To neutralize the acid stain, you can use a baking soda solution by mixing 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda per gallon of water. Once the stain has been given adequate time to react and the residue has dried, you can apply the baking soda solution by spraying or pouring it over the entire surface of the floor.
Allow the stain to dry for a full 8 hours or overnight before neutralizing the stain. This will ensure the stain penetrates into the surface completely.
A residue will usually form during the drying stage. Some acid stain colors will have a heavier residue while others will have hardly any. Regardless though, the acid stain residue must be neutralized and rinsed off with clean water.
Clean up: When the stain has set for a minimum of 4 hours, neutralize with 1 cup of ammonia to 5 gallons of water. During this proce, be careful not to walk on, or track wet footprints on any dry concrete areas, for it may leave permanent marks. Use a mop and bucket or a wet/ dry vacuum to clean up the residue water.
A solution of 40 parts water to 1 part muriatic acid, a scrub brush and cotton rags will help remove the stain. Keep in mind that acid stains are not soluble in water.
Baking Soda
Salt and commercial ice-melt formulations can stain — or actually eat away — the concrete around your house.
Acid Staining
Acid stains are a reactive coloring process that penetrates into the porous concrete surface. This is probably the most permanent of all coloring options but is usually limited to eight colors.
Baking soda is a good treatment for immediate relief from occasional acid reflux. The recommended dosage for adults is one 1/2 tsp. dissolved in a 4-ounce glass of water.
1 mole HCl neutralizes by 1 mol baking soda. So,0.5 mole HCl neutralizes by 0.5 mol baking soda. Hence, 42 g of baking soda is needed to neutralize 500 mL of hydrochloric acid (1M).
Allow the acid stain to penetrate the entire concrete surface and fully develop its color for from 5 to 24 hours (check manufacturer's instructions for exact timing). The longer you leave the acid stain on, the deeper the final hue will be.
They may be used on everything from concrete floors and kitchen counters to pool decks and driveways, both inside and out. So in saying that acid stain can last 5 to 20 years depending on many factors.
Any concrete that is not properly neutralized will begin decomposing immediately. It may take time for the damage to reach the surface where you can see it, but it is happening and is usually irrepairable.
Some etching products require a neutralizing solution to complete the process. The above-mentioned DRYLOK® products do not require a neutralizing solution, but if you're using another product, be sure to follow the package directions.
Re-stain Your Concrete
Ensure the floor is clean and dry. Take your new (and quality) acid stain and apply it to the surfaces. This should penetrate the surfaces properly and come up with a desirable hue. But you should keep in mind that you might not have control over the outcome of the application.
To create your own neutralizer at home, mix 1/4 cup of baking soda with four cups of water. Purchase: Your chemical peel purchase will include detailed instructions for the application, neutralization and aftercare of your chemical peel.
Add the baking soda solution slowly to the item with hydrochloric acid, pouring no more than 1/2 gallon at a time. Wait five minutes between each 1/2 gallon pour until you run out of the water and baking soda solution. Test to ensure the acid has been neutralized.
Chemistry lab protocols traditionally recommend sodium carbonate (soda ash) or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to neutralize acid spills. Even today, most working laboratories rely on a mixture of baking soda and water to neutralize the occasional small acid spill.
Healthline goes on to say that drinking too much baking soda — more than 3½ teaspoons or 1½ teaspoons for those over 60 — can also lead to a heart attack. There are plenty of other reactions people can experience due to the medications they take each day.
Baking soda is mildly alkaline [around a 9 on the PH scale, which is alkaline from 7 to 14 and acidic from 0 to 7], vinegar is pretty acidic [around 2.4 when diluted at 5 percent].
Good rule of thumb: I usually use around 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda per 1 cup of flour in a recipe. Baking soda CAN leaven a baked good when exposed to heat.
“But the real hazard is inhaling the finely atomized particles when you're spraying acid stain. If you do it repeatedly you can get pulmonary edema, which is basically water in your lungs. Plus, your lungs can get burned from the hydrochloric acid base and the iron salts. It's all nasty stuff to breathe in.”
Acid staining damages the concrete to some extent and will need to receive some form of a resinous coating on top to be usable in most business settings. While it does give it a flashier look than polishing, acid stained concrete will always be subject to damaging easier than polished concrete.
Step 1: If the acid stains are fresh or recent, take a generous amount of baking soda to sprinkle over the stain. Whereas if the acid stain is old, you can make a thick consistency paste of baking soda with water and apply it on the stain to cover the whole area. Step 2: Wipe it off after a few minutes with a cloth.