Are You Planning To Stain A Garage Floor Using Quikrete Concrete Stain?

Quikrete holds the title as most popular between the various garage floor coatings. This could be due to a catchy name, or good old fashion reputation building, but there's really no one even close. Considering this, it definitely makes sense that Quikrete Concrete Stain is seen as the best garage floor stain out there by most people.

Quikrete Makes Two Different Products For Staining Concrete

There's not a particular product that is named "Quikrete Concrete Stain". This can be kind of confusing since, if you do a search on Quikrete Concrete Stain, you'll probably get one of these entries: Quikrete Semi-Transparent Concrete Stain, or Quikrete Etching Stain. Be careful which you pick, because these two products will result in different looks. For the time being, we'll concentrate on the Quikrete Etching Stain. I'll most likely talk about their Semi-Transparent Concrete Stain later on. Hey, stop whining, I'll get around to it. And eat those peas, too.

Quikrete Says To Use Etching Stain For Your Garage Floor

Actually, to be more exact, Quikrete doesn't recommend you use anything other than etching stain in your garage, and for good reason. Etching involves nothing short of melting the top layer of your concrete garage floor with acid so that you can scrape texture into it while, in this case, adding the stain as well. The result is garage flooring with improved grip for both car tires and human shoes or feet, as well as an old world, classic stone look.

Etching Is Not As Complicated As It Sounds

Etching concrete is not difficult. Actually, Quikrete says that their etching stain is a one-coat application. They also make it very clear that a sealant must be used, though, so that pretty much kills the one coat idea. Still, the complete install is much easier than epoxy garage floor paint and, after you apply the sealant, there will be some protection, which stain alone can't claim. Also, don't forget that you will need to thoroughly clean the garage floors and, if your floor has oil or grease stains, you'll want to use a stain remover. One coat, huh?

An Epoxy Garage Floor Coating Is Cheap, So Staining Is Even Cheaper, Right?

Usually, but not in this case. My guess would be that it's due to the acids needed for the etching process, but a can of Quikrete Etching Stain will likely run you over $300, and that's without cleaner or sealant. That's pretty darn expensive, even moreso than some of the higher quality garage floor tiles. However, garage floor tile won't make your concrete look like marble. Is it worth it? That depends entirely on you. If protecting your concrete is your top priority, I would say no, although once sealed, there is some protection. If your main goal is to make your concrete look different than any of the other garage floor finishes, though, then this will certainly do it.