Beyond just selecting your stain color, you’ll want to decide between asemi-transparent or solidstain. A solid stain will have a more paint-like finish, whereas the semi-transparent will let the color variation of the concrete still show through. So consider the condition and appearance of y...
Concrete stain will not penetrate the surface of your patio or driveway if it has been sealed. Scatter some water on the surface. If it sinks in, your concrete only needs to be cleaned. If the water beads up, you will have to strip the sealer off. Commercial strippers are available at...
New vs. old concreteIt is usually more cost-effective to stain new concrete that has not been sealed or previously covered with another flooring material. Surface prep requirementsIf old carpet, tile or other flooring needs to be removed and the underlying concrete ground and cleaned, expect labo...
Use a power washer to do an initial cleaning of the concrete. Once wet, you'll be able to see if there are problem areas of oil, paint, or grease. You will want to remove any paint or oil because acid stain will not “TAKE” or “REACT” with the concrete in those areas. Step ...
When left exposed to the elements or accidental spills, concrete often becomes discolored if it wasn't properly sealed. If you've tried cleaning it with normal detergents and water to no avail, a few common household chemicals can get rid of the stains.
If your budget says pine or oak but your heart says cherry or maple, you may prefer to paint rather than stain your cabinets to disguise the more prominent grains of the lower-cost woods. To create a custom look, replace ho-hum hardware with novelty cabinet door pulls such as pewter ...
reacting with the lime in the concrete. That is why I like it; as acid stain is not a ‘paint’ that only lies on the surface, it becomes part of the surface. The concrete does need to not be sealed free of stains. Any grease or grime will inhibit the absorption of the stain. ...
Checking construction joints to confirm that ¼-inch plate dowels are located exactly middepth of the slab on 24-inch centers. Polishing subcontractor Performing a mockup once the concrete slab has cured sufficiently so the owner or owner's agent can sign off on the dye/stain color, the qua...
A: If you’ve never sealed a deck before, you may need professional instructions to spruce up the structure and bring more value to your home. It is a good idea to know the weather conditions before beginning. Additionally, beautiful decks require a quality deck stain and sealer. It is im...
Dilute as directed on the label to clean the entire floor, or apply full strength to target stains. Rinse well. All-purpose cleaners are good for unsealed andsealed concrete floors. Detergent or Dish Soap If your concrete floor in the basement is just lightly dirty, clean the whole thing wi...