Charcoal Outdoor Stains: Outdoor Projects You’ll Love

By Justin Richardson

Check out these awesome outdoor projects from our handy customers, all using our Charcoal Outdoor Stains. This page is chock-full of ideas to help you see just what you can do with our stains.

Stamped Sidewalk Rescue: From Worn Out to Waterproof

This DIY project gave a 20-year-old, color-faded stamped concrete sidewalk a complete facelift. After stripping the old sealer, the DIYer applied a fresh coat of our Charcoal Antiquing™ Stain, followed by a satin finish sealer. The result? A refreshed sidewalk that shrugged off the next day’s rain like a freshly waxed car.

20-year-old stamped concrete sidewalk before renovation — The starting point: An aged, colorless sidewalk with remnants of old sealer

Freshly renovated sidewalk with charcoal antiquing stain and satin finish — The transformation: The old sidewalk rejuvenated with Charcoal Antiquing stain and satin EasySeal

Close-up view of the worn-out stamped concrete sidewalk before renovation — Zoomed in: Detailing the wear and tear of the old sidewalk

Close-up view of the revitalized sidewalk with charcoal antiquing stain and satin sealer — Up close: The sidewalk's impressive transformation, showcasing the detailed patterns in the freshly applied stain and sealer

Every image in this gallery depicts projects using our concrete stains, shared by actual customers. However, due to the semi-transparent nature of the stains, the end look will be influenced by your concrete’s original color and condition. Outcomes may differ. For best results, we advise a test patch on your surface before full application to ensure desired appearance.

Party Garage Creation: From Scratch to Starry-eyed Stained Floors

This DIYer built a non-slip, hand-troweled concrete floor for a new party garage near their pond. Using our Antiquing™ Stain, they added an impressive touch to the textured floor. Lessons learned included using the correct footwear during application and using a fresh sprayer for the second sealer coat. Despite minor mishaps, the project was a success, with the beautiful stained floor earning praise from all visitors.

Unfinished concrete garage floor prior to staining — Before the magic: A bare, hand-troweled concrete garage floor

DIYer using a pump sprayer to apply stain on the garage floor — In action: The transformation begins with the application of the antiquing stain using a pump sprayer

Finished garage showcasing the beautiful, textured and stained concrete floor — Stunning Transformation: The once bare garage now boasts a beautifully stained and textured concrete floor

View of the finished garage highlighting the installed kitchen countertops — A peek into the details: The stunning stained floor complements the newly installed kitchen countertops in the garage

Brown to Charcoal: A Stamped Concrete Transformation

With our Charcoal Antiquing™ Stain, this DIYer transformed a 13-year-old, faded brown stamped concrete area into a chic, multi-toned space. Despite the challenges of prep work and weather, the project turned out stunningly, proving that the right tools and products can make a huge difference.

Faded brown, stamped concrete floor before the application of stain — The starting point: A 13-year-old stamped concrete floor, faded to a dull brown

Multitoned charcoal stamped concrete floor with hints of brown undertones after application of stain — The transformation: A fresh, multitoned charcoal finish, hinting at its brown undertones, adds new life to the once faded floor

Courtyard Comeback: Revitalizing Aged Stamped Concrete

In this DIY project, our customer breathed new life into a worn-out stamped concrete courtyard. The process began with hands-on scrubbing, power washing, and thorough drying. After masking and dusting off the area, Charcoal Antiquing™ Stain was applied, immediately adding vibrancy back into the space. The finishing touch of EasySeal™ Gloss gave the courtyard an impressive makeover, inspiring the DIYer to use Direct Colors for all future stamped concrete projects. A key tip they shared is to limit traffic on the freshly stained area and to spray on the sealer for a perfect finish.

Worn-out stamped concrete courtyard before the application of stain and sealer — he original: A lackluster stamped concrete courtyard yearning for renewal

Revitalized courtyard with charcoal antiquing stain and gloss sealer — The transformation: A once weary courtyard now gleams with new life thanks to charcoal antiquing stain and glossy sealer

Walkway and Patio Refresh: Charcoal and Auburn Antiquing™ Stain Makeover

This project brought new life to a 12-year-old faded walkway and patio. The walkway was transformed using a two-tone approach with light and dark Charcoal Antiquing™ Stain, followed by a Satin EasySeal™ Sealer.

Worn, colorless concrete walkway before the application of stain — The blank canvas: A 12-year-old, color-faded concrete walkway

Renewed front walkway with dark and light charcoal antiquing stain — The upgrade: The walkway, now boasting rich, charcoal tones, shows off its renewed appeal

Aged, colorless backyard patio prior to the application of stain — The before: A 12-year-old backyard patio, worn and colorless

Backyard patio revitalized with light charcoal and auburn antiquing stain — The transformation: The patio, adorned in light charcoal and auburn, matches the new paver walkway perfectly

Self-Taught Patio Makeover: From Neglected to Stunning

This DIYer took the plunge to revive a neglected, faded patio after finding no professionals for the job. Armed with our DIY Antiquing™ Stain Kit and the helpful advice of our patient customer service, they tackled the project with enthusiasm. After a meticulous process of soy gel stripping, degreasing, staining, and sealing, they watched their patio spring back to life. The highlight? A new self-stained concrete block step that matched the patio perfectly. A key tip: always consider the weather for outdoor projects and shake your stain well before and during spraying.

Neglected and color-faded patio before restoration — Starting point: A three-year neglected patio waiting for a revamp

Revived patio after application of antiquing stain and gloss sealant — The transformation: The once neglected patio is now a showstopper, thanks to a successful DIY makeover

No More Ugly Orange Concrete Patio

If you are covering an old color that is very bright, make sure to buy enough stain. It took me multiple layers due to the bright orange that was there before. Other than that, it was a rather simple process.

Stained Red Stamped Concrete Patio — After Black and Charcoal Antiquing Stains Over Red Stamped Concrete

Efficient Makeover: Broomed Concrete Patio Revamp

In this project, our DIYer rejuvenated a front patio made of broomed concrete using our Charcoal Antiquing™ Stain and EasySeal™ Satin DIY Kit. The pro-tip for this job: Spray in 100 sq ft increments to ensure efficient usage of stain and maintain proper mixing within the sprayer. An easy and effective way to transform your outdoor space.

Unfinished broomed concrete front patio prior to staining — The canvas: An untouched broomed concrete front patio

Refurbished front patio featuring antiqued charcoal stain and satin finish — The masterpiece: The front patio shines with new charisma thanks to the Charcoal Antiquing Stain and satin finish