This commercial acid is powerful stuff. It really burns if it gets on your skin so wear thick rubber gloves. You have to rub and brush that acid right down into the pores of the concrete. Once the acid staining is over the pores are still unsealed so I can paint the rose vines and buds pink and green with epoxy. Then a good sealant.

For care purposes always tarp your garden statuary, fountains, etc... Or bring them into the garage during winter.

This one is finished with the foundation color stain.. I can detail it or not before I seal it. I'm also working on one with a lighter Amber tone.

Beautiful

High gloss industrial sealant for the "wet" look.

This second one I detailed...

Both are sealed....

And here is the detailed one in a garden setting. 🌺🌺🌺.

@SpringGreenThumb, I just love your finished birdbaths! What is the name of the high gloss sealant you used? I'm always looking for ones that really work.

That is so beautiful - it almost looks like a cake and I want to eat a slice

This is what I'm using as a sealant.
It was especially created and supposed to have double the life span.

Thanks, the next time I do anything with concrete, I'll find some of that.

I am now staining a self casted concrete bench top. I have applied the stain in a sunburst pattern to get the wood grain look. I am using a light Amber color.
That way when I apply the hi gloss sealer it will deepen to a rich, warm, oak color.

What a great idea. That will be perfect for the bench!

That is beautiful

Now the second coat of acid stain is finished. This color is permanent and it took a total of only 4 oz. of acid dye.

The next step is to stencil the design I want on it and seal it.

I like to include words in my garden such as..

"Love is spoken here." Or "Betsy's Garden"

Sounds like a great plan. I can't wait to see it finished.
Do you cast all of your cement pieces?

plantmanager said: Sounds like a great plan. I can't wait to see it finished.
Do you cast all of your cement pieces?

Yes.

Nice! You could sell your benches.

Definitely looks like wood - WOW!