Concrete used to be thought of as a plain surface that you couldn’t do much with, other than cover it up with something else. But nowadays, it is entirely possible {and even easy!} to stain your concrete surfaces and give them a nice color. Concrete stains come in either water or acid-based, and Bob Vila recommends using an acid-based stain because it lasts longer and looks better. Before you use an acid-based stain on concrete, it is important to note that the results can be unpredictable. Once you’ve added stain to concrete, you can’t reverse it. All you can do is add more stain to intensify the color.
The reason acid-based stain results are unpredictable is because of the nature of acid-based stain. It stains the concrete through a chemical reaction, and there are variables attached to chemical reactions that are uncontrollable. These include things like the age, location and mineral make-up of the concrete you’re staining.
Assuming that you’re going to go ahead and stain your concrete floor, let’s give you the proper steps to follow!
- The concrete must be free of any dirt, debris and residues. Step one is to scrub the concrete with a solution of TSP and water. Any stubborn stains need to be removed with a chemical degreaser or paint remover. Only use mechanical abrasion to remove stains as a last resort!
2. Cover all surfaces, walls, etc., that you do not want stained. This is really important, because the stain will most likely be impossible to remove from anything it happens to splatter onto. A 12-inch wide painter’s paper works well for this.
3. Test the stain for color on an unnoticeable area. Do just a bit at a time. If you aren’t excited about it, you can adjust the color by applying more or less stain until you are satisfied.
4. For best results, use a plastic paint sprayer to apply the stain. Don’t spray so much that there is ever any pooling of the stain. Spray about 18 inches away, in circular, even motions. Follow it up with a shop broom to help it cover evenly. You can spray on a second coat to cover any broom marks that may be left behind.
5. Once the stain is applied and drying, it will continue to color the concrete until you neutralize it. Follow the manufacturer’s directions to neutralize the stain, usually with a solution of water and detergent. Some also recommend baking soda.
6. Finally, you will want to seal the finished, stained concrete. The stain manufacturer probably has a recommended sealer for you to use. For high traffic areas, Bob Vila recommends using an epoxy underneath a coating of urethane.
Now enjoy the beauty and durability of your stained concrete floor!
