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Do you have to etch concrete before acid staining?
You may get marks that look like water spots,” he says. Schmidt also warns against acid etching of floors before staining. A lot of people think they need to acid etch the concrete like they do before applying a paint or coating, to get the paint to adhere. All-Purpose Concrete Cleaner Removes sealers and coatings.
Do you sand concrete before staining?
If the concrete floors are particularly smooth or have been polished, you should sand them before staining. The best concrete surface for staining is rough and porous to allow good color penetration. Smooth, glossy surfaces will prevent all types of stains, even acid stains, from properly sticking to the floor.
Can you acid stain old concrete?
The answer is: yes, you can acid stain old concrete. The process for acid staining old concrete is not all that different from staining new concrete with a few exceptions.
Do I need to prime concrete before staining?
Most concrete paints generally need no concrete primer. Old slabs are different: they have had time to react with the air and the alkalinity has come down. (Always wait at least 30 days for new concrete before preparing concrete floors for painting in any case).
What happens if you don’t neutralize acid stain?
Note: If you do not properly neutralize the stain, then the sealer will lose it’s bond, which will then have to be stripped and re-applied. If you leave too much residue you could have streaking or discoloration.
How soon after pouring concrete can I acid stain it?
The concrete needs to fully hydrate and reach its required strength before acid staining. New concrete can typically be acid-stained three or four weeks after initial concrete placement.
What is the difference between acid stain and concrete stain?
The main difference between an acid stain and a water based concrete stain is how they interact with the concrete. Acid stains have a muted more natural coloring. They penetrate into the concrete’s pores and interact with it’s natural coloring.
How do you acid stain concrete that has been sealed?
You cannot acid stain concrete that has an acrylic sealer or any other type of sealer. Remove the sealer with a solvent before attempting to stain the surface. Use a caustic concrete stripper to remove all of the dirt, oil and acrylic residue before attempting to stain the concrete.
How long does concrete acid stain last?
Few materials have the longevity of concrete. And because stains permeate the concrete to infuse it with permanent color, a stained concrete floor or pavement should last a lifetime when properly maintained (see How to Protect and Maintain Stained Concrete .
Is it hard to acid stain concrete?
Acid stain is available from home improvement centers and online. Learning how to acid stain concrete isn’t difficult. Perform each step carefully before going on to the next step. Concrete should be fully cured before applying acid stain, so if your surface is new, wait 28 days before staining.
What kind of primer should I use on concrete?
Acrylic/Latex: Because concrete is porous, a water-based or acrylic primer is more likely to soak into the concrete than an oil-based primer, bonding to the substrate and allowing the paint to grip the surface. These primers will also reduce the dust on interior concrete.
Can you dilute acid concrete stain?
Can you dilute the acid stain so it can cover more square feet? Yes but when you dilute the acid stain you also dilute/dull the color because it is not a color going down. Acid stains are a very specific mix of minerals and acid that react with concrete to create a color over time with a chemical reaction.
What neutralizes acid stain?
When using an acid-based stain, be sure to remove any residue remaining on the surface so the sealer will bond properly. Use a mixture of water and detergent, adding a tablespoon of baking soda per gallon of water to neutralize any remaining acid.
Will Windex neutralize acid?
No. You can dilute either an acid or a base (or a salt solution, or other substance that dissolves in or mixes with water, like alcohol), reducing the concentration of the substance with more water.
Do you have to acid wash concrete before sealing?
The acid washing of concrete is a requirement after the concrete has cured sufficiently, in order to remove surface efflorescence and to open the pores before sealing. Floors that are acid washed before sealing will have greater colour enhancement and will appear darker than floors that have not been acid washed.
What happens if you stain concrete too soon?
Any paint or stain applied to young concrete while it’s still hardening can be negatively affected by residual moisture or the changing chemical content in the concrete. It takes about a month for all of the water to get used up in the hydration process.
Can I dilute acid stain with water?
Many contractors use nothing but water to dilute stain, but manufacturers discourage the practice and offer stain extenders — essentially acid stain without the color — for dilution purposes. You start adding too much water and you’ll find that the mineral salts will fall out of solution and no longer be soluble.
