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How to remove concrete sealer before acrylic staining

by Barb
(VA)

Q. I moved into a five year old home that has a plain concrete backyard patio, in excellent shape,no stains of any sort, but major ugly. I would like to acrylic stain it. Your site said to remove the sealer that contractors use to dry the concrete before staining. How do I tell if it ever has been sealed.

A. The ability of water to penetrate into the surface will determine if there's any sealer on the concrete. Pour some water on it and see how quickly the concrete darkens. If it darkens instantly, then there is no sealer present. If there's any beading of the water or it takes a few moments to darken, then there is a sealcoat.
After five years, any sealer that the contractor applied is probably gone. Test the entire surface of the patio before proceeding with the staining. Make sure you acid etch and neutralize first.

If there is a sealer present, then the easiest way to remove it from broom finished concrete is to grind it off. You can used chemical strippers for slick finished concrete.