Water-based Acid stain is a liquid colouring agent that etches and permanently changes the colour of concrete resulting in a powerful and dramatic concrete surface.
Typically, acid stains are a more durable choice for exterior concrete stain projects than water-based formulas. However, water-based stains will do fine outside if re-sealed frequently.
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.
Using natural products such as iron sulfate or copper sulfate to stain concrete is an easy, economical and environmentally friendly way to give old concrete a new look. Step 1: Use a mild detergent and a scrub brush to clean the concrete thoroughly. Every imperfection will show through the stain.
Your concrete patio, driveway, or porch can develop rust stains if it comes in frequent contact with water flowing out of natural stone, or water rich in minerals. The minerals can accumulate, get oxidized, and turn reddish-brown.
Leaf marks on concrete are not permanent, but they can be difficult to remove. The same organic substances that create color in the leaves can stain a concrete surface. Fresh stains are easier to remove than older stains.
Oil will break down the sealant/finish on the top layer and seep into the tiny pores of the concrete, creating a permanent stain, if not taken care of. It's best to take care of even a minor stain, right away!
Durability of Stained Concrete
And because stains permeate the concrete to infuse it with permanent color, a stained concrete floor or pavement should last a lifetime when properly maintained (see How to Protect and Maintain Stained Concrete .
Etching – Vinegar's ability to dissolve CaCO3 will dull your marble, travertine, concrete and terrazzo surfaces. It may “clean” the surface but it is also dissolving pits into the finish and effectively dulling it.
Most stains on concrete floors can be removed quickly and easily, but a lot depends on how old the stain is and how porous the concrete surface is. Rust, oil, grease, paint or glue stains each have a recommended stain removal technique.
Bleach. Does a large area of your concrete need a good cleaning? Fill a bucket with warm water and about ¾ a cup of liquid bleach and start mopping. Let the bleach solution sit for a few minutes before using a bucket with clean water to mop up the bleach solution.
Acid stain can be one of the cheapest things you can do and it provides a great bang for your buck. This look is achieved by creating a chemical reaction that alters the color of concrete. Concrete acid stain contains a mixture of water, mineral salts, and muriatic acid.
The deep tonality of coffee can also be used to stain concrete.
– staining one yourself is a surprisingly easy task (although you'll want to avoid one major pitfall we fell into). So anyone with a garage, sunroom, basement, porch, or patio with a concrete floor should seriously consider this super simple process that you can do without any fancy tools or equipment.
CHOOSE A CONCRETE STAIN IF:
You're working on an exterior surface. Stains are better able to withstand ultraviolet light and are also less likely to wash away when exposed to the elements. If you're set on using a dye, you'll need to apply a UV sealer—even if your installation is located indoors!
To sum it up, most interior projects and all exterior projects choosing between concrete stain or paint are likely better served by a stain solution. Furthermore, horizontal surfaces are best benefited from an acid stain, while vertical surfaces require a professional mineral stain solution.
So long as you properly neutralize and rinse the concrete well a couple of times, it should be fine. Note: If you do not properly neutralize the stain, then the sealer will lose it's bond, which will then have to be stripped and re-applied. If you leave too much residue you could have streaking or discoloration.
Acid stains are one of the oldest ways to color concrete. Most acid stains are a mixture of water, hydrochloric acid, and acid-soluble metallic salts. They work by penetrating the surface and reacting chemically with the hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) in the concrete.
How deep does the acid stain react through the concrete surface? Concrete thickness can vary from ¼” to over 3′. However, depending on the finish (how it was troweled) and porosity of the concrete surface, the penetration of the acid reaction may be only 1/16″ – 3/16″.
Although concrete stain is permanent and won't flake off like paint, it penetrates only the top layer of the concrete surface and will eventually wear away as the surface is worn by traffic or weather exposure.
Affordability. Applying an epoxy floor coating will cost between $3 and $10 per square foot, which is quite affordable than the $5- $12 price tag that a high-end concrete staining will cost you.
Solid wood stains. Just like regular paint, solid stains hide the grain of the wood, and the best should last three to five years on a deck, the longest of the three types of stains.
Is Stained Concrete Expensive? Starting at just $2 per square foot, a stained concrete floor is less expensive than tile, wood, or natural stone flooring. However, as you add customization, the price rises and becomes comparable to more expensive flooring like slate or marble.