DIY Acid Stained Concrete

Acrylic sealers accomplish two critical things. Sealers bring out the color and depth of the stain. You will have noticed that when the stain is wet it looks nice, but as it dries it looks dull and lifeless. The sealer makes it look wet forever! Sealing the concrete also protects the stain. Even though the stain is incorporated into the top layer of the actual concrete, without a sealer it will wear down over time. High traffic areas would wear down to the grey concrete and it would look bad. Some commercial jobs will show traffic patterns from this problem (usually due to poor maintenance as opposed to bad application).

Caution! Acrylic sealers are very high in VOCs. This means that they are very toxic and should only be applied in well ventilated areas and with proper safety equipment. You may think we’re just being on the safe side, but we can asssure you that a good dose of sealer fumes will put you down fast. That is very bad!

Make sure the floor is spotless.

This is your last chance to make sure that all of the stain residue is removed from the floor. It is also your chance to get any little debris off of the floor. The sealer will seal that kind of stuff right on to the floor forever. Inevitably, some grit or a bug will get in your sealer, but do the best you can.

Apply the sealer.

Pour a little sealer in a paint tray. Use a 3/8″ knap roller on a long handle to apply the sealer. Roll on a good amount of sealer, but not so much that the roller drips. Like the stain, be cautious not to apply too much sealer.

Start with the edges of the room.

Apply the sealer in very even strokes in a fairly slow and steady motion. Apply in sections, but make sure to slightly overlap edges. Smooth, even application is important. Do not waste time because the sealer dries fast.

Obviously, it is bad to seal yourself into a corner, so plan ahead. It is a bad idea to walk or go back over sealer that is starting to dry. If you absolutely have to, try to apply very thin layers of new sealer to cover your tracks.

Let the first coat dry.

The first coat of sealer will take 12 hours or more to dry. It should be completely dry to the touch and not tacky at all. If you are even slightly unsure, let it dry longer.

Apply a second coat of sealer.

Apply the second coat of sealer just like you did the first coat. This coat will be harder to see, so it is important to go in sections and be smooth. Catching the light at certain angles can help you to see where you’ve been.

Let the second coat dry.

The second coat of sealer should dry for at least 24 hours. As with all drying times, this can vary based on conditions. Wet, humid weather will slow drying significantly. It is not unreeasonable to let a coat dry for two or more days. Do not use fans or other intense circulation to dry the sealer. It needs to cure at its own pace.

You are now ready for the final step; applying the wax.

Next: Applying the wax.