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Concrete Stain, Coloring Concrete
Concrete Acrylics — These increasingly popular concrete stains create bright colors and also function as problem-solvers for acid stain applications.
by John Chandler
, especially if you do your homework. When applying an acid stain or acrylic stain — or some combination of both — it’s important to know the composition of the concrete surface in question, what sort of color scheme is desired and, if you’re dealing with an exterior area such as a patio or walkway, what sort of weather and foot traffic will come into play.
Most experts agree that a chemical-based or acid stain is the way to go for superior wear and durability, an essential consideration if the surface is in a high-traffic area or subject to UV rays and other climatic factors.
“An acid stain reacts chemically to the lime in the concrete,” says Barbara Sargent, owner of Kemiko Concrete Products in Leonard, Texas. “And it’s permanently coloring the concrete. It’s permanent. You might walk off a sealer or a wax, but you’re not going to walk off a good acid stain.”
To preserve the vibrancy of an acrylic stain, it’s usually necessary to apply a sealer in order to lay down a maintenance coat that will take the brunt of the foot traffic or weather.
Companies referenced in this article:
Duron Wall Coverings
Images in Concrete
Kemiko Concrete Products
Nox Crete Products Group
Smith Paint Products
Working Chemical Solutions
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