Concrete Floor Staining

Concrete floor staining is an easy way to give new life to ugly concrete floors. You can improve the look of patios, driveways, garages, and basements. Concrete floor staining is easy to maintain and enhances the beauty of your home.

Acidic concrete floor staining is not a stain such as you would put on furniture or wood. This type of staining consists of metallic salts mixed with mild acid. This acid reacts with the mineral composition of your concrete and causes a chemical reaction. Every concrete floor has a different mineral composition, so each floor will react differently with the acid to give each floor its own look. Be sure to test a small section of your concrete to see how your floor will react and look.

Some of the supplies you will need before starting your concrete floor staining project are protective goggles, a face mask, a wire brush, a paint roller, rubber gloves, and a broom. You may find other supplies are needed as well. The first thing you will have to do is thoroughly clean your concrete surface, removing all dirt, grease, paint, and other gunk. Let the floor dry thoroughly.

Concrete floor staining requires two people. One person will spray the stain from left to right across the entire surface. The second person will use the broom to scrub the stains in. The person spraying will then spray right to left making sure that the broom marks have been gone over in order to remove the marks it leaves behind. Continue this all the way to front of the room. Let the entire area dry.

After the first concrete floor staining, the floor needs to be cleaned with a mixture of water and baking soda. The baking soda will neutralize the acid reaction. Mop the floor completely with a bucket of water mixed with baking soda while the second person sucks up the water left behind with a wet/dry vacuum cleaner. Do not leave footprints on any part of the floor that has not been neutralized because, if you do, those footprints will be there always. Let the floor dry completely.

For the final steps of your concrete floor staining, you can now apply a sealer with a paint roller. Let it dry and then apply another coat. It is recommended, after the final coat of sealer dries, that you apply 1-2 coats of a wax coating to protect the floor further. The wax finish makes your floor look even greater and easy to clean.

With just a little time and effort, you can have beautiful concrete floors that will greatly improve the look of your home and give you a great sense of satisfaction. Concrete floor staining will enhance any setting.