Surface Preparation for Acrylic Concrete Stain

The most important part of decorating concrete with an acrylic concrete stain is surface preparation. The surface should be completely clear of all foreign substances for optimum stain penetration. Do this completely and you will be satisfied with your final results.

Remove any oil, grease, mold and mildew, rust, and efflorescence from the surface. (see removing stains) Also remove any paints or sealers that may be present and make any necessary repairs. If the concrete is no more than a few years old, it's likely to still have some sealer as this is what most contractors use for curing. After removing all those substances, wash thoroughly with a power washer. You can use a hose with a pressure nozzle and a stiff brush if you don't have access to a pressure washer. When you're done washing, wet the surface and check carefully for any water beading up on the surface. Water beading means there's still something on the surface that will inhibit stain penetration. Wash those areas again until you see no more beading. Allow the concrete to dry for 24 hours before applying stain.

If you're staining a smooth surface such as a garage or basement floor, you should acid etch the surface. Acid etching is process that uses an acidic solution to open the pores in the surface of concrete and reduce alkalinity. Most hardware stores sell Etching Solution which contains phosphoric acid. (Muriatic acid can also be used but only as last resort because it's very toxic and dangerous if not handled properly. Read the label for all safety precautions.) Use a plastic sprayer to evenly cover the surface with the etching solution and agitate with a stiff brush. When the bubbling stops (usually after 10-15 minutes) rinse thoroughly and let it dry.

Before staining an interior surface, you should check for hydrostatic pressure (moisture seeping from the ground to the surface). Take a 1ft x 1ft piece of plastic and tape it to the floor sealing off all the edges. After 24 hours, look for any moisture under the plastic. If there's moisture present, you should not apply acrylic concrete stain.

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Surface Preparation for Acrylic Concrete Stain