Photos Application MSDS Specifications Color Chart

Eco-Stain is an exciting alternative to typical reactive acid stains. There are no acids or harmful chemicals integrated in its design. Since no chemical reaction takes place, there is no extended waiting time for color to reach full development. Eco-Stain penetrates the inherent porosity of cementitious products to produce color. Color may be “built up” without the worry of spending all the alkalinity, as with acid stain. Eco-Stain saves time on the job with no rinsing, no mopping, no neutralizing, and no residue.

How to choose the right Concrete Stain?

Among the many choices to decoratively color concrete surfaces, concrete staining is widely popular. The various hues created by staining concrete can never be approached by integral color or pigmented colored sealers (paints), which are more uniform in nature. The variety and color intensity can be so variable with concrete stains that a predictable result is unattainable, adding to its natural beauty. For this reason a sample is always appropriate for approval, prior to commencing a stained concrete project. What follows is a short summary of two of the most popular staining methods: reactive acid concrete stains and water based concrete stains.

 

Eco-Stain -  An Eco Friendly Concrete Stain

Water based concrete stains, such as Eco-Stain, deliver micronized pigments into the concrete without the addition of acids or metallic ions to create rich colors. An excellent choice for “GREEN” concrete projects. Water based concrete stains are also more user-friendly than the typical reactive acid stain and offer a variety of application techniques. You will also find that Eco-Stains create the same lush, multi-hued look of traditional reactive acid stains. Typically there are many more color choices available, as color is achieved from pigments, not chemical reaction. Currently there are 29 UV stable colors to choose from. You can apply them wet on wet, wet on dry, sprayed out of an airless gun or pump sprayer and brushed or sponged on to the concrete surface.

Variation in the concrete stain color is achieved through the variation in porosity of the concrete. Unlike reactive acid stains, colors develop quickly and can be approved on site within minutes of application. All of the cleaning and preparation work for water base stains are identical to reactive acid stain described above.

Application of water based concrete stains are usually accomplished with spray equipment. Best results are obtained through multiple light coats. Brushing, ragging, sponging, and mopping will yield one-of-a-kind results that blend colors in uncommon fashion. Drips, runs, and errors are not permanent if the water based concrete stain does not completely dry. For experienced reactive acid stain installers, the most difficult aspect of working with Eco-Stain, is that they don’t hiss, smoke, burn, or sting. In the absence of those usual elements, an installer wonders how is the color “getting in?” The simple answer is that the pigments are fine enough to penetrate the pores of the concrete and numerous enough to show color. This makes Eco-Stain the preferred LEED and GREEN concrete stain application.

Among the most advantageous elements of water based concrete stains are the ability to proceed with sealing immediately upon adequate drying. No clean-up, no neutralization are required.

 

SureStain – Low Reactive Acid Concrete Stain

Reactive acid stains are comprised of a wetting agent, a solution of hydrochloric or phosphoric acid, and salts (metallic ions). When applied on concrete (or any cementitious composition) the metallic ions chemically react with the free alkaline in the cement forming oxides that produce the visible color. When you think of oxides, you might remember from elementary science classes that rust is an oxide. Rust is generally a reddish brown to nearly black, and most of the browns, tans, reds, and black of acid stains come from iron ions. Most blues and greens of acid stains come from copper ions. The variation of  alkalinity in concrete causes the variegated, mottled look that is so appealing in coloring. The same variation is responsible for the unpredictability of coloring concrete. Someone looking for a totally even color or very specific shade of color should be steered clear of reactive acid stain.

SureStain, a reactive acid concrete stain, is made to go on “naked” concrete. There can be no curing agents or sealers to block the concrete stain. Preparation of the concrete always includes cleaning. Many commercial concrete cleaners are suitable and readily available. Most cleaners require rinsing or at least mopping until the rinse water is clean. For premier cleaning results utilize a black pad on a rotational floor scrubbing machine. Although reactive acid stains can be applied on concrete that is not fully cured, the final color will not be achieved until the concrete is fully cured. This makes the creation of a sample difficult if not impossible. Usually the acid is capable of burning the salts into the concrete, however, concrete that has been hard troweled, especially “burned” black or blue may require profiling to accept the stain. A simple test of applying water to the concrete surface and observing whether it readily absorbs or beads up will determine if the stain will “bite.” The concrete must absorb and darken up with the introduction of water.

Most installers will utilize acid resistant sprayers to apply the stain. Brushing or brooming the wet stain may be necessary or desired especially if the concrete is not completely flat. Puddles of reactive acid stain may react with too much variance to be pleasing. Ordinarily two coats of concrete stain are needed for preferred results. Many different installation techniques are available to experienced installers that create unique looks: layering colors, adding ironite or miracle-grow fertilizer, using a leaf blower on puddles, and so on. Drips, spills, or bleeds across masked areas are permanent. Little room for error is allowed when staining with reactive acid.

A low pH residue is typically formed on the surface of dried reactive acid stained concrete. Prior to sealing, this residue must be removed and neutralized. A simple ammonia rinse can turn the slab back to neutral pH. Some residues require real effort and scrubbing to remove. A few manufacturers offer low residue reactive acid stains that require a simple clean-up with no neutralizing.