How to Buy Concrete Etching Equipment
Staining and etching concrete is a popular way to transform a concrete slab into something with a designer look. Concrete etching is most often done on floors, but in order to complete concrete etching, you need to make sure you have the right equipment. Follow these steps to help you buy the right concrete etching equipment for your specific job.
Instructions
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Decide what type of concrete etching you would like to do. Figure out the exact dimensions of the space that you'd like to etch. The type of concrete etching equipment you'll need will depend partly on the size of the area you're working with.
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Carefully analyze the surface of the area you'll be etching. Surfaces with a slight texture will require less chemicals than smoother surfaces. Chemicals, usually a phosphoric acid-based solution, can be self-mixed or come pre-made and are one of the pieces of concrete etching equipment you'll need to get the job done. Smooth surfaces may need a higher concentration or more chemicals to etch it.
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Check the concrete surface you'll be etching to see if there's any contamination. Contamination means that you'll need to purchase a degreaser or liquid rust remover. Even if you don't see any surface contamination, it's a good idea to clean the concrete surface anyways.
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Purchase a pressure washer. The brand you buy doesn't matter as long as it will provide enough water force for the area of concrete you're etching. Rinsing the chemicals off the concrete is a crucial step when etching it to get the right texture that you want. A pressure washer makes sure the chemicals are fully rinsed away once you have the desired texture.
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Get a quality outdoor broom with stiff bristles from any home hardware store. This broom will be used to remove any residue from the etched and dried concrete before you put a coating on it.
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Tips & Warnings
Do some comparison shopping to get the best prices. You can also ask around for brand recommendations to make sure you're getting your money's worth when buying concrete etching equipment.
