So, my concrete slab is two different shades

[robbyreneeward]

Most of it is very light in color, but last truckload was darker. It's been 5 weeks and they're still same colors. Our plan was to stain the concrete. Can this still be done?? I will try to post pics tomorrow to show yall

[DRT]

The most effective concrete coloring is mixed into the concrete before pouring. You can use a stain now but if you use the same tint on both sections the darker one will still be darker.

[mjhaverkamp]

Most of it is very light in color, but last truckload was darker. It's been 5 weeks and they're still same colors. Our plan was to stain the concrete. Can this still be done?? I will try to post pics tomorrow to show yall

They may have had different materials or more cement in that last load of concrete, the stain will likely be darker on that last load, maybe a good stain man can adjust the chemicals so it comes out uniform, good luck.

[BIG IRON]

It will be fine unless you are not going to be able to deal with it mentally. Where in the house is it? Located in a few rooms? If you want uniform then go with tile.

[PEC]

Could be multiple things. They may have mixed heave calcium to aid in drying if the last truck was late. Or temp was dropping. You can use an acid stain over a dye and gain better control over color. Then thing about concrete is no matter how perfect the slab inconsistencies will still exist to some extend. If it were me I would stick to original plan. A lot of the area may be covered with furniture or rugs it may be broken by a wall. Worse case scenario you have to cover with something later.

[cwill]

I've had 2 houses with stained concrete and I'd just rock with it. The cool thing about stained concrete to me is the color inconsistencies throughout the house. Plus I doubt you'll ever notice it once furniture and everything is in. Make sure and double sure you keep it covered extra good once you get the house dried in. It's a nightmare at times, but anything that hits that slab chemical/paint/dry wall mud etc..will show when you stain.

[jkk831]

Go with polished concrete............you will thank me later.

[TTU TX Hunter]

Which company provided the mud? Our company uses a different sand out of a few of our plants and it is considerably darker and will affect color.

[El General]

You can definitely stain the concrete, but the darker area will always be darker.

[robbyreneeward]

Go with polished concrete............you will thank me later.

What is polished concrete?

[jkk831]

You will get the same effect as stained but will wear a lot better and longer. You diamond grind the concrete to the desired aggregate look if you want it and the they put a dye on the concrete and then a densifier to seal it up. Look at ameripolish.com to get more of an idea about it.

[bbqfan5909]

Just finished up staining my concrete...diamond grind the floor and stained with kemiko stain and burned in wax with buffer. Floor has all sorts of colors as the acid reacts to the concrete.

I would try to stay away from any topical seals as it will chip off and wear over time.

For a living, I manage one of the largest natural stone refinishing companies in DFW...this stained concrete is very cool when done correctly!

[CaptainDave]

You can stain it, but the darker area probably will always be darker. Sounds like you got a different batch of concrete in the last truck. You could point some blame at the concrete provider as they are definitely responsible for giving you the same mix.

As for a fix, you could do an overlay as that would cover the surface and allow for you to have a uniform cover. Only problem is I think that would be a bit more money than just staining it.

[El General]

You can stain it, but the darker area probably will always be darker. Sounds like you got a different batch of concrete in the last truck. You could point some blame at the concrete provider as they are definitely responsible for giving you the same mix.

As for a fix, you could do an overlay as that would cover the surface and allow for you to have a uniform cover. Only problem is I think that would be a bit more money than just staining it.

It could be same mix design but a different color, but submitting mix designs on a residential slab is very rare. Ready mix companies don't give any guarantee on color. A residential concrete contractor is only going to order by PSI, Fly Ash or Straight Cement, and maybe aggregate size. He isn't going to specify sand or cement, which is where concrete color comes from.

Probably, they are different batches of sand or cement from the same place. They just ran out and started a new one.

[mjhaverkamp]

You can stain it, but the darker area probably will always be darker. Sounds like you got a different batch of concrete in the last truck. You could point some blame at the concrete provider as they are definitely responsible for giving you the same mix.

As for a fix, you could do an overlay as that would cover the surface and allow for you to have a uniform cover. Only problem is I think that would be a bit more money than just staining it.

We get our concrete sand from 5 different pits, there are variations in the color, especially if manufactured sand has been blended into the natural sand, the concrete company is going to guarantee 3000 psi or whatever you ordered and that is it.