The acid StainColor products penetrate through the pores of concrete to form a permanent, resistant color.
 
Created to color both old and new concrete, Design Systems offers a variety of stains from which to choose. However, since these stains react with the minerals present in the concrete, every colored paving will be different.

Paving colored with acid stain frequently has a unique, variegated look and is also one of the main reasons why the StainColor process is such a success.
 
The StainColors are extremely resistant, so the colors they generate last longer. The acid stains penetrate the concrete surface and react with the last superficial layer, penetrating it with various microns. The result of this process of penetration is that the only way to remove the acid stains is to grind the surface level of the concrete.
 
The user should also bear in mind that the acid StainColors from Design Systems will not cover imperfections present in the concrete. These are not paints, and thus any imperfection in the concrete that was visible before coloring will still be visible afterwards. Before staining, the user should therefore seek to cover as far as possible any large imperfections such as holes or grooves.

To improve the resistance of the acid stains still further, a sealant is always recommended. This will protect the stain from the natural humidity of the air and also from any spillages of liquids and/or foods that may have a deleterious effect on the stains. When applying a Design Systems StainColor, it should be remembered that sealants intensify the colors, making them darker and stronger. Sealants can be applied with a glossy or satin matt finish.

The acid StainColors have been used to decorate outside pedestrian passageways, basements, games rooms, sitting-rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms, kitchen benches, terraces, restaurants, shops, shop faces, statuettes and decorative tables, courtyards, gardens and motorway traffic barriers, etc.
Design Systems’ acid StainColors are sold ready to use. They can however be diluted with water if the final color is too intense, according to the customer’s taste.

Because of the composition of the acid stains, excessive dilution will neutralize the effects of the acid in the solution and therefore it is recommended that they never be diluted more than 20-30%. Design Systems offers 8 shades of SatinColors for all products with a cement base. All these colors are for interior use. However there are four colors that should not used for exterior surfaces since they are currently being tested for UV resistance, and therefore the results are not yet available. These colors are: Fern Green, Copper Patina.