One of the very best sealers on the market today for acid-stained concrete and other types of decorative concrete flooring is the "polyurea". Polyurea is extremely durable, long-lasting and easy to maintain. Most clear sealers for concrete come in water and solvent-based versions.
Applying a clear top coating like acrylic, urethane, epoxy or floor wax to the stained surfaces indoors will protect it against wear and spills. It will also add gloss and enhance the colors. The surface sealer will last much longer because the concrete has been deep-sealed against moisture with LastiSeal.
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.
You may need to apply multiple coats to achieve the desired color intensity. After the stains have dried, you'll want to protect your newly-colored concrete with a sealer. This will help to protect the concrete from wear and tear and extend the life of your color transformation.
Protect your stained concrete floors with acrylic, epoxy and/or polyurethane topcoats depending on the space – residential or commercial.
Epoxy Sealers: If your stained floor is high traffic, such as a restaurant or other public space, an epoxy sealer may be a good option. Epoxies are harder than acrylics, but don't allow trapped moisture to escape which may become a problem later.
To change the color, we're covering the two most common solutions here: You can re-stain the floors (by applying a new penetrating sealant) or paint them (by applying an industrial coating).
After staining wood, you will want to finish with a topcoat sealer to protect your wood project. Apply a sealant and let it fully cure before handling!
Allow the stain to cure for a full 24 hours, then spread the sealer along the floor as directed on the label. Drying time for the sealer can vary depending on environmental conditions. Plan on two days for it to completely harden. Consider using a concrete floor polish to help reduce slipping and scuffing.
So, it is highly recommended to seal right after staining. Adding a few sealer coats over the wood stain will close its pores, reducing the wood's ability to absorb moisture, protecting it from some ultraviolet light, and extending its lifespan.
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.
Protecting the Acid Stained Finish
It would crumble under foot traffic and quickly turn dull. The surface must be protected with a clear coating which will also provide gloss and enhance the hues. The choice of topical sealers is very wide and includes water- or solvent-based acrylics, urethanes, and epoxies.
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.
You don't want all your hard work to go to waste by not neutralizing the acid stain properly. Ensuring proper neutralization is crucial for sealer bonding and a durable, aesthetically pleasing finish. Without it, you might end up with a peeling, blotchy surface that just won't do justice to your efforts.
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.
For Unsealed Concrete
Then give it some time to cure before reapplying acid stain on the affected areas. You can wait for a whole 24 hours or wait until the repair looks the same as the rest of the floor. Take your stain in a spray bottle then apply it on the crack or scratch repair and the surroundings.
How long do you need to wait before sealing wood after staining? For best results, wait at least 24 hours before sealing the wood. If you are concerned the stain isn't quite dry enough, wait another day before applying poly.
Answer: Most people like to stain and seal at the same time, although you can come back a week later and seal if you like. If you're going to wait between staining and sealing, just do a light power wash to clean the concrete and let it dry prior to sealing.
Sealers, particularly solvent-based sealers, will darken concrete.
Sealant will sometimes have pigment that will color the wood when applied, but stain will always have pigment. Additionally, the levels of protection vary between the two products. Stain offers little to no moisture protection, while sealant offers tremendous moisture protection.
The acid washing of concrete is a requirement after the concrete has cured sufficiently, in order to remove surface efflorescence and to open the pores before sealing. This will help the sealer to penetrate and result in a superior bond between the sealer and the surface.
Sealing an outdoor decorative concrete project is the best way, and as far as we know the only way, to minimize color changes from the sun's UV rays. An unsealed, decorative stained concrete surface will show faded colors in a matter of a few months.
Laying Epoxy Over Oil Stains
Oil that seeped into the concrete floor must be removed before laying down epoxy coatings. Where there is oil, you get poor adhesion between the epoxy and the concrete. That's why it's important to remove all stains before installing epoxy coatings.