1. How To Stain Concrete
Floor
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2. How To Stain Concrete Floor?
Acid stained concrete can give new life to old concrete, giving it the look
of a deep marble or granite.
It is not difficult to do but because there is a great deal of variance
among concrete types and conditions, it needs to be done right in
order to look good.
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to-stain-concrete-floors.htm
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3. Clean the concrete bed thoroughly.
Make sure the surface on which the stain
will be applied is clean, free from
unwanted defects, stains, and markings,
and is ready for coloration.
4. Do an test in an inconspicuous spot
Because acid stains react differently to each type of surface to
which they are applied it is imperative that a sample is done on
the actual concrete or surface that is going to receive the
treatment.
Even though additional variables may be encountered during the
application, doing an onsite sample is the best way of
predetermining how the stain will react with a specific substrate.
Ensure that the methods and timing you use on the sample are the
same as how the rest of the surface will ultimately be treated.
5. Be creative
Applying acid stain is a functional as well as artistic exercise. When
applying the stain it is necessary to understand the technique as
well as how much to apply.
Every now and then potentially great jobs turn into a disaster
because of improper application methods.
Too little product won't give complete coverage, nor will it etch the
surface sufficiently to deeply deposit the color.
Too much product on the other hand can cause unwanted puddling
and pooling and over react the areas where it has pooled on the
surface.
If scrubbing isn't done with a natural flow and pattern, mop lines
and obvious swirls may appear.
6. Clean up
Remove the acid residue and neutralize the surface. This is of key
importance to the success of and acid stained concrete finish.
Residue from the concrete acid etching must be removed and the
surface neutralized to ensure proper adhesion of the sealant or
coating system.
Note: the surface is still subject to staining and damage at this
point, and care should be taken to thoroughly wet and neutralize
the entire area to avoid boot prints, splashed residue marks and
other man-made blemishes.
7. Allow to dry
Once the concrete is sufficiently dry, a sealant of coating should
be applied.
This is usually the last stage of installation but must be done right,
as an improperly applied sealer system can show roller lines,
leave lint and debris in the finish, or delaminate or flake off the
surface.
Application techniques include spraying, cross hatch rolling, back
rolling, and buffing in the case of a wax finish.
8. Be realistic
There is a lot of work that goes into a stained concrete finish, but
like anything else, practice makes perfect.
If you choose to hire a professional to do the work, make sure you
choose someone who has the skills and abilities that match the
level of difficulty of the job at hand.
Visit past jobs they have done, and talk to some of the owners of
the floors.
9. Tips
Exteriors, walls, and other concrete surfaces can also be colored or
decorated using concrete acid stain. For example, concrete
blocks can be decorated before installation as a frieze on the
outside of a structure. A concrete staircase or back patio is
another good possibility.
Recognize that when finishing with a translucent coating (i.e., the
acid stain), the pattern and colors of the substrate will show
through. This is what makes each concrete slab unique.
10. Warnings
Even if you hire the best acid stain concrete contractor in your area, their abilities
will depend on the surface you give them to work with. It may not be possible
to completely hide and blend the color with old or badly stained and damaged
concrete.
The concrete slab is the decorative concrete artist's canvas, and ideally is free
from stains, spills, paint, and other markings. This will ensure that the finish
will be everything you hoped for and expected when you chose to use acid
stain as a finish.
Note that concrete stain is similar to wood stain but can actually highlight and
intensify the variations found in the concrete. This includes natural as well as
man-made blemishes and markings.
Realize that the color charts provided by manufacturers are meant as a guide
only.
11. Xtreme Polishing Systems
2150 SW 10th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Phone: (954) 601-5734
E-mail: info@xtremepolishingsystems.com
Website: www.xtremepolishingsystems.com
Call for Concrete Floor @ (954) 601-5734
