How to Prep Concrete for Staining

Unlike paints which are opaque and can cover most imperfections, concrete stains are semi-transparent. Therefore, any residue remaining on the concrete surface is likely to show through most concrete stain applications. Preparing the concrete surface is the most crucial step to a successful acid staining project outcome. Familiarize yourself with the condition of your concrete as knowing what contaminants to remove will guide you on which cleaning technique to follow.

General Purpose Cleaning

• Apply Concrete Cleaner & Degreaser Solution: The vast majority of concrete slabs only require minimum cleaning using an organic degreaser diluted at a medium concentration with water.
• Scrub Surface: Clean the surface with a soft nylon bristle brush or power wash on a low setting to prepare most floors for staining.
• Rinse Cleaner and Degreaser: Thoroughly rinse the surface with clear water to remove any remaining cleanser.
• Remove Excess Water: Use a shop vacuum, mop and/or squeegee to remove excess water.

Removing Concrete Sealers

First determine if the concrete Was sealed with a solvent-based or water-based concrete sealer:

• Pour a small amount of Xylene on the sealed surface.
• Let Xylene stand for 20 seconds.
• Remove excess and touch area
• If the surface is tacky or sticky then the concrete was sealed with a solvent-based sealer.
• If surface is not tacky or sticky, the concrete was sealed with a water-based sealer.

How to Remove a Solvent-Based Concrete Sealer

• Remove any visible peeling or flaking sealer from surface.
• Apply Xylene to the entire sealed concrete surface.
• Pressure wash.
• Remove excess water with shop vac.

How to Remove a Water-Based Concrete Sealer

• Remove any visible peeling or flaking sealer from surface.
• Use a product such as Blue Bear Soy Gel Coating Remover.
• Don't remove sealer with muriatic acid when acid staining.
• Pressure wash.
• Remove excess water with shop vac.

Removing Concrete Paint

• Remove Debris: Use a shop vacuum or a broom to remove all dirt and debris from concrete surface.
• Apply Paint Stripper: Apply a professional paint stripper. There is no need for harsh chemical products. Industrial strength and environmentally-friendly products such as the Soy Gel & Sealer Stripper get the job done. Apply Soy Gel to the surface between 1/16 and 1/18 inch thick.
• Let Paint Stripper Work: Don’t brush or scrape the surface until the stripper has had time to work (about 30-60 minutes).
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• Check the progress of the stripping action by using a scraper to see if the coating is softened down to the surface. If not, recover area with the soy gel and recheck again later.
• Remove Softened Material: Once the coating has released from the surface, remove with a scraper, industrial wet vacuum or another stripping tool.
• Scrub : Scrub the remaining residue from the concrete with a concrete degreaser and water solution.
• Rinse: Wash until all cleanser residues have been removed

Removing Carpet Glue

• Remove Debris: Use a shop vacuum or a broom to remove all dirt and debris from concrete surface.
• Apply Mastic Remover: Pour Mastic Remover undiluted directly on the concrete surface. Applying too much mastic remover does not increase removal time but will contribute to impeding the complete residue removal. Where there are wide cracks or seals, fill with a commercial absorbent like diatomaceous clay, sawdust, or synthetic absorbent, before pouring the mastic remover on the surface.
• Allow Mastic Remover to Work: Wait until the glue softens (generally 45 – 60 minutes). For best results, cover areas with a plastic sheet or tarp to reduce evaporation. Cover all outdoor applications with plastic.
• Removal: Use a long-handled scraper or squeegee to remove softened carpet glue and excess product.
• Scrub: Brush off the remaining residue from the concrete with a concrete degreaser and water solution.
• Rinse: Wash until all cleanser residues have been removed.

Removing Tough Oil Stains

• Purchase a bag of “oil absorbent,” such as Oil Dri™.
• Create a mound of the material to cover the spill area.
• Pour a solvent like, “Odorless Mineral Spirits” or “Xylene” over the mound and leave until completely dry.
• Once the solvent has evaporated, sweep the oil-dry away and dispose of it responsibly.
• Clean with the Concrete Cleaner & Degreaser and water solution.

Do's and Don'ts When Cleaning For Acid Staining

DO's

• Do remove any substance that may inhibit the acid stain penetration such as grease, oil, carpet glue, sealer and paint.
• Do choose the right cleaning product for the job.
• Do test all cleaning products for effectiveness
• Do remove all cleaning product residue from surface after cleaning. Thoroughly rinse concrete surface with water and use shop vac to remove excess water before staining

DON'Ts

• Don't clean concrete floor with muriatic acid. Muriatic acid depletes the lime content in the concrete which are needed for the acid stain to react with and produce color.
• Don't clean concrete floor with a TSP. TSP is a basic solution that can inhibit the acid stain to react with the minerals in the concrete to develop color.