Preliminary Testing
Before using the product for your entire project, try it out on a small, hidden area of the surface you'll be working on. This will let you see how it looks and if it's the right fit for your project.
Pre-Application
- Clean & Dry: Antiquing™ should be applied to a surface that is completely clean and dry. If the surface was cleaned with water or pressure washed, allow it to dry for at least 24 hours before staining. Ensure the surface is free from dust, dirt, oil, grease, paints, glues, curing agents, efflorescence, chemical contaminants, rust, algae, mildew, and other materials that might prevent proper bonding.
- Cured: The concrete or overlay must be fully cured before application. It is recommended that cement-based products cure for at least 28 days to achieve optimal results.
- Temperature: For optimal results, apply Antiquing™ when temperatures are between 40°F (4°C) and 95°F (35°C).
- Sound: Apply only to cement-based products that are not flaking or spalling. The substrate must be structurally sound. For surfaces showing signs of delamination, employ diamond grinding, shot blasting, or similar mechanical methods for removal.
- Profiled: Perform an absorption test to check if the concrete is ready for staining. Pour water onto the concrete surface and wait for 3-5 minutes. If the water is not absorbed, the surface will need to be cleaned and etched with CitrusEtch™ to open the pores of the concrete. Detailed instructions can be found in the CitrusEtch™ Technical Data Sheet. If the concrete absorbs the water, it is ready for Antiquing™ application.
- Ventilation: When applying, be aware that odors can be strong. Ensure the area is properly ventilated during application to maintain a safe and comfortable working environment.
Preparation Tips
- Block HVAC ducts to prevent solvent spread and odors. Ensure all ignition sources, like pilot lights, are extinguished before starting.
- Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment as recommended in the Safety Data Sheet.
- Protect surfaces not intended for staining by covering surrounding areas to prevent accidental application.
- Avoid using tape on concrete surfaces before or after staining, as adhesives and plasticizers can interfere with the stain's effectiveness.
Application Process
- Before application, thoroughly mix Antiquing™ Stain to ensure uniformity. If using multiple jugs from different production lots, combine and mix them together to guarantee even coloration across the project.
- Plan the work area in manageable sections, utilizing natural break points such as walls and joints to avoid discrepancies in application. Maintain control of wet edges to reduce overlap marks.
- Apply Antiquing™ Stain using the prepared pump-up sprayer (with the filter removed) in a circular spraying motion.
- Two saturating coats may be applied successively, without waiting for the first to dry, to ensure thorough coverage and optimal color depth.
- Use spiked shoes if walking on the stained area is necessary. Avoid walking on wet stain to maintain a smooth, even application.
- Apart from spraying, methods like mopping, sponging, and ragging are effective, particularly for creating accents and artistic finishes.
- Over-application should be avoided; excess stain that doesn’t penetrate the concrete surface can hinder sealer adhesion. If stain can be easily wiped away after application, it indicates insufficient surface penetration, necessitating further surface preparation.
- Allow the final coat of Antiquing™ Stain to dry completely, usually over a minimum of 8 hours, to ensure solvent gases fully evaporate, preventing blotchy spots under the sealer.
- Although Antiquing™ Stain is applied in rich color, it dries to an almost colorless state until the sealer is applied, which significantly enhances the color depth.
- Apply a high-solid content acrylic sealer, a critical step to ensure the protection, enhancement, and durability of the stain's color and finish.
Limitations
- Batch Variability: The supply of specialized pigments may vary between batches. To ensure color consistency, use the same batch for the entire job or mix multiple batches together (“boxing”).
- Surface Characteristics: Antiquing™ Stain is a translucent stain designed to enhance but not hide the concrete surface. It won't cover discolorations, blemishes, cracks, or other irregularities and may highlight differences in porosity. Typically, it appears lighter when dry than when wet.
- Surface Compatibility: Antiquing™ Stain might not adhere well to hard-troweled (smoothly machine-finished) surfaces.
- Sealant Requirement: Antiquing™ Stain requires a sealer for color enhancement; it is not a standalone sealant product.
- Color Accuracy: While efforts are made to accurately represent colors in product literature, photos, and sample color chips, the actual color achieved on concrete can significantly differ. This discrepancy stems from the stain's translucent nature, allowing the color of the concrete base to affect the final shade.
Slip Resistance
Antiquing™ Stain does not affect slip resistance, which is determined by the chosen sealer. For enhanced slip-resistance on exterior surfaces, add OxiGrip™ to the sealer.
Sealing
Antiquing™ Stain on concrete requires sealing to encapsulate the pigments and preserve the color and finish.
- Choose between EasySeal™ Satin or AcquaSeal™ Satin. Both provide a satin finish that is less slippery compared to their gloss counterparts. For detailed information on sealers, refer to AcquaSeal™ TDS and EasySeal™ TDS.
- Keep in mind that EasySeal™, being solvent-based, generally enriches and darkens the stain color more than the water-based AcquaSeal™.
- Gloss Finish Consideration: If using gloss finish sealers, which can make surfaces more slippery, consider adding OxiGrip™ slip-resistant additive to the second coat for enhanced safety.
Coverage
Estimated coverage is around 200 square feet per gallon, varying with surface conditions and application methods.
Clean-Up
| Product |
Clean-Up |
| Antiquing™ Stain |
Xylene |
| AcquaSeal™ Water-based Sealer |
ProClean Degreaser™ and warm water |
| EasySeal™ Solvent-based Sealer |
Xylene |
Disposal
Dispose of unused product according to local environmental or hazardous waste regulations.
Shelf Life and Storage
Use Antiquing™ Stain within one year of purchase and store it in a cool, indoor location away from sunlight and heat.
Maintenance
- Regularly inspect exterior sealed surfaces for wear and reapply sealer as needed.
- For interior surfaces, monitor and maintain wax coatings or polish, especially in high-traffic areas.
Safety & Precautions
DANGER: HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED. COMBUSTIBLE. Do not swallow. Do not get in eyes or on skin or clothing. Do not breathe fumes. Keep away from heat, sparks and open flames. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. Wear a mask. Wear safety glasses and chemical resistant gloves. Use only in a well-ventilated area.
Contains: Petroleum Distillates and Aliphatic amine derivative
FIRST AID TREATMENT: If swallowed, call physician immediately. Do not induce vomiting. If in eyes or on skin, rinse well with water. If on clothes, remove clothes. If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
Warranty
Antiquing™ Stain is guaranteed for uniform quality within manufacturing tolerances. No warranty is provided for its application effects. Liability for defects is limited to refunding the purchase price. Users bear all other risks and liabilities. For inquiries, contact Direct Colors customer service.
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