Decorative Concrete
Information Library Archive
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ACID-BASED CONCRETE STAINING TIPS & TRICKS:
Planning | Preparation | Application | Finishing & Sealing
Application Procedures: Overview
The most effective way to apply chemical stain to a large area is by spraying and scrubbing the stain in, a process that requires at least two people. However, stains can be applied by with sponge and bristle brushes, rags, and sponges. No matter what method you use, keep the stain moving and maintain a wet edge.
Application Procedures:
Tools & Equipment
There are many different types of equipment that may be used in the application of chemical stains.
Before staining:
Painter's tape
Visqueen
Orange fluorescent chalk
For surface preparation:
A shot-blasting machine opens the surface of a polymer modified self-leveling system so that it will take stain beautifully.
For sawcutting:
gas operated walk behind machines
dry cut grinders
wet cut grinders
dustless grinders
You can use segmented blades or continuous blades with a circular saw.
Hand dremels are useful for terminating cuts in small, confined areas.
Use a vacuum attachment to control dust with your saw.
Four-inch angle grinders are excellent for completing a variety of tasks in small, tight areas.
For staining:
Pump-up sprayer
Sponge brushes
Acid-resistant brush
For sealer application:
Rollers, sponge pads and lambswool applicators are useful for applying sealer. Even if the package says that the roller is lint-free, it isn't. Take the lint off of your roller before you use it or the lint will mar your surface.
A sponge mop is a great way to apply sealer to small areas. For tight, confined areas, especially borders, this works well.
Air-sprayers are good for applying sealer outdoors.
For applying floor finish:
Use a rayon mop to apply floor finish. Cotton mops are used to pick things up off of a floor. Rag mops, especially rayon mops, are used to put things back on the floor.
Application Procedures:
Methods
There are several ways to apply stain depending on the area.
A sponge brush for small areas.
A stiff bristle brush.
And by spraying and scrubbing in the stain on large areas.
Make sure they are well masked.
Application Procedures:
Tips & Tricks
Pay close attention to the angle of the spray stream. For example, make sure that it's angled away from the saw cuts. (This will reduce or eliminate bleed-through).
It's not necessary to stain 100% of every floor surface. Attractive designs can be accomplished using Chemstain as an accent.
With imprinted concrete, stain can be used to add depth or simulate natural materials on as little as 10% of the surface.
It's often more cost-effective to stain all areas of a project with the lightest color, then return with the dark stain for the areas that require it. This reduces the time required for masking.
Stain small areas with brushes. Foam brushes are better than bristle brushes because:
they hold stain better
they leave fewer visible brush strokes
they are less likely to drip
You can cut foam brushes down to the size you need, even at an angle or a point when staining in very small, confined areas.
Choose the size brush that's appropriate to the width of the area being stained. If you're staining an 8" wide border, use an 8" or similarly sized brush - a smaller brush will leave brush strokes where you go over the space.
Consider designing borders that conform to standard brush sizes. The stain application will be neater.
Contain your Chemstain by putting a shallow plastic container underneath your stain bucket. If you drip or spill chemical stain, it may become part of your floor. Protect against that by using a non-absorbent base to catch drips.
Sealer can be used as a "resist" to modify a design and create special effects. For example, use a sea sponge to apply sealer sparingly to a particular area. After the sealer is dry, it will resist any acid stain applied over it. Then if you come back with a second color, the stain won't penetrate where the sealer has been applied. This is a technique that can give you an attractive effect.
Application Procedures: Do's & Don'ts
When applying stain to a design that incorporates multiple, alternating colors be careful to prevent each color of stain from reaching adjacent areas.
Masking the area off will effectively contain the stain color.
Spray away from the masking.
Place paint shields in the saw cuts to protect the edge.
Apply light colors first and proceed to the darkest color. (In the event of an error or bleed-through, the darker stain will usually hide the traces of any lighter stain underneath it).
Continue to Finishing & Sealing
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