TCnbc Magazine - 15
Prep the Concrete
Remove furniture and other miscellaneous objects (planters, etc.) from the concrete at this time. Remove all residue and loose particles from the concrete using a broom and hose. If there are any other elements stuck to the concrete, you can scrape those off as well. After cleaning, allow the concrete to dry for 24 hours.
Apply the Stain
After the concrete has dried, you can begin applying the stain. Place your paint pan on the tarp and pour the stain into the pan. Using your paintbrush, apply the stain along the perimeter edge and at all seams (Images 1 and 2). Then, begin applying the stain over the rest of the concrete with the pad. Use the seams as natural divisions to work in. Stay in only one section at a time so you can maintain control over blending without it drying too quickly (Image 3). Once most of the stain is out of the pad, use what is left to feather (soften) the edges from your previous strokes before you add more stain to the pad (Image 4).
Parts of the concrete will absorb the stain differently. Rust spots will finish darker than the rest of the area you are staining. You can fill any holes or uneven areas in the concrete, but the fill will absorb the stain more quickly and be darker than the un-filled areas.
Note: Don't apply the stain in direct sun; wait for a cloudy day or apply it when the concrete is in shade. The stain will dry much more quickly in the sun and won't give you much time to blend your strokes.