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Calcimator

Acid Stain Calculator

Calculate acid stain concentrate, dilution water, neutralizer, and sealer quantities for decorative concrete staining.

Inputs

%

Results

Stain concentrate (gal)

1.83

Dilution water (gal)1.83
Total mixed solution (gal)3.67
Neutralizer / baking soda (lbs)5
Sealer (gal)6.29
Rinse water (gal)25
Total material cost ($)$440.95
Material cost per sq ft ($)$0.88
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter the total concrete surface area in sq ft and the number of coats (2 is standard for rich color depth).
  2. Set the coverage rate in sq ft/gal based on surface texture — smooth or sealed surfaces absorb less (400+ sq ft/gal), broom-finished surfaces more (200–250 sq ft/gal).
  3. Enter the dilution ratio (water:stain); 1:1 is common for lighter effects, 0 for full-strength deep color.
  4. Read Stain Concentrate (gal) to place your material order, plus Dilution Water (gal) for mixing.
  5. Note Neutralizer / Baking Soda (lbs) — acid residue must be neutralized and rinsed before sealing.
  6. Use Sealer (gal) to plan the protective topcoat application after the stain has fully reacted.

How the result changes with Surface area (sq ft)

Surface area (sq ft)Stain concentrate (gal)
5,00118.34
17,50164.17
32,500119.17
45,000165

What each input means

Surface area (sq ft)
Total concrete surface area to be stained.
Number of coats
Coats of stain to apply. 2 coats is standard for rich color depth.
Coverage rate (sq ft/gal)
Full-strength coverage per gallon. Smooth/sealed surfaces: 400+. Porous/broom-finished: 200-250.
Dilution ratio (water:stain)
Parts water per 1 part stain concentrate. 0 = full strength, 1 = 1:1 dilution.
Waste factor (%)
Extra material for overspray, drips, and uneven absorption. 10% is typical.

What each result means

Stain concentrate (gal)
Gallons of acid stain concentrate to purchase.
Dilution water (gal)
Clean water needed to dilute the stain concentrate.
Total mixed solution (gal)
Combined volume of stain and water to apply.
Neutralizer / baking soda (lbs)
Baking soda needed to neutralize acid residue after staining.
Sealer (gal)
Sealer for two protective coats over the stained surface.
Rinse water (gal)
Approximate water for post-stain residue rinsing.
Total material cost ($)
Estimated cost for stain, sealer, and neutralizer.
Material cost per sq ft ($)
Material cost divided by total area.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Surface area (sq ft) = 500, Number of coats = 2, Coverage rate (sq ft/gal) = 300, Dilution ratio (water:stain) = 1 = 5 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Stain concentrate
    Stain concentrate = concentratePerCoat * numCoats * (1 + wastePct / 100)
    1.83 = 1.83
  3. Calculate Dilution water
    Dilution water = totalConcentrateGal * dilutionRatio
    1.83 = 1.83
  4. Calculate Total mixed solution
    Total mixed solution = totalConcentrateGal + waterGallons
    3.67 = 3.67

Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.

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