Stained Concrete
Colors and Coloring
Acid stain is not a dyeing or pigment-base coloring systems, but a chemical reaction. A mixture of water, mineral salts and a slight amount of muratic acid is applied to the floor. This chemical reaction with the existing minerals (primarily lime) over a period of one to four hours creates new earth tone colors on the floor. The floor is later scrubbed to remove excess stain and neutralized by a basic solution of ammonia and water or baking soda (less likely to cause whiting later) to help raise the ph level back to normal level. Due to inconsistencies in the surface level of concrete floor, acid staining creates a variegated or mottled appearance that is unique to each stained slab. The color penetration ranges from 1/16 to 1/32 of an inch. Older exterior concrete surfaces may not color as well as interior surfaces because the environment has leached or percolated out the mineral content. As well, any exposed aggregate (rocks) in worn concrete will not accept staining.
How to prep floor
We grind our floors to open up the surface to except the colored salts of the stain. Our grinding method do not leave any markings in the floors that will show up later in the finished floor. After grinding and profiling the floor for staining, the floor is cleaned using water and vacuums. The stain is the applied liberally in a circular motion from a acid resistant pump sprayer. Depending upon the desired look, stain can be applied in just about any manor you can think of, being careful not to show brush strokes.