Chemical stains can be applied to new or old, plain or colored concrete surfaces. Although they are often called acid stains, acid isn't the ingredient that colors the concrete. Metallic salts in an acidic, water-based solution react with hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) in hardened concrete to yield insoluble, colored compounds that become a permanent part of the concrete. Several companies manufacture chemical stains that are variations of three basic color groups: black, brown, and blue-green. The acid in chemical stains opens the top surface of the concrete, allowing metallic salts to reach the free lime deposits. Water from the stain solution then fuels the reaction, usually for about a month after the stain has been applied.

Other factors that affect the outcome include:

- Cement properties and amount
- Admixtures used
- Type of aggregate used
- Concrete finishing methods
- Concrete age and moisture content when stain is   applied
- Weather conditions when stain is applied
- Efflorescence

In general, cements that produce larger amounts of calcium hydroxide during hydration will show more stain color, and higher cement contents produce more intense colors.

Air-entraining or water-reducing admixtures don't pose a problem. However, calcium-chloride accelerators can cause very mottled, darkened areas, and for this reason aren't recommended.

Nonchloride accelerators don't cause this mottling effect.

If they're near the surface, calcium- based aggregates, such as lime-stone, take stain readily and deepen the color of the concrete above them. Siliceous aggregates, such as gravel, don't react with the stain.

Open finishes achieved by floating followed by minimal troweling take more stain and produce denser colors than do hard-troweled surfaces. However, open finishes lose color faster because the concrete wears away. Because of this, Gary Jones, president of CP Concrete Systems in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, prefers staining hard-troweled surfaces because the stain color lasts longer. "Colors on troweled surfaces also look richer than those on floated surfaces," says Jones. "But you have to sand the surface or use a higher acid concentration to ensure adequate stain penetration."

Slabs placed in wet weather result in a richer stain color if the concrete is stained soon after it's placed. However, wet slabs are more likely to effloresce, lightening the color and causing a more mottled effect in areas where the stain doesn't take because efflorescing salts hinder penetration. On sunny days, the concrete can become hot and dry, and the stains won't penetrate as deeply into the concrete.

The continued presence of water will cause the reaction to continue for a long time, and concrete stained blue-green will gradually turn brown or even black. Initially, this provides nice variation to the appearance, but eventually, nearly all the blue-green color may change to brown and black. Because of the possible color shifts, some manufacturers advise against using these colors for exterior concrete. Interior slabs must be placed on a well-drained base or sub-grade and have a low moisture content before stain is applied. Jones believes the brown-colored "flowering" of blue-green stains is caused by oxidation of a copper component resulting from water vapor passing through the slab. Others believe the brown color is caused by a fungus, which can be eliminated by using sealers containing a fungicide.