Exterior Concrete Stain

Do you want to give a new look to your exterior concrete? A great idea for the makeover of the outside surface is exterior concrete stain. Removing the existing concrete or replacing it with the new and decorative concrete might be a pretty expensive affair. Staining concrete with a variety of colors of your choice can give a new look to your sweet home. To make the process cheaper and affordable, you can even do the staining yourself. The two best that we recommend are acrylic stains and acid stains.

Using Acid Stain

Acid stains can be used for any type of exterior concrete like new or old, plain or colored surfaces. Although it is called acid stain, but actually it is not acid that colors the concrete. The acidic water based solution has metallic salt present in it which reacts with calcium hydroxide (hydrated lime) in the tough concrete to give colored and insoluble compound which finally becomes a long-lasting part of the concrete. The chemical stains are available in the variation of three basic colors, blue-green, black and brown. Now let us understand the functioning of chemical stain.

The acidic element present in the chemical stain reopens the top of the concrete surface and the metallic salt is allowed to mingle with the free deposits of lime. Water present in the stain solution acts as a catalyst and evokes the reaction mostly after a month of application. The stain reacts with the lime and gives it a translucent color. Each slab of concrete is different and this is the reason that acid stain creates variations throughout. Now you must have got an idea of how to acid stain concrete. A demerit of acid stains is that it highlights the variations like patchwork or cracks throughout.

Using Acrylic Stain

The appearance of the concrete after acrylic staining is semi-translucent and gives a more uniformed look on the concrete. In acid stained concrete, the solution does not react with the stain, rather penetrates into the concrete and acts like a dye. Acrylic staining helps to cover or mask certain defects and variation on the concrete. Apart from all this, it is safe to use it and because it is the best do-it-yourself concrete stain.

This exterior stain is ultra violate rays resistant and are not affected by heat evolved from vehicle tires, foot traffic, moisture, acid and alkalies. It also does not peel off or fade away like paints. You can find a wide variety of colors compared to acid concrete stain. Unique marble effect can be created by using blending technique. Also, other objects like sponge can be used to make different patterns with the color. Thus, acrylic paint can make your concrete floors look more appealing and attractive.

On most of the concrete surfaces, both the stains - acid and acrylic would work, but you have to decide and choose according to the way you want the floor to look. In some conditions one might work better than the other. For example, if the exterior concrete is older than 15-20 years, then acid stain might not work because of less free lime present in it. Acrylic concrete stain would be useful in such conditions. If you are confused about choosing the type of stain, then you can go for both acrylic and acid stains using a technique known as faux finishing technique. This technique is also helpful in fixing bad jobs of acid stain, if it is performed before the sealer enters the surface. The most important process of staining is the preparation that must be done very carefully.

If you have any doubt about exterior painting then you will find this one a bit simple. Staining the exterior concrete by yourself is not at all difficult; all it requires is sincere efforts.