Staining

• 1). Clean the surface of the concrete to remove all dirt and residue. You can use a broom with soap and water or a power washer to clean the patio.
  
  
• 2). Choose the type of stain that you want to use on the concrete. You can use a water-based stain or an acid-based stain.
  
  
• 3). Select the application method to use to apply the stain to the concrete. You can use a sprayer or a paintbrush to apply stain. Sprayers are the most common method for applying stain to concrete.
  
  
• 4). Pour the concrete stain into the sprayer, if using.
  
  
• 5). Prime the sprayer, if necessary. If you are using a hand-held sprayer, you may need to prime it before you can begin spraying. You can prime a sprayer by moving the handle up and down to pump air into the reservoir.
  
  
• 6). Move the sprayer nozzle in a circular motion when spraying the concrete.
  
  
• 7). Let the stain dry for at least two hours.
  
  
• 8). Apply an additional coat of stain, if necessary, to complete the project.
  
  

Sealing

• 1). Clean the surface of the concrete to remove all dirt and residue. You can use a broom with soap and water or a power washer to clean the patio.
  
  
• 2). Stir the sealer to make sure it is mixed properly and then pour the sealer solution into the sprayer.
  
  
• 3). Prime the sprayer, if necessary. If you are using a hand-held sprayer you may need to prime it before you can begin spraying. You can prime a sprayer by moving the handle up and down to pump air into the reservoir.
  
  
• 4). Go over the patio with the sprayer, starting at a far corner, and apply the sealer to the entire patio. Let the sealer dry for at least two hours.
  
  
• 5). Apply and additional coat of sealer to the patio to complete the project.