| Acid Stains |
| DRIVEWAYS!! |
| POOL DECKS!! |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
COMMERCIAL!!
Custom Concrete Surfaces
| Branson, MO |
Harrison, AR
| PATIOS!! |
Acid Stained floors are growing in popularity. Many
people are looking to stained floors as an alternative
to carpet, tile and wood. The information below is an
introduction to Acid Stained floors.
Acid Stains give concrete a mottled, variegated,
marble-like look. Never expect Acid Stain to be
uniform or have an even tone, you will get different
reactions from slab to slab, and even on the same job
you may see different coloration patterns. Variations
of colors and mottling are to be expected and enjoyed.
It is the random mix of tones and shades that gives
an acid stained floor it's unique beauty. Acid stains,
unlike paints, are not opaque - they are translucent.
Some areas will be darker than others, similar to
marble or flagstone. Along with the naturally
occurring variegations and marbling - any blemishes
and imperfections in your concrete simply add
character and charm. Even cracks can add to the look.
Acid Stains are not a paint or coating or a sealer.
Acid Stained Concrete is a coloring process involving
a chemical reaction on a cementious material. A
solution made with water, acid and inorganic salts
reacts with minerals already present in the concrete.
The finish won't fade or chip, it is permanent.
How Acid Stain Works
Acid stains are made from hydrochloric acid, wetting
agents and metallic ions. When this solution is
placed on concrete it colors the concrete by
chemically combining the metallic ions with the
particles in the concrete to form oxides. The acid in
chemical stains opens the top surface of the concrete
(this may be referred to as "etched"), allowing
metallic salts in the mixture to reach the free lime in
the concrete. Water from the stain solution then fuels
the reaction between the lime and the metallic salts.
Stains will normally be applied to a surface for 4 or
more hours. However, the surface will continue to
develop its patina - an appearance of something
grown beautiful especially with age or use;
established character for several more hours.
Other factors that affect the outcome include:
Cement properties and Mix Design
Admixtures used
Type of aggregate used
Concrete finishing methods
Concrete age and moisture content when stain is
applied
Weather conditions when stain is applied
Efflorescence
In general, cements that produce larger amounts of
calcium hydroxide during hydration will show more
stain color, and higher cement contents produce more
intense colors. If they are near the surface,
calcium-based aggregates, such as lime-stone, take
stain readily and deepen the color of the concrete
above them. Solid aggregates, such as gravel, don't
react with the stain.
Click here for Elite Crete's acid stain color chart.
Click here for suggestions to follow before and during
construction to ensure your new slab looks its best.
people are looking to stained floors as an alternative
to carpet, tile and wood. The information below is an
introduction to Acid Stained floors.
Acid Stains give concrete a mottled, variegated,
marble-like look. Never expect Acid Stain to be
uniform or have an even tone, you will get different
reactions from slab to slab, and even on the same job
you may see different coloration patterns. Variations
of colors and mottling are to be expected and enjoyed.
It is the random mix of tones and shades that gives
an acid stained floor it's unique beauty. Acid stains,
unlike paints, are not opaque - they are translucent.
Some areas will be darker than others, similar to
marble or flagstone. Along with the naturally
occurring variegations and marbling - any blemishes
and imperfections in your concrete simply add
character and charm. Even cracks can add to the look.
Acid Stains are not a paint or coating or a sealer.
Acid Stained Concrete is a coloring process involving
a chemical reaction on a cementious material. A
solution made with water, acid and inorganic salts
reacts with minerals already present in the concrete.
The finish won't fade or chip, it is permanent.
How Acid Stain Works
Acid stains are made from hydrochloric acid, wetting
agents and metallic ions. When this solution is
placed on concrete it colors the concrete by
chemically combining the metallic ions with the
particles in the concrete to form oxides. The acid in
chemical stains opens the top surface of the concrete
(this may be referred to as "etched"), allowing
metallic salts in the mixture to reach the free lime in
the concrete. Water from the stain solution then fuels
the reaction between the lime and the metallic salts.
Stains will normally be applied to a surface for 4 or
more hours. However, the surface will continue to
develop its patina - an appearance of something
grown beautiful especially with age or use;
established character for several more hours.
Other factors that affect the outcome include:
Cement properties and Mix Design
Admixtures used
Type of aggregate used
Concrete finishing methods
Concrete age and moisture content when stain is
applied
Weather conditions when stain is applied
Efflorescence
In general, cements that produce larger amounts of
calcium hydroxide during hydration will show more
stain color, and higher cement contents produce more
intense colors. If they are near the surface,
calcium-based aggregates, such as lime-stone, take
stain readily and deepen the color of the concrete
above them. Solid aggregates, such as gravel, don't
react with the stain.
Click here for Elite Crete's acid stain color chart.
Click here for suggestions to follow before and during
construction to ensure your new slab looks its best.
| INTERIOR!! |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
