Click/Tap each question to hide/show the answers. How does AcquaTint™ work? AcquaTint™ is a low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound), water based concrete sealer with pigment added to it - along with a few other ingredients. It’s a stain and sealer in one, allowing you to stain and subtly color your concrete simultaneously. When you apply the sealer, the pigments suspend in the sealer, providing beautiful, tinted color. AcquaTint™ produces a semi-translucent color with a much more natural look and durable finish than concrete paint.
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Where can I apply AcquaTint™ colored sealer? Effective on most concrete surfaces, AcquaTint™ is a UV stable colorant that can be applied on both indoor and outdoor projects. For best results, we recommend that tinted sealer is applied in areas intended primarily for foot traffic.
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I’ve just applied AcquaTint™ to my concrete and after it dried, it barely has color. What happened? Fortunately, this isn’t something we hear very often. The good news is that concrete pigments don't disappear! Assuming your concrete surface is in relatively decent condition and isn't extremely deteriorated, the tinted sealer you applied is still in place. Sometimes on severely aged or deteriorated concrete surfaces, the extreme porosity "drinks" the sealer in. As the pores absorb the sealer, the pigments are taken with it - diminishing the color result. It may take additional coats of concrete sealer to develop a more vibrant color. In this case, we prefer to review your project with you before you apply more product.
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How do I know if my concrete is properly prepared for AcquaTint™ tinted sealer? Before applying AcquaTint™, you should lightly etch the surface of the concrete with CitrusEtch™ concrete etcher (or sand) if the surface is very smooth. The sanded or etched surface will promote better adhesion of the sealer as it bonds to your concrete.
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How much surface preparation is required to use AcquaTint™? Surface preparation is often the most critical factor in any successful decorative concrete project. In order to achieve the best results, the concrete surface should be free of cure and seal, sealer, paint, dirt, grime, and grease. Remember to practice proper preparation - if the sealer can't bond well, it can lead to the finish peeling up along with the color. Trust us, it's totally worth it to put in the extra time to set yourself up for a successful and long-lasting project!
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I purchased the amount of product your concrete stain calculator recommended based on my square footage, and still needed more. What happened? Depending on your concrete surface and chosen application methods, coverage rates can vary. We follow industry standards of approximately 200 square feet per gallon, which commonly applies to lower viscosity products like colorants and concrete sealers.
First, it's always good to double-check your calculation of square footage. From there, a few variables come into play. How porous, weathered, or worn is your concrete? How heavily are you applying the product? On smoother, less porous concrete, you may find you're getting a bit more coverage than anticipated. For stamped, textured, or more weathered, porous concrete, you may get a bit less coverage. These variables aren't calculation errors, but more of a common indefinite. When in doubt, follow the general construction rule of rounding up for your supply needs.
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I applied AcquaTint™ concrete sealer and it started to flake or peel off, what did I do wrong? Most often, any sealer releasing from concrete is due to a short list of reasons. - The concrete wasn’t properly cleaned and dirt, residues, or other contaminants prevented proper adhesion.
- The concrete was too smooth (slick), and the tight surface did not allow proper penetration or adhesion to the concrete.
- When sealer is over-applied, the heavy amount of caked-on acrylic becomes soft or spongy, leading to a weakened finish that will deteriorate quickly. This can also lead to trapped moisture, particularly on exterior concrete.
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I applied AcquaTint™ on my concrete surface and there are areas that look hazy or whitish in color, what is going on? This somewhat common problem can be avoided with a few simple considerations. First, what's happening? The culprit is usually moisture. Most acrylic sealers are designed to pass around 3% or 4% of moisture when applied correctly in two thin coats. When the moisture rate exceeds this, the moisture cannot escape, becomes trapped, and creates a white or cloudy effect. A few preventative measures: - Make sure that the concrete you're sealing isn’t located in a space that holds water after rain for an extended period. Sealers left submerged underwater will soon begin to lose performance.
- If your concrete is in low-lying areas at risk of being submerged, consider installing these areas, drains, rock beds over sand for quick absorption of water, or a trench next to the concrete so water can be redirected away from your decorative finish.
Decorative finish or not, this would be good practice for any concrete surfaces to simply protect your investment.
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