Acid staining concrete floors is a great way to turn concrete into beautiful living and working surfaces. The process (done right) is green for the environment, and when you consider the relationship between cost and value (especially long term) for an acid stained floor, acid staining leaves green in your wallet.

Before you make the decision to acid stain a floor, whether you plan on doing it yourself or hiring an acid staining contractor, it's a good idea to evaluate your floor with regards to the condition it's in now to help determine how it will look after the acid staining and coating process is completed.

Here are the basics; Acid staining changes the color of concrete. Concrete coatings bring out the color and make it shiny. Take this simple concept and factor in the variables and then decide if this is the right floor for you.

Paint drips and over-spray, oil from leaky machines and pipe threaders, layout markings, and other stains need to be removed or they will become part of the "character" of your floor. Often times the methods you choose to remove these markings affect how the acid stains will react with the concrete floor.
Scratches, cracks and divots don't go away on their own. Patching them smooths out the floor but also draws attention to the repaired area. Concrete slabs are often finished by the lowest bidding subcontractor who doesn't know or care that the concrete floor is going to be seen as the finished product. Finishing irregularities won't go away just because you squirt out a little acid stain and cover it up with a clear sealer.

Concrete is more than just gray. There are many shades of concrete and many color tones. A close look at the surface of any slab reveals swirls and patterns that come from the finishing and curing process.  Keep in mind that the acid stain is going to add color to the existing color and look of what is already there. Acid stains will react differently with different slabs and this reaction can be affected by temperature, humidity, and perhaps even the phase of the moon and ancient Indian curses. You will get something in the color direction of what you saw on the color chart, but you won't know exactly how it's going to look until the final coat of sealer dries.

Perhaps you've seen a floor that you like. You want THAT floor. You can replicate the steps that were used to produce that floor but there is no guarantee that the floor is going to turn out exactly the same. It's going to be beautiful but it will probably have its own character and color tones. So expect to be surprised. Acid staining is vibrant and dynamic. Your floor will be unique and one of a kind (just like everybody else's). Marks and variations in the floor are character, and tell a tale of past use and abuse. You should decide ahead which problems you want to address and which ones you can live with (it's back to that "character" thing.

It's not a case of being right or wrong, It's a personal choice. There are tricks and techniques that most applicators have up their sleeves that can be used to address problems we encounter. It's always best to discuss this before the project gets underway so client and contractor can arrive at that sweet spot that lies between expectations and budget.


High Tech Surface Solutions has been in the business of decorative concrete flooring since 1991. We have developed our own style of acid staining, concrete polishing and decorative overlays using experiences gained in the industrial and commercial world of concrete repair and protection. We are happy to answer your questions and welcome your comments. We are based out of Atlanta, GA and our service area includes all of Georgia and most of the surrounding states including; Alabama, Florida, South and North Carolina and Tennessee. Please contact us with your questions and comments. Our website is http://www.diacrete,com and our phone number is 678 377 8083.