Acid staining concrete has become more and more popular in recent years, with good reason.
Acid staining concrete is a process by which you can change the look and even texture of your concrete surface to be anything you’d like. It’s grown in popularity for outdoor spaces, garages, and industrial spaces.
It’s an affordable option that allows you transform a floor or ground surface without expensive materials, and it’s even possible for some people to DIY over a few days. Today we’ll help familiarize you with the process.
The Acid Staining Process in 4 Steps
- Prep the Surface. It’s critical that the concrete surface has been adequately prepared for acid staining, or else the results can be uneven, unpredictable, and even chemically dangerous. You can wash down your concrete and use a chemical cleaner designed for cement, or you can even grind down the surface to remove stains or chemicals. You can also take this time to mask or tape off edges and doorways to prevent transfer.
- Apply Stain. Mix and dilute the stain according to manufacturer recommendations. Then you apply the stain with a sprayer, sponge, or cloth according to your preference or comfort. Be sure to start in a corner and work your way to an exit so you don’t literally “paint yourself into a corner.” Manage seams and edges carefully. Keep the area fully ventilated to prevent inhalation of strong chemicals.
- Cure. Though the stain can appear dry to the touch after half an hour, it usually takes most stains about 24 hours to fully cure. It’s important to wait at least several hours to see the saturation and color, and possibly to see how the stain looks in different hours of sunlight. Then you can apply additional coats as desired to achieve your effect. Clean. Most stains require a quick splash of water and neutralization with ammonia or other liquid. Sometimes a sweep or light brushing is needed to free up any remaining residue.
- Seal. You need to choose a sealant that works for your individual situation. There are a variety of sealants for different purposes, and most will require two coats. Find one that meets your needs for indoor/outdoor, light/heavy wear, high/low gloss, and more. Failing to properly seal your stained concrete can prevent it from lasting a lifetime.
While this process is a potential DIY project, it can quickly turn into much more than you bargained for. For flawless, fast, affordable, professional acid stained concrete – call Hard Rock Concrete Coatings.
