Do It Yourself for Concrete Acid Stains
- 1). Protect all nearby areas from the acid stain. If outdoors, cover all grass, plants and surrounding fixtures with protective plastic sheeting. Use painter's tape and plastic sheeting to protect all borders and fixtures inside. You must cover any surface that you don't want stained.
- 2). Clean the concrete completely. Remove all glue, grease, wax, old paint, oil, dirt and dust. Use solvent cleaners, paint strippers, glue solvents and any material needed to create a smooth, clean concrete surface. Any of these contaminants will change the color, penetrability and texture of the acid stain; they must all be removed before you can continue.
- 3). Run the hose of a wet and dry vacuum over your concrete surface to remove all excess water from cleaning. The surface must be completely dry before continuing.
- 4). Patch holes or cracks in the concrete larger than 1/8-inch wide with a quick-drying concrete patch. Apply the patch to the area with a trowel or putty knife. Allow the patch to dry completely per product instructions before continuing.
- 5). Don protective gloves and goggles when working with acid spray; wear long clothing to protect your skin. Fill a small, acid-resistant spray bottle with the acid stain. Spray the stain along the borders, using a stiff-bristle paint brush to work the stain into the concrete. Do this quickly, as you must apply the rest of the stain while the borders are still wet.
- 6). Pour the stain material into an acid-resistant garden sprayer; cover the rest of the concrete with the spray. Work in smooth, even passes, moving either horizontally or vertically along the surface. Overlap the wet edges of each pass, as well as the borders, by about 1/2 inch to eliminate seams. Allow this coat to dry completely per product instructions before continuing.
- 7). Inspect the floor. Apply a second coat -- following the same method as the first -- to create darker color, cover seam lines or apply touch ups. Allow the final coat to dry before continuing.
- 8). Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda into a gallon of warm water. Wash every inch of the stained area with a scrub brush; the baking soda helps neutralize the acid, creating a safe surface. Rinse the surface with clean water only, and vacuum the water away with a wet and dry vacuum.
- 9). Repeat the washing with baking soda, rinsing and vacuuming once more to ensure that the acid is neutralized. Let the entire surface dry for at least 12 hours before continuing.
- 10
Seal your concrete with concrete sealer and a paintbrush, or use a 3/8-inch-nap paint roller. Coat the entire surface in one thin coat of sealer; allow it to dry completely. - 11
Remove your shoes and work only in socks to apply a second, thin coat of sealer. If the first coat is still a little tacky, it might be pulled away by your shoes. Allow the final coat of sealant to dry for 48 hours before using the surface.
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