Acid staining concrete is becomming more and more popular, and  has become more affordable too. It is important to prep the surface intended for acid stain and to use the right materials. On many occasions we have seen projects that have gone wrong and in the end cost the customer more to fix. Acid staining concrete is not an exact science and will never yield a one tone perfected surface. The variations in acid stain are what make it and your floor unique.

There are  many ways and methods to stain floors. We just recently finished a beautiful job for a Dallas university, which was scored, stained with multiple colors, and then sealed with a Sherwin Williams sealer. Patterns, logos, and special designs can be cut into the surface prior to staining. Other methods include blasting, acid etching, or burning designs into the concrete surface.

Acid staining is always advertised as a do it yourself project, but not recommended. A lot of experience and know how is required to avoid costly mistakes which can ruin a floor. Not only does it require the right tools. Materials are sometimes hard to find and expensive to buy. Achieving the right color can be tricky, and sometimes a different kind of stain is required to achieve the desired look.

Acid staining is just one way to stain your floors. Other stains that are water or alcohol based are also available and some times are a better fit. Some older floors are often too dirty or stained from years of use and need to be overlayed first to re-create a good foundation for the new beautiful floor. In general all  types of concrete floors can be stained and sealed, depending on location and the shape that they are in i.e:

Patios, driveways, walkways, sidewalks, garages, walls and balconys are all good contenders for acid staining.

Please give us a call next time you decide to stain your concrete floors or patios and we’ll gladly come by to write up a proposal for you.