Acid Stain
Acid stains are made from hydrochloric acid, wetting agents and metallic ions. When this solution is placed on concrete, it colors the concrete by chemically combining the metallic ions with the particles in the concrete to form oxides. The finish will not fade or chip – it is permanent. This procedure is not a dye technique like staining leather or wood. The acid stains may not even appear the color they will produce until it has been allowed to remain on the concrete for 4 hours or more and has been tested by dampening with water. For example, the English Red has a dark greenish tint when in the bottle.
Acid stains, unlike paints, are not opaque – they are translucent. Some areas will be darker than others, similar to marble or flagstone. Along with the naturally occurring variegations and marbling, any blemishes and imperfections in your concrete simply add “character and charm”. Even cracks look great! Some designers chip and scar floors before they are stained so the floors have an aged appearance, creating more “ambience”.
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