The answer is: yes, you can acid stain old concrete. The process for acid staining old concrete is not all that different from staining new concrete with a few exceptions. Below, we will walk you through how to stain old concrete and the differences from how to stain new concrete.
Surface prep
New concrete must be fully cured before applying stain, and existing concrete can present any number of problems depending on its exposure to weather, spills or chemicals and the type of wear it has received. Unlike paints and coatings which are opaque and can mask many evils, acid stains are translucent.
Strip and remove all previous sealers, paints, adhesives and coatings. For oil spots use a degreaser and neutralizer (diluted 4 to 1) and rinse well. For acid staining, use a concrete etch and cleaner to prepare the surface and rinse well. Concrete must be porous enough to accept water.
Dyes are a great way to color existing slabs of concrete and they offer a wide range of color options which will dry very quickly. The raw form of a dye is a super fine powder that depending on manufacturing can be dispersed in a solvent or water.
To change the color of concrete before it is poured, add a tint or dye to the mix. People who want to use concrete in their landscaping often ask how they can change the color. If the concrete has already been poured your best option is applying a stain to the surface.
You can color concrete with acrylic paint by mixing it into the wet mix. Acrylic paint can be a cheap way to color concrete crafts. The same goes for using latex paint for coloring concrete.
Almost any structurally sound concrete floor, whether new or old, can be polished. However there are some exceptions, for example with new floors no special mix design is required to achieve good results – although the floor should be in place at least 28 days before polishing begins to ensure adequate curing.
Can you pebblecrete over existing concrete? New pebblecrete can be laid over an existing pebblecrete driveway or plain concrete, as long as the underlying concrete is in good condition. The new surface will be around 5mm higher.
A key tool for resurfacing is our CRS3000 system. It can be applied to any concrete that has been cured for a minimum of 28-days. It is a spray-on application that is 2-3mm thick on top of the existing concrete. We can then work with this to create a plain, speckled or flecked finish that looks like exposed aggregate.
Acid-based concrete stain
The cost to install acid stains is around $2 to $6 per square foot for basic designs or $12 to $25 per square foot for complex colors and patterns.
Do I Need to Sand Concrete Before Staining? You only need to sand concrete surfaces if you cannot remove paint stains or carpet glue manually with mastic remover.
Although concrete stain is permanent and won't flake off like paint, it penetrates only the top layer of the concrete surface and will eventually wear away as the surface is worn by traffic or weather exposure.
New concrete should be fully cured before staining, which takes between 21 and 28 days. Whether you're a professional wanting to add staining to your repertoire or a homeowner who loves a DIY challenge, here are the steps for staining concrete: Clean and prepare the concrete. Apply the concrete stain.
To sum it up, most interior projects and all exterior projects choosing between concrete stain or paint are likely better served by a stain solution. Furthermore, horizontal surfaces are best benefited from an acid stain, while vertical surfaces require a professional mineral stain solution.
Staining is an economical and highly versatile way to upgrade the look of both new and existing concrete driveways. Stains penetrate deeply into the concrete surface, producing fade-resistant, permanent color that will not flake off or peel away.
The average concrete resurfacing cost in Australia is between $100 and $150 per square metre, so the average job may cost around $3,000 to $4,500. This cost may be higher if the concrete also needs repairing or if you need to have a slab poured first.
In most applications, resurfaced concrete should last 10-15 years. However, it is always best to consult with a professional before making any decisions about resurfacing.
Use Epoxy to Get a Silky Smooth Surface with High Sheen
You can also apply an epoxy resin coating to the surface of the concrete.
Can you have polished concrete outdoors? Yes. For outdoors however we would not normally recommend a Mechanically Polished Concrete, as when wet it can be slippery. The alternative for these areas is honed concrete.
ARE CONCRETE FLOORS LESS EXPENSIVE THAN TILE? Because material and labor costs for tile are high, polished concrete is often significantly less expensive than tile in new residential construction and renovation.
Acid Staining
Acid stains are a reactive coloring process that penetrates into the porous concrete surface. This is probably the most permanent of all coloring options but is usually limited to eight colors.
Like any hard, smooth surface, stained concrete can become slippery when wet, especially if it has been coated with a high-gloss sealer. For concrete floors or walkways exposed to moisture or in areas with a lot of foot traffic, there are ways you can increase the slip resistance without affecting the color.
Durability of Stained Concrete
And because stains permeate the concrete to infuse it with permanent color, a stained concrete floor or pavement should last a lifetime when properly maintained (see How to Protect and Maintain Stained Concrete .