03-07-2006, 10:50 PM
I know this has been touched on in another thread, but thought it might spawn a distinct discussion.
Today we actually started the acid staining process of our concrete floors. Reference url for more info: http://www.acidstainconcrete.com/
We will have four slabs to finish in various degrees, but only one is poured and ready. Have to allow 28 days cure min - we are 35 days.
Anyway, we did get the instructional material from website above. We've watched the video at least 6 times, plus I read the manuals. The video details a 7 step process of which we've basically ignored 5 and severely distorted the other 2.
So here's where we are so far:
As said, our slab is 35 days old. Normally (I guess) this process is done near end of the project, we are doing near beginning. We are using the ProTEC wall SIPs which mount on metal channels - the thought of sloshing acid around to eat at those channels didn't give me a warm and fuzzy.
One of the prep steps was to scrub (with floor scrubber). Well, as it has rained probably 32 of the 35 days life of the slab, we figure if the was anything on it, it is probably scrubbed. Now we did broom sweep while wet with a street broom about a dozen times.
Of course we totally skipped the "test area" step. Afteral, we'd already decided to do it and Sophie had picked the color (turquoise), so the whole slab became the test
The staining proceedure itself is described as a 2/3 person team effort. Being as there are only the 2 of us, we made up our own - basically Sophie sprayed on the acid using a no-metal-parts garden sprayer and I worked the stiff bristle brush on a long handle. Actually this worked quite well, but both our backs knew it this afternoon. We also had a bit of help from above as it rained for about 5 minutes just before we started. Actually, the wet slab was easier to work. Listed coverage is approx 300 sf per gallon, we did a 21x42 slab (882 sf) and used about 2 3/4 gallons. Took us about 1 1/2 hours.
Supposed to let dry (totally react) for 4 hours. About 2 hours of sun and breeze and it was probably 98% dried - oh yea, we violated the no puddle rule too But at that point we we very pleased and excited with the results. Well, we had other things to do, errands in Hilo and we returned approx 5 hours after we finished just as the sky opened up and it hasn't stopped raining yet.
The next step was to have used a floor scrubber to clean the newly stained surface. I suspect by the time it stops raining, it will be well flushed anyway. If the wet with water glossy look approximates the sealed, finished look at the video suggests, then we are happy.
I did take a couple of pics at different stages and posted updated pics to http://community.webshots.com/album/468915553RbjdnV after it dries out. After cleaning and allowing to dry for 24 hours, we can apply the sealer coats. I've a feeling it may be some time before that slab is totally dry for 24 hours.
I'll post updates as they occur.
David
Ninole Resident
Edited by - David M on 03/08/2006 19:11:58
Today we actually started the acid staining process of our concrete floors. Reference url for more info: http://www.acidstainconcrete.com/
We will have four slabs to finish in various degrees, but only one is poured and ready. Have to allow 28 days cure min - we are 35 days.
Anyway, we did get the instructional material from website above. We've watched the video at least 6 times, plus I read the manuals. The video details a 7 step process of which we've basically ignored 5 and severely distorted the other 2.
So here's where we are so far:
As said, our slab is 35 days old. Normally (I guess) this process is done near end of the project, we are doing near beginning. We are using the ProTEC wall SIPs which mount on metal channels - the thought of sloshing acid around to eat at those channels didn't give me a warm and fuzzy.
One of the prep steps was to scrub (with floor scrubber). Well, as it has rained probably 32 of the 35 days life of the slab, we figure if the was anything on it, it is probably scrubbed. Now we did broom sweep while wet with a street broom about a dozen times.
Of course we totally skipped the "test area" step. Afteral, we'd already decided to do it and Sophie had picked the color (turquoise), so the whole slab became the test
The staining proceedure itself is described as a 2/3 person team effort. Being as there are only the 2 of us, we made up our own - basically Sophie sprayed on the acid using a no-metal-parts garden sprayer and I worked the stiff bristle brush on a long handle. Actually this worked quite well, but both our backs knew it this afternoon. We also had a bit of help from above as it rained for about 5 minutes just before we started. Actually, the wet slab was easier to work. Listed coverage is approx 300 sf per gallon, we did a 21x42 slab (882 sf) and used about 2 3/4 gallons. Took us about 1 1/2 hours.
Supposed to let dry (totally react) for 4 hours. About 2 hours of sun and breeze and it was probably 98% dried - oh yea, we violated the no puddle rule too
But at that point we we very pleased and excited with the results. Well, we had other things to do, errands in Hilo and we returned approx 5 hours after we finished just as the sky opened up and it hasn't stopped raining yet. The next step was to have used a floor scrubber to clean the newly stained surface. I suspect by the time it stops raining, it will be well flushed anyway. If the wet with water glossy look approximates the sealed, finished look at the video suggests, then we are happy.
I did take a couple of pics at different stages and posted updated pics to http://community.webshots.com/album/468915553RbjdnV after it dries out. After cleaning and allowing to dry for 24 hours, we can apply the sealer coats. I've a feeling it may be some time before that slab is totally dry for 24 hours.
I'll post updates as they occur.
David
Ninole Resident
Edited by - David M on 03/08/2006 19:11:58
Ninole Resident