Don’t like the color of your concrete floor anymore and want to give it a fresh look without a full overhaul? It’s now possible with Acid Stain! Discover how to revamp your old concrete floor quickly with Harmony Béton Acid Stain.
Why use Acid Stain to color your concrete?
Acid Stain is a ready-to-use liquid colorant that penetrates the concrete through a chemical reaction, creating permanent, marble-like effects on the surface. The result? Unique and varied shades with natural mineral nuances, similar to marble.
What are the benefits of surface-colored concrete with Acid Stain?
Using Acid Stain to color concrete offers a unique, custom solution with several advantages:
- Thin application: Acid Stain colors the concrete without adding an extra layer to your floor.
- Natural, varied hues: Acid-stained concrete produces deep, translucent color variations and a rich, patina-like finish.
- Durability: The concrete stained with Acid Stain is long-lasting, stable, and highly resistant over time.
- UV-resistant: Acid-stained floors are resistant to sunlight, meaning no fading or color deterioration over time.
How to use Acid Stain on concrete?
Acid Stain is a reactive stain that can be applied to both old and new concrete that is at least 14 days old. The stain is formulated with acids that chemically react with the components of the concrete, opening the pores to allow the pigments to penetrate.
Steps to apply Acid Stain:
- Step 1: Surface preparation
Before applying, ensure your floor has no traces of sealants or wax that could block the acid’s penetration. Lightly spray water on the surface—if it absorbs, the floor is porous and ready for staining. If water beads up, the surface is non-porous, likely containing a sealer or curing agent that needs to be removed.
To strip this layer, use our Varnish Remover or Degreaser Wax Remover, sand the surface, or apply a self-leveling compound.
- Step 2: Application of the preparatory solution
Use the preparatory solution without dilution. Spray it evenly on the surface and allow it to act for a few minutes. Then wash the surface with a neutral pH cleaner, rinse with water, and let it dry.
- Step 3: Applying the Acid Stain
Before starting, wear proper safety gear—gloves, safety glasses, mask, and long clothing. Open all windows to ensure proper ventilation. Use a plastic sprayer (mandatory) to apply the stain and scrub the surface with a brush to help it penetrate. Allow the solution to dry for about 4 hours, then apply a second coat in the opposite direction to the first. Let it dry for another 4 hours. During this time, the reactive stain will open the concrete's pores and allow the pigments to seep in.
- Step 4: Neutralizing the stain
Once the Acid Stain has dried, it needs to be neutralized to stop its chemical reaction. Otherwise, the stain may continue reacting and damage the surface. Spray Harmony Neutralizer on the surface, scrub with a broom, and let it sit for 5 minutes to neutralize the stain.
After allowing the surface to dry for 72 hours, apply a sealer to lock in the color and make the floor water-resistant, providing long-lasting protection.
