How to Apply Lithochrome Color on Concrete
- 1). Clean the concrete slab where you intend to apply the stain as thoroughly as possible, removing any dirt, debris or stains that may either interfere with stain application or show through the final stain coloring. Sweep the dirt or debris from the surface using a stiff-bristled broom. Mop away tough-to-remove dirt using a pH-neutral cleanser and then remove any oil or other staining using a concrete degreaser and a scrub brush.
- 2). Rinse the concrete clear of any cleaners with clean water and then remove the rinse water from the surface of the concrete with a wet vacuum.
- 3). Mask off any surfaces adjacent to the concrete with masking tape. Place masking tape over any portion of the concrete you don't wish to stain as well.
- 4). Pour the Lithochrome tint into the base and mix thoroughly using a power mixer. Pour the mixed stain into an HVLP sprayer and then spray the stain onto the surface of the concrete.
- 5). Cover small sections of the slab at a time, working from the concrete edge farthest from the entrance back toward the entrance. Use a steady back and forth motion with the sprayer to apply the stain evenly. Use a light layering of the stain to achieve a light translucent color depth and a moderate layering for a deeper coloring on to the concrete. Wait four hours for the coating of stain to dry.
- 6). Apply a second coat of stain to even the color out. Use the same process as the first coat for complete coverage of the concrete surface. Wait an additional 24 hours for the second coat to dry.
- 7). Cover the stained surface with a coating of concrete sealer compatible with the Lithochrome stain. Roll the sealer over the stained concrete using a low-nap paint roller, overlapping the rows by about 20 percent to ensure complete coverage. Remove any excess sealant with a clean dry cloth and then wait 48 hours for the sealer to dry before removing the masking tape and using the stained slab.
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