How to Apply Stain to Carved Concrete

Sweep the surface with a broom to remove dust, dirt or other debris from the concrete surface. Spray the concrete with a high-pressure hose or pressure washer to remove any hard-to-remove sediments.

Pour Muriatic acid onto the concrete and scrub at the surface with a stiff bristle brush. Apply pressure at the location of the carving to ensure that some bristles and acid enter the recessed areas.

Rinse the surface with a hose completely until you see little or no bubbling remaining on the concrete. Allow the surface to dry completely, then spray it down a second time and let it dry again.

Apply the stain to the carved areas using a quality paintbrush with synthetic bristles. Because the stain is transparent, apply one coat and then let it dry fully. Come back and lay down further coats to get the desired color depth.

Flush the carved area with a garden hose after the last coat of stain has dried for a minimum of 4 hours. Check the stained carving after the concrete dries to see if additional coats are needed.

Apply a concrete stain sealer to the carving with a paintbrush 24 hours after the last coat was applied. This protects the stain and makes the colors slightly more vivid.