Acid Staining |
 Acid stained concrete is becoming a popular floor covering in southern California. Concrete is a material that can be easily dressed up with acid stains to create a look that can range from warm and subtle to bright and startling. A correctly applied acid stain, sealed with a quality sealer, can provide many years of service to homeowners wanting a contemporary look with low maintenance requirements.
Acid stains range in color from dark earthtones to ruddy reds, rich, deep greens, and azure blues. They can be applied to create a consistent faux finish, or templated with borders, modellos, and stencils to create intricate, artful designs that can give a concrete floor a unique and attractive appearance.
Acid staining first involves preparing the concrete for the stain. This means aggressively cleaning the concrete with a high alkaline concrete cleaner, possibly sanding the concrete to remove mastics, glues, and other surface contaminants, then etching the surface of the concrete to ensure a proper bond with the acid stain. The stain is usually sprayed onto the concrete using an acid resistant pump sprayer. Once applied, the stain can be broomed, hand rubbed, or sponged to create a specific look, and then sealed with a good quality topical sealer to protect its color and extend the life of the stain.
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