How To Create a Concrete Acid Stain Floor

How Was This Concrete Acid Stain Project Done?

By far the picture of a Shawnee, Oklahoma dentist’s office is the most popular project photo with our customers. The floor was designed and installed by Link Cowen of DecoCrete Inc. Mr. Cowen is a professional builder and concrete artisan but that shouldn’t stop a home or business owner from creating this beautiful finish in their own home or office.

Getting Started: Surface Prep and Overlay

The surface was prepped and cleaned using a swing buffer with a 150 grit sanding pad or by cleaning with a solution of water and Simple Green Degreaser. The condition of the floor will determine whether mechanical profiling will be required. A floor need simply be free of debris, level with no holes or broken areas to successfully overlay.
Link has selected DCI Smooth White Overlay for this project and used a pool trowel to apply, leaving half-moon marks on the surface for added texture. Concrete Overlay is specially-designed to produce the most robust reaction and acid stain colors. See our DCI Concrete Overlay brochure for more information and application techniques.

Applying the Acid Stain

DCI Smooth White Concrete Overlay, Coffee Brown and Malayan Buff Acid Stain, Diluted - Courtesy of Decocrete Acid Stain can be applied in many ways to create different effects on the floor. Link cut the Malayan Buff acid stain 1 part water to 1 part stain to produce a more golden appearance. Keep in mind that the golden color can only be achieved on white concrete. The stain was applied with a pump-up all plastic sprayer. He followed with a heavily diluted 10-1 solution of Coffee Brown Acid Stain both sprayed and lightly poured on the surface to create the “wash” look of the stain. The darker accents were applied with the sprayer tip close to the surface to produce a “pooling effect.”
Finish with the concrete sealer of your choice. A high gloss sealer was used on this floor. Decorative concrete is both an art and science. Much of the style is up to the individual. Good luck with your own projects and call us with your questions, 877-255-2656.

13 February 2012

Stacy

If a DYI'er wanted to use two different colors of stain, do you buy the same quantities of both?

Shawna

You'd want to have a total number of gallons appropriate for the size of the job. For example, if you had a 1000 sq. ft project, you'd need 5 gallons of acid stain. Perhaps you'd prefer more brown than green so you'd select 3 gallons of Coffee Brown and two gallons of Shifting Sand for a total of 5 gallons. I hope that has helped answer your question and thank you for choosing Direct Colors.

Alberto

How can I learn to do this kind of work, I live in tennessee.Thanks

Shawna

Alberto, We don't offer decorative concrete classes ourselves. I would suggest contacting your local vocational schools to see if they offer classes. Feel free to review the how-to guides section, blogs and videos for more information on our products and how to use them. Thank you and good luck

Brenda

Hello, I live in California and I want to know if this product can be used here.

Shawna

Dear Brenda. Acid stain can be used in California but some sealers cannot. All the water based sealers and the VOC Kure and Seal can be used in California. Please look over our concrete sealers page and see if any of those sealers will meet your needs. Thank you and good luck with your project.