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Acid stain concrete is an old technique that has recently seen a resurgence in popularity. Concrete floors are known to be durable, low maintenance, and incredibly ugly. If you learn how to acid stain concrete floors you can keep the durable, low maintenance surface while turning your ugly gray surface into a beautiful work of art. Most acid stains are going to be earth tones. This includes many shades of browns, dark reds, and greens. These earth tones will give your floor the look of expensive stone or marble, for significantly less.

If you are not the do it yourself type of person you can hire a contractor to do your acid stain concrete job. For a basic job you will most likely pay around $4 per square foot. If you want a more detailed and intricate pattern (multiple colors and designs) it will cost you anywhere from $4-$10 per square foot.
If you just want a basic job done it is suggested that you do a do it yourself. Instead of paying a contractor $4 per square foot, you can get it done for $.50-$1.00 per square foot, and it will only take a few hours over two days to complete the job. Even if you are a DIY novice, you should be able to handle this type of project. Here are four steps on how to acid stain concrete.

Get Your Materials

You need to make sure that you have all the materials necessary before starting the job. Since you will be working with a weak acid it is essential that you protect yourself fully. This means wearing long sleeves and long pants, protective eye wear, a face mask, and gloves. Other materials necessary include: Acid concrete stain, sealer, concrete cleaner, broom, wet vac, sprayer, paint tray, and a roller.

Prepare The Surface

Since the acid stain is semi transparent any blemishes or cracks on the concrete will show through. Hairline cracks can give your acid stained floor more character, by anything else should be repaired. You will need to clean the concrete to the best of your ability, the better you get it to look now the better it will look after you apply the stain.

Apply The Stain

There are a few ways to do this step, but I prefer to use an all plastic sprayer. One person should spray on the acid stain to the concrete while the other follows behind and brushes it in with a broom. This will leave brush strokes so the sprayer should go over the area again. Repeat this process until the whole floor is covered.

Wash The Floor

After the floor has had the proper time to react it is time to wash the floor with a baking soda and water solution in order to neutralize the acid concrete stain and remove any excess residue. You should go over the floor with this solution at least twice.

Apply The Sealer

Once the floor is completely dry you should apply 2-3 coats of sealer with your paint roller. As soon as the final coat is dry you can begin using your beautiful new floor.
This is a simplified guide on acid stained concrete floors. Click this link for a complete, detailed, step-by-step  guide on how to stain concrete floors.

Joel Jamison
http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/how-to-acid-stain-concrete-740790.html

How to Acid Stain Concrete