INSL-X TuffCrete · Waterborne acrylic concrete stain
Stain it. Seal it.
Walk on it tomorrow.
A water-based acrylic that colours and seals patios, walkways, pool decks, basement floors and masonry walls. One coat for a stain look, two for solid colour. It resists fading and scuffs, and cleans up with soap and water.
INSL-X TuffCrete Waterborne Acrylic Waterproofing Concrete Stain
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INSL-X TuffCrete Waterborne Acrylic Concrete Stain and Sealer
INSL-X TuffCrete is a water-based acrylic concrete stain and sealer for interior and exterior masonry. It colours and seals concrete against moisture on patios, walkways, pool decks, balconies, basement floors and walls. Use one coat for a stain look or two coats for a solid colour.
Key Features
- Stains and seals in one product.
- Resists fading, scuffs and abrasion.
- Retards spalling and dusting of the concrete.
- Fast: recoat in 4 hours, light foot traffic in 24.
- Soap-and-water clean-up, MPI #58.
Where to Use It
Concrete, brick, stucco and block, horizontal or vertical, inside or out: patios, walkways, pool decks, balconies, basement floors, walls and columns. Not for driveways, garage floors or anything cars drive on (use GarageGuard 1-Part), wood, or immersion.
Colours and Sizes
Clear, Tintable White, Grey Pearl and Light Grey, in 3.79 L. The colours dry to a satin finish, and Clear dries glossy.
Specs & Coverage
| Coverage | 450–550 sq ft per 3.79 L per coat |
| Coats | 1 for a stain look, 2 for solid colour |
| Finish | Satin (25–30 at 60°). Clear: gloss (80+) |
| Dry time (25 °C, 50% RH) | Tack-free 30 min. Recoat 4 h. Light foot traffic 24 h, heavy 72 h |
| Apply at | 10–32 °C, out of direct sun |
| Application | Nylon brush, short-nap roller or spray. Don't thin |
| VOC | Under 200 g/L |
| Clean-up | Soap and water |
Application Guide
- Let new concrete cure 30 days.
- Degrease and rinse.
- Etch bare concrete to a medium-fine sandpaper feel. Sand the gloss off painted or sealed concrete instead.
- Let it dry, then apply one or two coats, 4 hours apart.
FAQ
1How much TuffCrete do I need?
Use the calculator above. Each 3.79 L covers 450–550 sq ft per coat. A 12 × 16 ft patio is 192 sq ft, so one can covers one coat, or two coats for a solid colour. Rough or porous concrete uses more, so plan on the low end.
2Stain look or solid colour?
One coat gives a stain look, with some of the concrete showing through. Two coats give an opaque, solid finish. Let the first coat dry 4 hours before the second.
3Does it waterproof concrete?
It's a waterproofing stain and sealer, so it seals masonry against moisture. It isn't made for immersion, so don't use it inside a pool or on anything that stays underwater.
4Do I need to etch the concrete?
Bare concrete has to be porous. Most horizontal concrete needs acid etching until it feels like medium-fine sandpaper. Very smooth or dense concrete may need blasting. Never etch concrete that's painted or sealed.
5Can I use it on my driveway or garage floor?
No. It isn't made for driveways, garage floors or anything cars drive on. Use GarageGuard 1-Part instead.
6Can I use it on a pool deck?
Yes, on the deck, but not inside the pool. Coatings can get slippery when wet, so Benjamin Moore suggests an anti-slip aggregate where needed. Sure Step adds grip on steps and edges.
7How soon can I walk on it?
It's dry to the touch in 30 minutes and ready for a second coat in 4 hours. Light foot traffic after 24 hours, and full use after 72 hours. Cool, damp weather takes longer.
8Can it go over old paint or sealer?
Yes, if it's sound. Scrub off dirt and grease, rinse, dry, and sand off all gloss. Try a test area first. Don't acid-etch a painted or sealed surface.
9What colours does it come in?
Clear, Tintable White, Grey Pearl and Light Grey. The colours dry to a satin finish, and Clear dries glossy. Tintable White can be tinted, so ask our team about a custom colour.
10When can I apply it?
When the surface and the air are between 10 °C and 32 °C. Stay out of direct sun and off hot surfaces, so in summer work early or late in the day. New concrete needs 30 days to cure.
Canada Shipping
- Enjoy free shipping in Canada on orders over $249. Yukon, NWT, Nunavut not included.
Winter Shipping:
- From December to April, shipping outside of Ontario and Quebec is limited.
- Returns accepted within 35 days from the date of delivery.
- Custom tinted paints are classified as Final Sale items and are not eligible for return or store credit.
Project finder
What are you coating?
Tap your project. We'll tell you if TuffCrete is right and how to prep, or point you to something that is.
Coverage calculator
How much do I need?
We use 450 sq ft per 3.79 L, the low end of Benjamin Moore's coverage, because concrete soaks up more than you'd think.
One coat gives a stain look. Two give a solid colour. Doing walls or steps too? Add them up and use “I know the sq ft”. Buy all your cans at once and mix them together so the colour matches.
Compare
TuffCrete or another floor coating?
TuffCrete is for foot traffic. Cars, colour matching and grip each have their own product.
TuffCrete
- Best for
- Patios, walkways, pool decks, basement floors and masonry walls.
- What you get
- Satin acrylic stain. Clear, white or grey.
- From
GarageGuard 1-Part
- Best for
- Garage floors, driveways and basement floors.
- What you get
- Epoxy-modified acrylic that stands up to hot tires.
- From
Floor & Patio
- Best for
- Painted porches, steps and floors in any Benjamin Moore colour.
- What you get
- Low-sheen floor enamel for wood or concrete.
- From
Sure Step
- Best for
- Steps, pool decks and anywhere that gets wet.
- What you get
- Textured, skid-resistant acrylic.
- From
Specs
The details.
| Type | Waterborne acrylic stain and sealer |
|---|---|
| Finish | Satin, 25–30 @ 60°. Clear is glossy, 80+ |
| Colours | Clear, Tintable White, Grey Pearl, Light Grey |
| Coverage | 450–550 sq ft per 3.79 L per coat |
| Coats | 1 for a stain look, 2 for solid colour |
| Film | 2.9–3.6 mils wet, 0.8–1.0 mils dry |
| Dry time | Tack-free 30 min. Recoat 4 h. Light foot traffic 24 h, heavy 72 h |
| Apply at | Surface and air 10–32 °C. Not in direct sun or on hot surfaces |
| Apply with | Nylon brush, short-nap roller, or airless, HVLP or conventional spray |
| Thinning | Don't thin |
| VOC | Under 200 g/L. MPI #58 |
| Not for | Driveways, garage floors, vehicle traffic, wood or immersion |
| Clean-up | Soap and water |
How to apply
Etch, rinse, stain.
- Let new concrete cure at least 30 days.
- Degrease with a heavy-duty cleaner and rinse well.
- Etch bare concrete until it feels like medium-fine sandpaper. On painted or sealed concrete, sand off the gloss instead.
- Let it dry, and mix your cans together so the colour matches.
- Cut in, then roll to natural breaks like joints, out of direct sun.
- Second coat after 4 hours for solid colour.
- Walk on it after 24 hours. Full use after 72.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
How much TuffCrete do I need?
Use the calculator above. Each 3.79 L covers 450–550 sq ft per coat. A 12 × 16 ft patio is 192 sq ft, so one can covers one coat, or two coats for a solid colour. Rough or porous concrete uses more, so plan on the low end.
Stain look or solid colour?
One coat gives a stain look, with some of the concrete showing through. Two coats give an opaque, solid finish. Let the first coat dry 4 hours before the second.
Does it waterproof concrete?
It's a waterproofing stain and sealer, so it seals masonry against moisture. It isn't made for immersion, so don't use it inside a pool or on anything that stays underwater.
Do I need to etch the concrete?
Bare concrete has to be porous. Most horizontal concrete needs acid etching until it feels like medium-fine sandpaper. Very smooth or dense concrete may need blasting. Never etch concrete that's painted or sealed.
Can I use it on my driveway or garage floor?
No. It isn't made for driveways, garage floors or anything cars drive on. Use GarageGuard 1-Part instead.
Can I use it on a pool deck?
Yes, on the deck, but not inside the pool. Coatings can get slippery when wet, so Benjamin Moore suggests an anti-slip aggregate where needed. Sure Step adds grip on steps and edges.
How soon can I walk on it?
It's dry to the touch in 30 minutes and ready for a second coat in 4 hours. Light foot traffic after 24 hours, and full use after 72 hours. Cool, damp weather takes longer.
Can it go over old paint or sealer?
Yes, if it's sound. Scrub off dirt and grease, rinse, dry, and sand off all gloss. Try a test area first. Don't acid-etch a painted or sealed surface.
What colours does it come in?
Clear, Tintable White, Grey Pearl and Light Grey. The colours dry to a satin finish, and Clear dries glossy. Tintable White can be tinted, so ask our team about a custom colour.
When can I apply it?
When the surface and the air are between 10 °C and 32 °C. Stay out of direct sun and off hot surfaces, so in summer work early or late in the day. New concrete needs 30 days to cure.
Do you ship, or can I pick up?
We ship across Canada, free on most orders over $249. Pick-up is free at our Rockwood Village store, 1292 Eglinton Ave. E, Mississauga, and most orders are ready within 4 hours.
Ready to refresh your concrete?
Not sure what's on your concrete or which product fits? Send us a photo and ask our team.