They may be used on everything from concrete floors and kitchen counters to pool decks and driveways, both inside and out. So in saying that acid stain can last 5 to 20 years depending on many factors.
If you do go the DIY route, you'll need 1 gallon of stain for every 200 square feet of space you're staining. That will cost you around $0.30 to $0.40 per square foot, or about $60 per gallon.
The answer is: yes, you can acid stain old concrete. The process for acid staining old concrete is not all that different from staining new concrete with a few exceptions. Below, we will walk you through how to stain old concrete and the differences from how to stain new concrete.
The durability of stained concrete
This applies to both interior floors as well as outdoor surfaces, so any concrete floor will benefit from a stained concrete finish that beautifies, seals, and protects against cracking, peeling, chipping, and fading.
Cons of Outdoor Concrete Staining
Transparent: The semi-transparency of most stains will fail to hide the existing imperfections in the concrete surface. DIY is not easy: Staining concrete is the not the easiest job for the amateur weekend warrior. Using a professional contractor ensure best results.
Acid-Based Stains
An acid-based stain costs between $0.20 and $0.40 per square foot on average or a total of $2 to $14.50 per square foot with labor. Acid-based stains chemically react with your concrete flooring, giving a natural appearance.
Brushing acid stain is different for all concrete surfaces. It's easier to hand brush a smooth hard-troweled floor than it is to brush a heavily broomed floor. Be aware and prepared for this ahead of time. It's also easier to see brush marks on smooth surfaces than it is to see them on rougher textures.
So while you don't have to seal concrete, if you do, you will be enhancing and protecting the look of the concrete while extending it's lifespan considerably.
Though new concrete may not always require a second coat of acid stain, older concrete does require two coats of stain for complete coverage. For a more diffuse look, spray the stain onto the surface without brushing.
Affordability. Applying an epoxy floor coating will cost between $3 and $10 per square foot, which is quite affordable than the $5- $12 price tag that a high-end concrete staining will cost you.
Acid stains or Chemical stains react with the lime in concrete and color the concrete whereas concrete dyes offer transparent colors to the concrete surface.
Epoxy covering is an excellent choice if you need to cover up damage; thus, many commercial work environments opt for epoxy. If you want to improve the look and texture of a concrete surface, stain it to look like natural stone, and achieve a solid, long-lasting color.
For oil spots, use a degreaser and neutralizer (diluted 4 to 1), and rinse well. For acid staining, use a concrete etch and cleaner to prepare the surface and rinse well. Concrete must be porous enough to accept water. Dense concrete surfaces may require mechanical preparation to accept acid stain.
To sum it up, most interior projects and all exterior projects choosing between concrete stain or paint are likely better served by a stain solution. Furthermore, horizontal surfaces are best benefited from an acid stain, while vertical surfaces require a professional mineral stain solution.
To help prevent this, it's a good idea to slightly dampen the surface of the concrete before applying the acid stain. This will help ensure that the stain has enough moisture to react properly with the concrete.
Two coats are usually sufficient. Before resuming traffic on the surface, be sure the stain has dried for the manufacturer-recommended time. On exterior surfaces, you can apply a solvent-based, solid-color concrete sealer.
When properly designed and installed, acid-stained concrete and decorative concrete overlays are almost completely unaffected by water.
Old Practices
However, it's no longer recommended because acid etching concrete with strong acid creates inconsistent results. While it does remove laitance, it does not remove oils and other water-soluble materials. Not to mention, the strong acids can be hazardous if used improperly or if accidents occur.
You can apply stain with a roller or brush if you are staining a relatively small surface or working in a tight space, but if you are staining a large surface, like a garage floor, it's recommended to use an acid-resistant airless paint sprayer.
Etching is a crucial step in preparing concrete for painting. It gives the surface tooth to adhere to, so your paint is more likely to stick for a long time. Most concrete paints require etching and if they don't, do it anyway. Don't skip this step if you want a long-lasting painted concrete floor.
An attractive and expertly finished garage floor can greatly improve the aesthetics of your home's interior and add to the overall appeal. It not only increases the functionality of your property but also maximizes the resale value when you decide to sell your home someday down the road.
Stained concrete can be an excellent choice for your residential house. Due to light foot traffic experienced in residential stained floors, a simple cleaning may renew their fresh look for many years.
In fact, stained concrete floors cost less than most traditional flooring types and come with numerous bonus benefits. For example, concrete stained floors are eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, and extremely durable.