Using Acid Stain on Your Concrete Floor

Acid stain is a common household name, especially when you're dealing with concrete surfaces. It is a coloring process wherein you apply a certain solution made with water to the concrete floor, and the acid and inorganic salts in the concrete reacts to it. This chemical reaction results to the coloration of the concrete.

Acid stain gives your concrete a marble-like look, with blotted patches on it, adding a little sophistication on the concrete. The colors resulting form this process is usually brown, reddish brown, or green, and these blend well with the concrete floor. The beautiful blend and effects of the acid stain is what makes it attractive to many people.

You can create your own shades for the acid stain mixture by putting in the available colors that you have. You can also change the shades by applying the mixture at a different rate. This is another beauty of the acid stain. It does not have an even tone and it allows you to have a unique look to your concrete. You can even see different color patterns on the same acid stain job that you may be doing.

Acid stain can be applied to any concrete --- on walks, entrances, driveways, and even in your own house. It can be applied to both the interior and exterior of a home or building.

There is only one condition for you to apply acid stain on a concrete. Age is not a matter regarding acid stain; it can be applied to either new or old concrete. But the surface or condition of the concrete should be weighed seriously. The concrete should have a smooth surface to give more favorable results. If the concrete is chipped or cracked, the stain solution might not react well with the components in the concrete. This could result to a less than desired look on the concrete.

Preparation and application of the acid stain on the concrete is fairly easy and doable. The result will depend largely on the condition of the concrete. For old concrete, cleaning it first is necessary for a favorable result with the acid stain. Dirt, grease, and other substances might block the stain's penetration to the concrete. For new concrete, a little cleaning to scrub off laitance and unnecessary deposits will do.

It is important to plan and prepare everything for the task before applying acid stain. The acid stain solution has to mix well with the concrete for beautiful results. If you want a more sophisticated and more elaborate design for your concrete, you will have to put in more work in the applications. It may become more time-consuming and tiring. But in the end, the hard work will pay off!

After the application of the acid stain, make sure you seal or wax the floor. This will protect the stain and help bring a clean and new touch to the concrete.

It is recommended, though, that you consult with a professional if you want to use acid stain on your concrete floor.  Professional contractors know this field and can contribute to give you a shiny and well-protected concrete floor.