

Q: How long do I wait before sealing?

A: Seal only after the stain is fully dry and the surface is moisture-free. If you cleaned or rinsed the slab right before staining, allow it to dry thoroughly to reduce the risk of hazing. For standard sealers, wait 28 days after the concrete is poured before staining and sealing. If you need to stain and seal fresh concrete, a cure-and-seal sealer is recommended.

Q: What’s the difference between water-based concrete stain and acid stain?

A: G-Stain Water Based Concrete Stain is non-reactive and typically offers more consistent, controllable color and a wider color range, while acid stains react with the concrete and are generally limited to earth-tone reactions. Water-based stains do not require neutralizing. G-Stain shows its color as it dries, while acid stains must develop their final color over several hours.

Q: Do I need to neutralize after using a water-based stain?

A: No. Water-based concrete stains do not require neutralizing like reactive acid stains.

Q: Can I use this on patios, driveways, and other exterior concrete?

A: Yes. G-Stain is commonly used on outdoor surfaces such as patios, driveways, walkways, and pool decks. It performs best with proper surface preparation, a quality exterior acrylic sealer, and regular sealer maintenance.

Q: Can I use this on stamped concrete?

A: Yes. G-Stain works well on stamped and textured surfaces. It can create an accented look as the stain settles into low points while the high points remain lighter.

Q: Can I apply it over sealed or painted concrete?

A: No. Water-based concrete stain needs an open, porous surface to penetrate. Any sealer, paint, wax, or coating must be removed so the stain can absorb properly.

Q: How do I know if my concrete is porous enough?

A: Do a simple water test. If water soaks in, the slab is generally open enough to accept stain. If it beads up, there may be sealer or contaminants that must be removed before staining.

Q: Can I stain concrete that has been power washed?

A: Yes, as long as the surface is clean, porous, and completely dry before staining. If power washing exposes areas that repel water (from old sealer, oil, or contaminants), those areas must be removed or treated so the stain absorbs evenly.

Q: Can I use water-based concrete stain on old concrete?

A: Yes. It works well on old concrete when the surface is properly cleaned and opened up for absorption. Older slabs often have contaminants or previous treatments that can block absorption, so surface prep and a jobsite test area are important.

Q: Does water-based concrete stain work on broom-finished concrete?

A: Yes, but broom-finished concrete is more porous and textured, so it may absorb stain faster and look less uniform than smooth concrete. Many people like the natural variation. Always test a small area to confirm color intensity, coverage, and number of coats.

Q: How many coats do I need?

A: It depends on surface porosity and the look you want. One coat can produce a lighter, more natural look, while additional coats build deeper color and more movement. Test a small area first to confirm dilution and the number of coats.

Q: Can I make the color lighter or darker?

A: Yes. Lighten the color by increasing dilution with water, and deepen color by applying additional coats after the previous coat dries.

Q: Can I layer multiple colors?

A: Yes. Layering colors is a common technique to add variation and depth. A typical approach is to apply lighter colors first, then build deeper tones as needed.

Q: Will it peel or flake like paint?

A: No. This is not a film coating like paint. Water-based concrete stain is designed to penetrate into porous concrete. Proper surface prep is critical—if the slab isn’t porous, the stain can’t absorb correctly.

Q: How soon can I walk on it?

A: Once the stain is dry, light foot traffic is typically fine. Durability comes from sealing, so follow your sealer’s cure times for foot and vehicle traffic.

Q: Why does my concrete look different than the color chart?

A: Concrete varies by cement content, aggregate, finishing method, porosity, surface condition, and prior treatments. These factors change how stain absorbs and appears. Always make a jobsite sample for final approval.

Q: What is a water-based concrete stain?

A: A water-based concrete stain is a non-reactive, pigmented stain that colors concrete by penetrating into the surface rather than creating a chemical reaction. G-Stain Water Based Concrete Stain is designed to be user-friendly while still producing durable decorative color.

Q: Why does the stain look lighter after it dries?

A: Water-based stain typically dries lighter. A wet-look or color-enhancing sealer will deepen the color back closer to its wet appearance.

G-Stain Water Based Color Chart

G-Stain Water Based Concrete Stain SDS

Shipping:
Processing time: 1–2 business days.
Carriers: UPS & FedEx.
Worldwide shipping from Brooklyn, NY.

Returns:
30-day return policy for unused items.
Money-back guarantee if the product is defective.
Customer pays for return shipping unless the item is damaged.

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G-Stain Water Based Concrete Stain Concentrate

Available Options

Tech-Specs:

Recommended Uses:

Surface Prep