What is Concrete Acid Stain?
Author:Rusin Medical
When you think of concrete, generally you might envision a pale gray color such as on a porch, sidewalk or driveway. Fortunately concrete acid stain allows you to mix it up and change that dull color from gray to a more earthy brown, tranquil blue, or minty green. Concrete acid stain can be mixed at the concrete factory before it is brought to the home, or added in powder or liquid form if you are only mixing a few bags of concrete. Staining concrete that has already been laid will only penetrate so deep. Concrete acid stain is not easily controlled because the metallics in the stone interact with the stain making the hue lighten and darken. The color won't be uniform throughout the slab because of certain variables such as the amount of water in the concrete, the outside temperature, and the age of the cement. Fortunately this variation creates a shabby chic appearance to the stone.
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What is Concrete Acid Stain?[/caption]My husband and I had a new patio poured last weekend and had the concrete company add a desert sand color to the mix before they brought it out. As the concrete was poured, the medium brown color was apparent because of the wetness of the concrete. As the concrete dried the color faded, showing light and dark areas. After the concrete had cured somewhat, my husband proceeded to stamp it with a design. When the concrete had cured completely, he sprayed a glossy water sealer over the top. The patio has a nice sheen of brown that lightens and darkens in sections making it look rustic and chic at the same time.
Concrete acid stain can also be used on sidewalks, driveways and basement floors that have already been poured. Staining older concrete can give it new life and help add color to an otherwise drab area. Just like newly laid concrete with the stain already mixed in, staining older concrete will have the same color effect with certain areas lighter and others darker. A concrete acid stain is different from staining wood. While the stain on wood stays the same color, the hues evolve as stain is applied to concrete. As the acid reaches the lime within the concrete, it causes a chemical reaction that can vary throughout the slab of concrete, resulting in different hues of the color you have chosen. So you must not expect the color to the same throughout the entire slab of concrete or you will be disappointed.
The acid in the concrete acid stain is what allows the color to penetrate into the floor, sidewalk or driveway. The acid burns through tiny openings in the concrete surface, allowing the stain to penetrate to the limestone so it can create the color texture you have chosen. You may be able to apply the acid stain yourself, but concrete professionals know exactly how to apply it and when and what to use to neutralize the stain. Normally the concrete has to be cleaned and cracks or holes repaired before the staining can begin. The stain is normally sprayed or brushed onto the concrete, and then worked into the pores with the use of a stiff bristle broom. The concrete professionals allow the color to deepen for a certain length of time, then neutralize the acid. A water sealant is applied after the concrete surface has dried.
Consider adding a design or pattern to a new concrete floor along with the stain. You can choose from different designs including brick, flowers, or checkerboard. Incorporating both design and color to your interior or exterior concrete will invigorate a boring space into a showroom.
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