Acid Stained Concrete

[Metung]

I am looking at finishes for a concrete deck. One option that seems appealing is to just acid stain it, depending on how easy and cost effective that is. Has anybody had any experience with this process and fi so, any advice would be most welcome. Thanks.

[joe greiner]

Acid etch generally just breaks up the laitance, and exposes aggregates (mostly just the fines). Also gives the cement paste a more uniform appearance. Colour effects will depend on the colours of the cement, sand, and to a limited extent the coarse aggregates. Wear full protective gear and scrub with an acid-resistant or sacrificial brush. Beware that wash-off will be detrimental to any nearby vegetation, and may in fact be illegal under environmental regulations.

Joe