Water-based Stains: Will They Last?

Water-based stains hold tantalizing promise for the field of architectural concrete — low VOCs, low odor, simple application and cleanup, and bright hues not possible with reactive acid-based stains. But do they deliver the wearability, durability and ease of application that would help make concrete colored with water-based stains more appealing to customers?

How they work

To the newbie, water-based stains may seem to be just the “green” counterpart to acid-based or reactive stains. After all, both are applied in a similar manner. In fact, understanding the differences between how these two products function is the first step to setting accurate expectations for a water-based stain project.