Staining concrete is a great and easy way to create surfaces that are durable and easy to maintain. Before you decide to stain concrete, it is vital if you understand the work it entails to stain any concrete surface. You need to understand that any mistake made when staining concrete is irreversible, unlike when staining wood or applying paint.
Although, this does not imply that you cannot stain your concrete personally. It’s better to invest in a concrete staining expert instead of messing around with acid and producing poor work. It is a cheaper option for adding that warmth, pomp, and colors that you desire to be on your countertop or floors. Staining interior concrete is an easy and fast project that can be done over the weekend. It is achievable by using a few simple tools that you can buy at your local home improvement store.
What it takes to stain a Concrete Floor
What comes to mind when you come across staining concrete? Most of us think it’s an easy and simple process. What you need to remember is that any mistake made cannot be reversed as it is permanent. Material needed for staining concrete is basic, and the steps to follow are simple. Here is what you will need; vacuum, sprayer, pressure washer, goggles, protective wear, among many others. Below are few basic steps that you need to follow when staining the concrete floor:
- Clear the area where the staining will occur
- Smooth and flatten the area where staining will occur
- Clean the concrete well
- Mask around the area where you will be staining
- Apply the concrete stain
- Seal the concrete for better results
One of the important things to keep in mind is; while it seems simple, there’s a possibility of things going wrong. And this will lead to a permanent mistake since the stain is permanent. There’re times even the most experienced and professional in staining encounter glitches.
For a beautiful outcome, it is important to follow all the processes of staining concrete. This ranges from preparing the surface to sealing the concrete. When applying stain on a large concrete, you should seek professional help when in doubt. Here are seven reasons you should consider before staining your concrete:
- Materials: The materials used are basic. But you will need to know the right material t to use while using acid stain. It can be tricky to apply stain using mops and brushes, and it’s advisable to leave that for professionals.
- Preparing the surface: Before staining any concrete, whether new or old, it is important to clear and clean the area. If the concrete is new, it is best to let it cure before staining it. This step is essential as it impacts the outcome of the stain. If the preparation wasn’t done well, then the outcome will show and vice versa.
- Product knowledge: this is another key step before staining your concrete. Water-based-stains react differently from acid-based-stains. Acid stains form a chemical reaction with the concrete to create a permanent bond. While non-reactive stains only produce colors by bonding with the concrete surface. It would be best if you understand what will be suitable for your project.
- Chemicals: Of course, acid-based-stain contains reactive chemicals compared to water-based-stains. These chemicals can be corrosive. You should have protective wear while staining using an acid-based-stain. When staining an enclosed room with poor ventilation, it’s advisable to use a water-based-stain because of acid-based-stains’ chemical components.
- The stain is permanent: You need to keep in mind once you’ve stained the concrete, there’s no going back. Before staining, you need to be sure what color blends well with your surface. You will need to do a stain test on a small part of the concrete you want to stain before staining the whole surface.
P.s
You need to remember that acid stains will penetrate through the surface, unlike paint, which can peel off and replace when needed.
- Compatibility and Sealers: This is also another aspect that you should consider. It is essential to seal stains for protection. When using acid-based-stains, you need to neutralize before applying the sealer. If this step is not done correctly, the seal will not bond well with your concrete.
- Conditions: Concrete stains require certain conditions for curing to be successful. You need to find out what temperature, air-flow, or humidity affects the curing process.
These are a few guidelines that you should always remember. You can proceed with staining yourself; if you’re up for the job. You will need to find out more about how to stain concrete surfaces.