One of the most popular articles concerning Do It Yourself Concrete Staining was written by Mr. Kirk Muhlhauser and has been viewed over 50,000 times. We felt it was important to include it here in case you have not read this well written article.

It gives a realistic viewpoint as to what concrete stains can do for your concrete surfaces and what are the realistic expectations that you can expect.

While we believe water based polymer bonded stains are superior to acrylic stains it nonetheless explains the difference between acid stains and water based stains

Cudos Mr. Muhlhauser

Do it yourself concrete staining is the cheapest and easiest way to enhance the appearance of your concrete surfaces. The alternatives, tearing out existing concrete and replacing with new or decorative overlays, are not recommended for do-it-yourselfers and can be very expensive. But before you begin your staining project there are a few things you need to know.

There are two types of concrete stains to choose from, acid stains and acrylic stains. Acid stains work by chemically reacting with free lime in the surface to produce a natural looking, translucent color. They create a mottled, variegated, multi-hued coloring. Every concrete surface reacts differently to acids stains making each job unique. Acrylic stains are waterborne and have pigments that seep into the pores and adhere to the concrete, therefore creating a more consistent, semi translucent color like that of a dye. Acrylic stains will help mask imperfections and discolorations whereas acid stains actually accentuate them.

For many surfaces, acid and acrylic stains will work equally as well, but which one you choose depends on the look you want. However, there are situations where one type will work better than the other. For older, exterior concrete (more than 15-20 yrs old) acid stains may not work because much of the free lime has leeched away. Acrylic stains are great for old concrete because of its increased porosity over time. Acid stains work well with newer concrete because of the availability of free lime. If repairs need to be made such as patching pop outs or scaling, then acrylics may be the better choice to help disguise the repairs. Any patching materials will stand out with acid stains. For smooth trowelled interior surfaces with less porosity, acid stains are usually better because they don’t require as much penetration to color the concrete.

Before beginning it’s also important to have realistic expectations. Staining can turn dull, gray concrete into a beautiful and colorful finish, but it’s impossible to know exactly how the finished product will look, especially with acid stains. Every concrete surface is different and so will accept stains differently. The exact same stain will have two different appearances with two different slabs. Even seasoned pros can’t predict the exact outcome of a staining job. For this reason, it’s not a good idea to try to exactly match the color of concrete to anything else such as brick or siding. There’s a very good chance you won’t be successful. Instead, choose a complimentary color or shade for your concrete. For instance, if you have light brown siding, then choose a dark brown stain.

The most critical part of staining is preparation. Take time in deciding how you want your concrete to look and getting the surface ready to apply the stain. You get one shot at getting it right unless you want to do a major overhaul to the surface. Do it yourself concrete staining is not a difficult process but does require an honest effort to be satisfied your finished product.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kirk_Muhlhauser

Do It Yourself Concrete Staining: Things to Know Before You Begin is a post from: How To Stain Concrete

Staining concrete is one among the most well-liked applications for reworking concrete slabs. Often called colored concrete, homeowners, designers and builders are drawn to stained concrete because of the distinctive outcome that may be achieved combining colors, applications techniques, ect. Staining concrete is one among the foremost widespread applications for reworking concrete slabs. Often called colored concrete, owners, designers and builders are drawn to stained concrete as a result of of the unique outcome that may be achieved combining colours, application techniques, etc., on cement flooring and alternative substrates. Staining concrete is very reasonable if you are doing it yourself. You should be able to complete your project for less than $.50 per sq/ft.

Staining concrete could be a ancient method or technique of making your concrete or wooden surface look new and attractive. While it’s straightforward on the eye, it additionally protects your concrete surface from the harshness of the natural elements. Staining concrete is as a lot of an art as it is a transforming project. Staining concrete is finished using a special chemical pigment that reacts with the minerals within the concrete itself, permanently changing the concrete’s color. Since the chemical reacts differently relying on the age of the concrete and also the natural variations in mineral deposits on the surface of the ground, mottling and patchiness can occur that build a varied and distinctive effect.

Alexiss Useful Suggestions To Abide By When You Are Buying Staining Concrete is a post from: How To Stain Concrete

Looking to start up my first concrete floor acid staining DIY project, 965 sq feet for a beaty salon I am setting up. My first question for the moment, can you please identify the name for this acid stain? I am putting my order ready and can’t identify which is it? Your assistance will be greatly appreciated, I am ready to place an order so your prompt reply will be great.

A.  Malay Tan diluted 2 water parts to one part stain

I would suggest you use a solvent based sealer for your floors as the will stain up to dripping of hair dye and other chemicals a little better.

You will need to call me to order for that as it has to be shipped directly from our factory

You will need 4 gallons of stain one bucket of sealer and 2 gallons of Ex Glo floor finish for the project to do it properly

Hope this helps

John

WHAT IS THE NAME FOR THIS ACID STAIN? is a post from: How To Stain Concrete

Floors may be tough, but they need to be maintained and protected as well. Without proper maintenance, you can end up having to pay a lot of money for repairs and renovations and that is not a very desirable thing all the time. In addition to this, concrete floors start looking old and boring very soon, within the very first few years. This is because concrete floors on their own do not look very appealing. So what you need is something that will help you protect your concrete floor and help you make it look better. And most importantly, it should not cost as much as a full-scale repair or renovation would cost.

This is the time when you need concrete stains. Modern concrete stains are the best solutions to all minor concrete related problems. They are very easy to use and once they are applied, they keep on protecting your concrete floor for a long time to come. And your floor will also look great throughout that time. The best thing about concrete stains is that give you the best value for money per square feet than any other concrete surface maintenance product.

Concrete stains are chemicals that can be easily applied on the concrete by any adult person. No special training is needed to handle these stains and they are not inherently toxic, so protective gear is not usually needed. You can simply pain the stain on to the surface and you are done. You should use the modern quick dry varieties to get faster results. Quick dry stains are meant to dry out in hours, not days, leaving you enough room to complete your project within one single day if necessary. You can easily turn the entire thing in to a personal home improvement project because using stains couldn’t be any simpler.

After you have applied the stain, it dries off and solidifies on the surface of your concrete flooring. Once it has dried, it starts acting like a shield against the daily wear and tear that your flooring experiences. It also protects the flooring from the dirt, grime and moisture that most floors are subjected to. This ensures that your concrete floor lasts much longer than it would’ve lasted under the usual circumstances without the stain. Stains come in great colors and shades and hence they make for excellent choices for completely reinventing your home.

These colors are usually found in two different sets – traditional and designer. As the names suggest, traditional colors are more suited to those who are looking for some sober and more common colors. While designer colors are bold statements and are more suitable for those who are looking to create a whole new style statement within a room or the entire house. The best is that you can mix up stains and get a brand new shade that is uniquely your own and does not match any of the stock shades, So get smart and creative, use a concrete stain on your concrete flooring.

By: Gen Wright

Why Your Floor Needs Concrete Stains is a post from: How To Stain Concrete

Decorative concrete can be used on both exteriors and interiors. Actually, it’s particularly attractive to families who enjoy an indoor/outdoor lifestyle, as a desired appearance can be carried from a home’s interiors to its exterior. Decorative concrete is sturdy, easy to take care of, allergen free, and one of the most fashionable trends in indoor flooring today. Add in its affordability, and you’ve got the perfect complement for your finished basement living space, restaurant decor, office surroundings, high-rise building lobby, or other indoor industrial setting.  Using overlays plus stamps, stains and dyes, pigmented concrete sealers and epoxies, templates and engraving … plus your imagination … you no longer need to tear out your worn and unattractive concrete. 

Decorative concrete is used for ornamental walls, floors, countertops, etc . For application of this, assorted supporting products like stains, conditioners, hardeners, etc . This concrete is gorgeous, versitale, durable, plus affordable. You can create a natural, rustic appearance that will not chip, crack, or peel. Ornamental Concrete is more cost effective plus performs better than natural building materials and is even simple to maintain. 

Decorative concrete is a system of adding color pattern plus texture to a plain concrete slab at the time of pouring. The finished job has the engaging 3 dimensional 2-toned impact of slate or stone plus many other effects can be acheived from ancient cobble patterns to a more classical Mediterranean Tile. This concrete is a beautiful material. Decorative concrete is great because it can be curved into any shape. Decorative concrete is the newest trend for business plus residential settings. You have seen concrete floors, driveways, sidewalks, patios plus even countertops in designer magazines and residential makeover TV shows.

Avas Valuable Advice To Abide By While You Are Buying Decorative Concrete is a post from: How To Stain Concrete

Polished concrete is quick changing into the ultimate no-wax flooring material. Due to recent advances in polishing equipment and techniques, contractors are now grinding concrete floor surfaces, whether or not new or recent to a high-gloss finish that never needs waxes or coatings. Polished concrete floor appearance like polished stone floor and it’s highly durable. Additionally, polished concrete is ornamental, practical an . Polished concrete could be a mechanical grinding and sprucing process that utilizes industrial diamonds and hardeners to level, densify, polish and finally seal the ground from within the inside of the floor surface.

Coat well, however do not create puddles. The colour can deepen with the second coat. Coatings are the materials which is use to hide up the surface to preserve from rust and to reinforce the attractiveness. Made from paint and extra additives, coatings are tremendously used for inner and outer beautification of house.

Clean any glue, grease, tape or different objects off the concrete. Apply solvent or a stripping agent if needed; use a stripping agent that mixes with water. Clean the surface employing a soap and water, followed by a pressure washer rinse. This can give a superior concrete surface that is ideal for staining. Cleaning and re-sealing of all concrete surfaces should be done on a daily basis. The frequency will depend on the number of, traffic from cars, foot-ware, water exposure, UV rays and any chemicals the concrete surface may be exposed to.

Painting concrete floors is not a permanent solution, and it will touch upon and chip over time. The other is true with stained concrete floors, once you apply the stain whatever result you get is permanent. Painting, home or industrial building has now become a piece of art. The stress isn’t simply to color the walls however to make a stunning ambience.

Abide By These Tips When Buying Unique Staining Concrete is a post from: How To Stain Concrete

Due to the extensive range of origins for slate in the natural world, it can be found in a range of shades and colors.  Slate flooring can be purchased in everything from dark charcoal shades, to powerful reds or greens.  Consumers enjoy a very broad selection of patterns to choose from when it comes to slate flooring, giving each floor a personalized look.  The cleft texture of slate flooring makes it highly tough, resisting scratches as well as general wear and tear.  The slate texture also provides a safe surface that won’t become slippery, making it a excellent choice for in the kitchen or work areas.

The combination of good stain resistance and anti-slip properties make slate one of the greatest all around kitchen appropriate flooring materials on the market.  As well as to its affordability, slate flooring benefits from a wide range of unique patterns to choose from.  Glosses can also be added to slate flooring, giving another dynamic to its uniqueness.  Installation of slate flooring can be done without professional assistance, but it requires a significant investment of time and a set of tools.  A diamond bladed saw will be required to cut the tiles.  Thinset must also be purchased along with the tile, which is used to secure the tile to the underlayment.

With a smooth concrete surface, no underlayment may be required.  With hardwood subfloors, or broken up concrete, an underlayment of concrete will be required to begin the installation the right way.  It is important that the right thinset be used with particular tile sets.  The thinset bonds the tile to the underlayment, and if done improperly the floor can eventually start shifting.  Be sure to have a large bucket and something to clean up mortar that spreads across tile surfaces.

Before installing slate flooring, check out the packaging of the slate tile.  Tiles commonly end up shattered after arriving at the store.  If any are broken, be sure that replacements match the original tile.

Slate Flooring Installation is a post from: How To Stain Concrete

There simply are two types of concrete staining namely, acid staining and acrylic staining. Acid stains are caused by the chemical reaction with free lime on the surface and give a translucent floor with natural looks.They create a mottled, variegated, multi-hued coloring.Every concrete surface reacts differently to acids stains making each job unique. The outcome of acrylic stains is more consistent and imparts semi translucent color comparable to that of a dye because they are water borne pigments that seep thru pores and remain stuck to the surface of the floor. Acrylic stains help you to camouflage defects or discolorations of the floor, but acid stains may make them somewhat conspicuous.

For many surfaces, acid and acrylic stains will work equally as well, but which one you choose depends on the look you want.

However, there are situations where one type will work better than the other. For instance, exterior concrete older than ten to fifteen years may not be to hold acid stains as it has already lost most of the free lime on its surface. Such a concrete would give excellent results with acrylic stains because of its increased porosity over time. You can’t get this with epoxy paint. Acid stains work well with newer concrete because of the availability of free lime. If the concrete is already in need of repairs and requires a bit of patch work or scaling, it will be good to use acrylic stains as it helps to disguise repairs. Such patches would begin to look apparent on being treated with acid stains. Smooth trowel led interior surfaces with less porosity give better results on being treated with acid stains that do not require so much penetration for coloring the concrete.

Rick Maselli, Editor of LevelAdvice.com, has been a home builder and remodeler for over 40 years. He is also Founder and Editor of Showroom411.com, The #1 Home Improvement Resource on the web. LevelAdvice.com offers advice and information related to all aspects of home building and home improvement.
the original article can be found here

Learn How to Stain Concrete Floor is a post from: How To Stain Concrete

Concrete dye is a penetrating color solution that does not react chemically with concrete; but rather, contains fine coloring agents – smaller particles than in stains – that penetrate the surface of the concrete.

The tools and materials you’ll need to dye concrete include:

Content Source: Bukisa – Using Concrete Dye to Spice Up Your Concrete Floor or Patio

Using Concrete Dye to Spice Up Your Concrete Floor or Patio is a post from: How To Stain Concrete