If the acid stain is recent or fresh, you need to sprinkle a large amount of baking soda over the stain. Ensure that you completely cover the stain with a thick layer of baking soda. If the stain is older, make a paste of baking soda and water. Then rub the baking soda or it paste off with a dry and clean cloth.
Acid staining is a chemical reaction that permanently changes the color of the concrete surface. If you want to stain old concrete, using a true acid stain is always the best option.
Allow the acid stain to penetrate the entire concrete surface and fully develop its color for from 5 to 24 hours (check manufacturer's instructions for exact timing). The longer you leave the acid stain on, the deeper the final hue will be.
If you're planning on sealing your concrete, this is the most important step. If you do not neutralize and clean the floor with Neutra Clean™, your Kemiko sealer cannot bond correctly. More about Kemiko Neutra Clean™ Neutralizer and Degreaser. More about Kemiko Stone Tone™ Concrete Acid Stain.
Or use 4 ounces of household ammonia to 1 gallon of water. Sprinkle your neutralizing solution over the part of the floor that was acid etched and let it sit for a minimum of 10 minutes. When time is up, rinse the neutralized solution with your hose into a drain or out the garage (if local water codes allow it).
Neutralize with water and either baking soda, t.s.p., or ammonia and then final rinse twice with clean water only. We recommend using 12 to 16 ounces of ammonia per mop bucket.
Acid on an acid stain should set it. Using both alkaline and vinegar should remove most stains that are acidic or alkaline. If you encounter a stain or dye that cannot be removed with alkaline or acidic compounds, oxidizers that use oxygen like bleach or peroxide can also work.
Acid stains are a reactive coloring process that penetrates into the porous concrete surface. This is probably the most permanent of all coloring options but is usually limited to eight colors.
Since the color comes from a chemical reaction, there is no easy way to change the color of acid stained concrete; you can add another layer of concrete on top and stain this a completely new color, or you can add to the existing stain to deepen it and possibly change the hue slightly.
The problems that are most commonly noted with acid staining are related to application. If too much or not enough stain is applied, the results can be unattractive. This can be corrected by using the correct amount of stain. Using heavy coats of stain does not always help color develop better.
Hydrogen peroxide as a stain remover can be the perfect substitute. It's not as harsh as bleach, and it's a proven disinfectant. A lot of power is packed in that brown bottle.
Hydrogen peroxide works differently than vinegar and is better at removing different types of stains. Hydrogen peroxide doesn't actually remove stains—it just makes them invisible! It breaks up strong chemical bonds in stains including ink, and in doing so it makes the stains colorless—but they're still there!
Typically, acid stain lasts for 5-10 years or longer, depending on the amount of foot traffic, weather exposure, and the level of maintenance the surface receives. If the surface is heavily used, such as in a high-traffic commercial area, the acid stain may wear away or fade more quickly.
4. After the desired color tone has been achieved, use a cotton or rayon mop to mop a solution consisting of a ½ pound of baking soda mixed in 5 gallons of clean water onto the stained area. DO NOT SCRUB THE STAINED AREA.
There are other ways to neutralize vinegar. You can use table salt, milk, cream of tartar, or lemon juice to counter the acidity of the vinegar.
Mix 1/2 tsp of liquid dish soap and 1/2 tsp of white vinegar, and 2 cups of warm water. Using a clean, white cloth, sponge the stain with the mixture. Apply a little bit at a time, blotting frequently with a dry cloth until the stain disappears.
When a base is added to an acid, the pH of the solution rises, causing neutralization. You may neutralize your peel applying a neutralizing solution gently with your hands or a soft washcloth. How To: To create your own neutralizer at home, mix 1/4 cup of baking soda with four cups of water.
To neutralize acids, a weak base is used. Bases have a bitter or astringent taste and a pH greater than 7. Common bases are sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and ammonium hydroxide.
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide make a great stain remover — especially on yellowed whites. Spread a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide on stains, let it sit for half an hour, and launder as usual. Take care with darker colors, which could be damaged by hydrogen peroxide.
Cleaning: Acid stained floors are easy to clean and rarely need more than a mop and water. Avoid using harsh household cleaners on the floor, as these can strip the finish and cause damage. For deep cleaning, you can use a light solution of an organic concrete cleaner or mild, non-ammonia dishwashing soap and water.
Unlike stains, which are almost always temporary and fairly easily removed, etching damage from acid is a lot worse. Unsealed concrete is vulnerable to acid because acid from lemon juice, vinegar or other acidic foods or materials chemically dissolves the cement paste that binds all the ingredients together.