How do you acid stain concrete?

Acid stain a concrete floor by preparing the room, applying the stain, neutralizing the acid and applying a sealer. Every concrete slab reacts differently with the acid stain, so colors and patterns vary.

1. Prepare the room

   Empty the room, and clean the floor thoroughly before beginning the process. Remove any trim from where the floor meets the walls, and mask the walls.

2. Apply the stain

   Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes when working with acid stain. Mix the stain following the manufacturer's directions. Pour the mix in a clean garden sprayer, and test the spray pattern before applying the mix to concrete. Keep the spray wand about 18 inches off the floor, and use a random pattern. Make sure the entire floor is wet, but avoid creating puddles. Allow the stain to dry for about an hour, and apply a second coat. Continue applying coats until the floor reaches the desired color.

3. Neutralize the acid

   Clean the garden sprayer, and fill with a 20 percent solution of household ammonia in water. Spray this solution on the floor to neutralize the acid, and allow it to dry.

4. Clean the floor

   Clean any etching residue from the floor by mopping and vacuuming away any excess water. Allow the concrete to dry.

5. Apply the sealer

   Apply a concrete sealer designed for use with acid-stained concrete.