acid staining questions - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Traditions2 · 09-22-2008, 11:07 AM

I've been wanting to get into acid staining for a long time. We just build a house and i thought my basement would be a perfect place to practice. I plan on using a light and a dark color. From what i can tell after I spray the surface with the acid I scrub it in. How did I get the "marbled look" of the color. will the brush marks show up? Do I do the entire surface with the lighter color and then just spots with the darker. Any information would be appreciated.

**genecarp** · 09-22-2008, 11:15 AM

no need to scrub the acid in, you will however want to etch the floor prior to staining, it will open the floor up, and allow the acid to do its thing. the effect you are looking for comes from overlaying different colors in a random fashion. call the guys at sealant depot, tell them concrete central refered you, they will help you out, they are good guys to deal with. good luck G

Traditions2 · 09-22-2008, 12:04 PM

H and C 's website says you don't need to etch? They also say to scrub it in with a brush. However, I'm not sure that would give the look of marbeling. What is the best way to etch the floor?

**genecarp** · 09-22-2008, 12:16 PM

there are several different methods to floor staining, the more you research, the more you will understand this. i have achieved excellent results without scrubbibg the stain in, etching can be done with muriatic acid, or another more user friendly product called SIMPLE BLUE, sealant depot has it all.

PS, the staining is first part, your head will really start spinning when you get to the sealer selection....