How to Stain Exterior Concrete Designs

Unroll the stencil for your concrete design across the still-wet concrete slab. Use a helper to assist you with the unrolling as you'll need someone to hold the stencil end at the edge of the slab while you unroll it carefully across. Make certain adjacent rows of stencils continue the full stencil pattern on the concrete as you place it. Patterns available include anything from fieldstone to tiles or bricks.

Cut the stencils from the roll after placing each row using a pair of scissors. Make your cuts about 1/8 inch to the inside of the edges of the concrete slab form so the stencils will remain in place after swelling slightly due to moisture absorption from the concrete.

Roll the stencils into place to secure the position of the pattern using a stencil roller placed on the end of a bull float handle. The roller is much the same as a paint roller, containing a covering that resists sticking to wet concrete. Use a light amount of force when rolling the stencils, as you want them placed on the surface of the concrete to block the stain, not digging beneath. Use a hand float to gently press down the edges of the stencils onto the concrete surface. Make two or three passes with the roller to provide greater contrast between the patterns and the concrete the stencil protects.

Toss powdered color hardener over the surface of the slab to create the concrete color you desire. Additional layers of the hardener will deepen the color, but note that deeper colors are difficult to keep shade consistent throughout the slab. Go over the surface of the slab after dusting with the hardener with a bull float to spread the color around as evenly as possible and to work it further into the surface of the slab.

Switch the stencil roller on the end of your handle to a texture roller if you wish to add a specific texture such as heavy stone or granite to your concrete. Sprinkle a light layer of powdered mold release agent over the concrete to prevent the texture roller from sticking during texture application and then roll over the surface of the concrete to add the texture to its surface.

Remove the stencils from the slab by pulling them directly up from the surface from both sides at once. Again, have an assistant help you. Pull the pattern straight up, taking care not to bunch the material and cause distortions in the pattern. The patterns should be set in the stone after the stencil removal. Allow the color to set in overnight.

Sweep away the release agent from the slab using a push broom and wash off any residue with a pressure washer set on low to reveal the coloring beneath. Apply two coats of concrete sealer to protect the color and form a light wear layer over the pattern using a low-nap paint roller. Wait 48 hours for the sealer to dry before touching the concrete surface.