1)TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT STAIN OR DYE FOR YOUR PROJECT

Source:www.stonediamondtool.com Date:2018/9/5 Read:404

By Rick Lobdell, Concrete Mystique Engraving, Nashville, Tenn.

Concrete is a very unique substance. It’s strong enough to build buildings, yet absorbent like a giant sponge, allowing you to stain it almost any color you desire. Stains and dyes for concrete come in a variety of different formulations, running the gamut from water-based low-VOC products to harsher chemical-based solutions. All have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on the application and the artistic effects you are striving for. Here’s a broad overview of the common types of concrete stains and dyes, and what I think are the pros and cons of each based on my experience as a decorative concrete artisan. I also share a few tips for achieving the best results with each product.

Acid Stains

Acid stain reacts with the surface of the concrete, so the color is permanent, as long as the surface is protected by a sealer. The downside of acid stain is that you are limited to earth-tone color choices. I often dilute acid stains to create a lot of amazing effects, but my color palette is still restricted to earth tones. I find this to be a great stain for exterior concrete surfaces because the color won’t change over time as long as you keep the surface protected.

Tips for using:

· Always remember to neutralize the surface after the stain is done reacting. There is still a chance that ground moisture wicking up through the concrete could cause the stain to start reacting again.

· Be sure to remove any stain residue that might create a barrier for sealer penetration. I recommend using a pressure washer on exterior surfaces and thoroughly mopping interior concrete.

Because the above examples are on exterior concrete that still had a great surface to react, I used acid stains. I prefer acid stain outside because it reacts permanently with the surface and is easy to protect with normal sealers.

Powdered Acetone Dyes

Most acetone-based dyes come in powdered form. They are great for interior use, and come in a wide range of color options. But they are not UV stable, so they typically can’t be used outdoors. A big advantage of dyes is their short dry time. Acid stains need to react for hours, while dyes can dry in seconds.

Tips for using:

· Since acetone dyes are interior-only products, the profile of the concrete surface becomes extremely important. In order for the dye to bind or absorb into the floor, the pores in the surface must be open. You can do this by grinding the surface.

· If you want to chemically etch the floor surface to open it up, I can tell you from years of experience that muriatic acid will not break down the surface enough to give you as good of a bond for stains and dyes than grinding does.

· Powdered dyes are the only type of dye you can use to color floors that will be polished because they penetrate into the concrete.