FAQ: Do You Have To Etch Concrete Before Staining?

Is etching concrete necessary?

If the concrete is new or does not have heavy oil contamination it still needs to be etched. The rougher the better. Thin build systems (waterborne epoxy) are best prepped by using a acid etching or diamond grinding. The key here is to open up the pores of the concrete so the epoxy has something to sink into.

How do you prepare concrete for staining?

Patching Floors Before Staining

For general-purpose cleaning and degreasing, Schmidt sweeps the floor and then scrubs it thoroughly using trisodium phosphate (TSP). For scrubbing, he recommends using a rotary floor scrubber with a green Nylo-Grit pad designed for aggressive scrubbing of concrete.

Do you have to grind concrete before staining?


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Can you seal concrete without etching?

But etching products work only if the concrete is clean and not already coated. You could easily spot paint if the concrete were coated with that, but sealer, which would also keep paint from sticking, might be invisible. One way to test for sealer is to pour on some water.

What happens if you don’t etch concrete before epoxy?

Acid etching removes laitance, but cannot remove curing compounds or many of the contaminants found in industrial settings, such as oily deposits and water-insoluble materials, any of which can interfere with the adhesion of a coating. Improper surface preparation can result in poor bond and lack of coating adhesion.

How soon can you paint after etching concrete?

Allow the surface to dry completely before applying any coatings, paints, stains or sealers. Two gallons of mixed etching solution will cover up to 500 square feet. Allow to dry for 24 hours before staining, sealing or coating.

How hard is it to stain concrete?

IS IT HARD TO STAIN CONCRETE? Overall, staining concrete can look like a simple process. However, it is important to keep in mind that while your stain is permanent, so are your mistakes.

How long after staining concrete can you seal it?

Be sure and remove any residue left behind if using our acid stain, then apply sealer. Don’t seal too soon as there could be moisture in the floor and hazing can occur. A good rule of thumb is to wait 24 hours time after any water has been applied to the floor before sealing.

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Is it better to stain or paint concrete?


Does concrete stain peel?

Stains are non-film forming. They do not seal the concrete nor do they protect it. Decorative concrete stains cannot peel or delaminate since they physically change the appearance of the concrete surface. You would need to grind the surface of the concrete to remove them.

How long does it take to stain concrete?


What colors does concrete stain come in?


  • Grey concrete stain.
  • Black concrete stain.
  • White concrete stain.
  • Blue concrete stain.
  • Brown concrete stain.
  • Red concrete stain.
  • Terracotta concrete stain.
  • Charcoal concrete stain.

Does vinegar etch concrete?

EtchingVinegar’s ability to dissolve CaCO3 will dull your marble, travertine, concrete and terrazzo surfaces. It may “clean” the surface but it is also dissolving pits into the finish and effectively dulling it. This will affect marble, travertine, concrete and concrete terrazzo surfaces.

How long does concrete need to dry after etching?

After all the water has been removed, the pad should have at least 48 hours of drying time before you apply any etching to the surface. If the weather is particularly humid, wait up to 72 hours for best results.

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Do I have to acid wash concrete before painting?

In most cases, special cleaning and/or etching of the concrete surface will be required before painting, and the appropriate cleaner (often TSP, trisodium phosphate) and etcher (usually a solution of muriatic acid) can be obtained. These chemicals, especially the etcher, must be used with care.

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