Q & A: Why Neutralize Acid Stain?
Question: Do I need to neutralize acid stain floors before applying sealer? Does it really matter?
Answer: Always neutralize acid stain before proceeding to sealer application. Active acid stain has a high PH that will damage concrete sealer if not properly neutralized and cleaned. The acidic surface will destroy the acrylic in the sealer causing a blotchy appearance and sealer peel. Surfaces sealed but not neutralized will eventually have to be stripped, properly cleaned and resealed. Improper cleaning is one of the leading causes of sealer failure. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda for every 1 gallon of water. Spray or pour the soda and water mixture on every inch of the floor. Move the solution around the floor using a squeegee. Once applied, the acid stain will be inert and can be cleaned from the surface. Use a soft-bristle scrub brush and a concrete degreaser/water solution to remove stubborn residue. The floor is clean when the rinse water is almost clear and there’s no chalky residue on the surface when dry.
I used your stain in coffee brown. After I neutralized, I vacuumed the residue. During this process, I scratched the floor with the wet/dry vac. My question..could I spray additional stain on the floor to cover the scratches? Would that be a solution?
Thanks for your message. You can spray down more stain if you feel that’s necessary but do make sure that the scratches you see aren’t just in residue still remaining on the surface of the concrete. You’re able to apply more stain to the concrete if needed prior to sealing. Be sure to clean thoroughly and observe the floor when wet before deciding on the final color appearance and allowing to dry for later sealing. Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Do acid stained countertops also need to be neutralized before coating with epoxy?
Thanks for your question. All acid stained countertops need to be neutralized and cleaned thoroughly before applying a sealer of any kind including an epoxy. For more information on acid staining countertops, read over our how to guide, “Acid Staining Countertops.” Please let us know if you have any further questions.