G. 2x Stain Application

We rcommend that you use an acid rated respirator for the application of acid stain if you do not have adequate ventilation and fans blowing. Although our acid stain is ORMD Consumer Commodity rated we also like to be cautious with your health as well as our own. 

For an excellent concrete acid stain application all surfaces must be completely dry, prepared and tested as described above. 2x Stain should be shaken well and poured directly into a plastic sprayer with internal acid resistant plastic parts.

The sprayer should be continuously pumped to keep a constant pressure while applying concrete acid stain.

Hold the tip of the sprayer approximately eighteen to twenty-four inches from the concrete surface and spray onto the slab, being careful not to let the liquid drip out of the spray tip as this may leave visible drip marks on the concrete.

There is no need to hold the sprayer closer to the ground unless you might be "working" an edge next to a wall.

We recommend that you use a car wash brush with nylon bristles to gently scrub the concrete stain into the concrete but it is not necessary if you are applying the concrete stain yourself, just wet the concrete thoroughly with the stain.

After the first coat is applied and has completely dried, a second coat can be applied if a darker color is desired.

We recommend that you walk on the surface in clean socks or surgical booties (available at Home Depot) so as not to leave “shoe prints” on the surface. The second coat of concrete stain should be allowed to work into the concrete for 1-2 hours.

H. Neutralizing the acid stain

Due to the unique nature of 2X Stains neutralization of the stain is not necessary as with most all other acid stains. Plain water will provide as much neutralization as is necessary. Just simply wet the floor, scrub lightly to loosen the slight amount of residue that remains and shop-vac to ensure you remove any residue, usually there is little if any residue.

Our stains and method of application will save you 1/3 of the labor involved with acid staining your concrete. I don't know about you but I'm all about saving time and money.

Not only are our stains more economical but they will save you time also. It doesn't get any better than that.

If you are using another brand of acid stain check with the manufacturer as to their recommended method of neutralization. Do not use our WB Concrete Sealer on any surface that has been neutralized with ammonia.

 
Make sure that you shop-vac your floor no matter whose brand of stain you use. This is another step that the so-called experts don't advocate in the concrete acid stain application process, but it is essential to having a surface that your sealer can bond to permanently.

Your floor may appear dry but we would recommend that you leave the floor overnight with the AC on if possible and a fan to circulate the air.

The fan doesn't necessarily have to be directed onto the floor, this is just to get the air moving and get the moisture out of the area.

I. Application of Sealers

After the above step is completed you are ready to sealer your concrete. We recommend using a water-based sealer such as our Tough Seal WB sealer. This will provide you with a sealer that will protect the stained concrete and will increase the intensity of the color of the stained concrete.

Normal water-based sealers do not increase the color intensity and will leave you with a "terra-cotta pot look". Two coats should be applied with Benjamin Moore3/8" nap shed-resistant paint roller. If you don't have a Benjamin Moore close any quality paint store should have a comparable roller. Apply at a coverage rate of 250 - 300 square feet per gallon per coat.

If you are going to have a lot of foot traffic or are in a commercial location and want a high gloss shine we recommend you use our Tough Seal WB Concrete Sealer. This sealer comes in 20%, 25% qnd 30% solids.

We normally recommend you apply one coat of 20% to ensure good penetration followed by one coat of 30%. This will provide a long lasting finish when coupled with a good maintenance program of proper cleaning and applications of floor finish (what most folks refer to as wax).

We recommend that you apply three coats of Floor finish as the last step in the concrete acid stain application process, to act as a sacrificial lamb for the sealer. We recommend

Another great floor finish to use is Zep High Traffic Floor Finish which is available at Home Depot in the cleaning aisle. 

The cost is around $15.00/gal and should be applied with a rayon blend mop which is also available at Home Depot. This will also provide your slip resistance as all waxes are manufactured to what is call "co-efficient of friction" of 0.05 or greater. This is the standard the government requires.