Classic Coatings Systems Classic Coatings | Simple Stain (Spanish Cafe) | Concentrated | Water-Based, Semi-Transparent | Zero VOC, UV Stable | Interior/Exterior | Easy to Use, Fast Drying

Why I reached for a water-based stain

My patio had the usual story: solid concrete slab, structurally fine, cosmetically tired. I wanted a color upgrade without the mess and unpredictability of acid stains, and I wanted to keep odors to a minimum. That made a concentrated, water-based, zero-VOC option the obvious candidate. I chose the Simple Stain in Spanish Café to warm up a cool gray surface and keep maintenance straightforward with a sealer on top.

What it is and who it’s for

Simple Stain is a concentrated, semi-transparent, water-based stain designed for concrete and other masonry surfaces, indoors and out. Spanish Café is a mid-tone, warm brown that leans slightly earthy; on my slab it landed between café au lait and caramel, and deepened notably with a second coat. The formula is UV-stable and low odor, and cleanup is just soap and water. If you’re a DIYer comfortable with a sprayer and some surface prep, it can deliver a professional-looking finish. If you need a solid, uniform color that hides everything, you’ll want a pigmented coating instead; this is a stain, and it showcases the substrate’s character.

Surface prep and planning

My slab was over a decade old with the expected contamination: foot traffic grime, a little grease near the grill, and a few hairline cracks. I scrubbed the surface with a concrete-specific degreaser, thoroughly rinsed, and let it dry overnight. Any stain will magnify uneven porosity and leftover oils—if you don’t prep, you’ll wear it in the final finish.

I also taped off the perimeter and masked the base of adjacent walls. One low-cost step I recommend: make a small sample. I taped off a 2×2 ft square, applied the stain (one and two coats), and sealed it. This revealed how the color would read on my concrete and helped me lock in a dilution and spray pattern before touching the main field.

Mixing: do not rush this

Because it’s a concentrate, proper mixing is non-negotiable. When I opened the container, there was heavy pigment settled at the bottom. I poured the concentrate into a clean bucket, added distilled water per the label, and mixed with a drill-mounted paint paddle for several minutes, scraping the sides and bottom.

Two extra steps paid off:
- I strained the mixed stain through a 100-mesh paint filter into my sprayer to remove any stubborn pigment “seeds.”
- I kept a spare filter and a bucket of clean water nearby to flush and re-filter as needed.

Skipping the straining step is the fastest way to clog a sprayer or end up with tiny dark flecks from partially dissolved pigment. If you only have a hand pump sprayer, protect it by filtering first.

Application: equipment and technique matter

I applied with a backpack pump sprayer fitted with a fine, adjustable fan tip. The consistent pressure helps prevent spitting; a cheap trigger sprayer with a leaky nozzle will leave drip marks you can’t erase. I tested a few passes on cardboard to set a soft, even fan pattern before moving to concrete.

A few practical notes from the job:
- Keep the sprayer pressure high for a fine mist and maintain a consistent distance from the surface.
- Work in overlapping, circular or figure-eight passes to avoid stripes.
- Don’t overwork a patch while it’s flashing off; quick-drying stains will telegraph lap marks if you chase them.
- Avoid hot, sun-baked concrete and windy conditions. Shade or cooler hours are your friend.

For my patio, I laid down two coats. The first coat gave a subtle tint and highlighted the slab’s natural mottling. The second coat pulled the color toward a richer medium brown and smoothed the appearance. I let the first coat dry to the touch (it took roughly 45 minutes in mild conditions) before the second.

I did not back-roll the stain; with water-based semi-transparent products, a roller tends to leave tracks and can disturb the patterning. I reserved a microfiber roller for the sealer only.

Coverage and color

The manufacturer’s coverage range (roughly 600–700 sq ft per coat, 400–500 sq ft for two coats, depending on the surface and application method) tracked fairly closely with my experience. On an average-porosity broom-finished slab, I got just over 400 sq ft out of two coats after dilution, applied by sprayer. Very porous or etched surfaces will absorb more; tight machine-finished concrete will go farther but may show spray patterning more readily.

Color-wise, Spanish Café reads warmer in direct sun and slightly taupe in shade. Because it’s semi-transparent, the substrate shade and porosity heavily influence the outcome. That’s why a mock-up is essential—expect variance between a screen swatch and your concrete. If you need to soften the tone, a slightly higher dilution and an extra pass can yield a lighter, layered look with more visual depth.

Sealing: required for durability

This stain needs a compatible sealer to lock in color and add abrasion resistance. I used a water-based acrylic sealer in a satin finish, rolled on in two thin coats. The sealer deepened the color a half-shade and added just enough sheen to make the surface look finished. Near wet areas or underfoot traffic, consider an anti-slip additive in your topcoat; glossy sealers can get slick.

Weeks later, traffic and UV exposure haven’t shifted the tone, and cleanup is simple: broom and occasional hose down. The sealer took the brunt of light scuffs from furniture—exactly what you want.

What I liked

• Low odor and easy cleanup. Zero VOC made it comfortable to work with and a non-issue for adjacent indoor spaces.
• Versatility. It behaved predictably on concrete and sample pavers; with the right prep, it’s equally at home indoors or outside.
• Fast turnaround. Quick dry times let me complete two stain coats and the first sealer coat in a day with mild weather.
• Depth and variation. It delivered a natural-looking, variegated finish that mimics more expensive decorative concrete without specialized gear.

What could be better

• Pigment settling and clumps. The concentrate can contain stubborn pigment particles. Expect to mix aggressively and strain before spraying. Without that step, you’ll fight clogs and risk dark specks.
• Sensitivity to application technique. Drips, spitting nozzles, and overworking partially dried areas will leave marks that are hard to blend out. A quality sprayer and test pass are vital.
• Instructions are lean. The basics are there, but newer users might wish for more guidance on sprayer types, mesh filtrations, and troubleshooting.
• Price. Between the concentrate, distilled water, and a compatible sealer, this is not the cheapest path to a colored surface. The results justify it, but budget accordingly.

Tips for a smoother project

• Do a taped-off sample area with sealer before committing to the full surface.
• Mix with a drill paddle and strain through a paint filter into your sprayer.
• Keep the sprayer pressure up and use a fine fan tip for a soft, even mist.
• Work in sections out of direct sun; avoid windy conditions that accelerate flashing.
• Don’t back-roll the stain. Save rolling for the sealer.
• Plan on two coats for color depth and uniformity, then seal.

Where it fits best

Simple Stain shines on patios, pool decks, garage floors, and entryways where you want a natural, semi-transparent finish rather than a painted look. It’s also a solid choice for vertical features like block walls or stucco if you dial in a lighter dilution and fine mist. If your surface has patchy repairs or you need to hide blemishes, a solid-color coating will be more forgiving.

Final take

Simple Stain in Spanish Café delivers the look I wanted: warm, semi-transparent color with a professional finish and minimal odor. It rewards patience and good technique. The mixing and filtering step adds some labor up front, and a decent sprayer is effectively mandatory. Once those bases are covered, the application is straightforward and the results are consistent with what a water-based decorative stain should provide.

Recommendation: I recommend this stain to DIYers and pros who want a low-odor, semi-transparent finish and are willing to do proper prep, thorough mixing, and careful spraying. It’s not the cheapest route and it’s not foolproof, but with the right process it produces an attractive, durable result that stands up outdoors and cleans up easily.