How to Stain a Patio with Acid
Acid stain is the stain most commonly used on concrete patios, due to the stain's ability to "burn" into the concrete so that it becomes permanent and cannot be washed away by the elements. Staining a patio with acid stain is a basic process that many homeowners can accomplish without the help of an expert, but it can also be a dangerous process. One of the most important parts of the staining process is protecting yourself before you get started. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Push broom
- Hose
- Wire brush
- Plastic sheeting
- Tape
- Acid stain
- Paint trays
- Sponge
- Sprayer
- Paint roller
- Concrete sealer
Instructions
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1
Sweep the surface of the concrete to remove any loose dirt, and then wet the surface with a hose and push the water off with the broom. If sticky or greasy spots won't come clean with water alone, scrub the spot with a wire brush to remove caked-on dirt and stains. Rinse with water and allow the patio to dry completely.
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2
Tape plastic sheeting on any item around the patio on which you do not want to get stain. Tape the sheeting on the bases of all walls that meet the patio and on the edges of all floors that meet the patio, and lay the sheeting over natural areas, such as grass or soil, to prevent as much stain from getting in the area as possible.
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3
Put on a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and gloves. Also wear goggles and a respirator mask during the staining process to prevent burns from stain spills and inhaling the stain.
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4
Test the stain on an inside corner of the patio where the concrete comes up against the house. Use tape to mark off a small square, mix up just enough stain solution, at a ratio of 1 part stain to 1 part water, in a paint tray, and apply to the test area with a paint roller. Allow to dry completely, approximately three hours, and then check the stain.
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5
Apply acid stain to the entire patio if the color turned out the way that you want it. Stain can be applied by mixing it into a sprayer and spraying the stain over the entire surface of the patio or by pouring stain on the surface and using a push broom to move the stain around until the entire surface is covered. Allow the stain to dry for at least three hours.
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6
Seal the stain with a concrete sealer. Pour the sealer into a paint tray and roll it over the surface of the patio with a paint roller so that the entire patio gets coated. Allow the sealer to dry completely, and the new stain on your patio will have an extra layer of protection from the elements.
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