Will etching concrete remove stains/discoloration left by carpet glue? However, etching (or washing) concrete with acid opens the pores of the concrete and prepares the surface to accept its next treatment. (0 items) If you're working indoors, use a bucket filled with clean water and a mop to remove any remaining cleaner. Acid etching is the process of neutralizing a concrete surface through the use of muriatic or phosphoric acid. Use when you need a deep etch and are not able to use a grinder. Apply sealant or epoxy. Great advice.". Proper handling is imperative because the acid is in liquid form. Days? Can I remove the glaze from glazed red bricks, to get dull looking bricks? EFFLORESCENCE CLEANING: Before application, determine if the efflorescence or calcium is on the surface and can be scraped with a knife or other scraper. This operation is not a video game. Inspect the surface as the acid works. Oil or Grease Stained Floors: If your concrete oil/grease on the floor, use a cleaner/degreaser a few times and then follow the etching directions. It may be helpful to keep a second bucket or plastic container with you while you work. Can I acid etch concrete that has been sealed with a concrete sealer? Consider carefully adding more acid. Again, muriatic acid can be dangerous - be sure to take the proper precautions. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The acid will render the stain useless on a basic molecular structure. ", "Needed to know how to etch concrete before applying cool kote around pool. It, "I'm acid washing a concrete slab with bad "Slab Edge Dampness". thorough for those who have never tried this. Read entire label prior to use or storage. Wear long sleeves, gloves, eye protection, and, if necessary, a face mask to protect against any fumes. ", "Easy to read, helpful steps. {{ctrl.avgRatingForScrReaders}} Star rating out of 5. ", http://allgaragefloors.com/acid-etch-garage-floor/, http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20174654,00.html, http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/5149721/list/acid-etched-concrete, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Will acid remove stains from concrete floors? After use, rinse thoroughly (3 times) to ensure no etch remains on the surface prior to coating The bottled liquid acid is usually available in the swimming pool supply section of home and garden centers. Alternatively, if you're working in a garage, you may be able to simply rinse your neutralized solution directly out of the garage and into a drain. This article received 15 testimonials and 98% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. More + Product Details Close Last Updated: March 28, 2019 ", "The whole article was very informative, covering the whole process, including neutralizing after etching. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 239,478 times. No. Most detergents are formulated to dissolve oil and grease, making them perfect for degreasing your concrete surface. After using an etcher on the outside, how long is it effective before using a paint coating? Don't let the acid dry on the floor — if you need to, hose down areas that are drying out. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. If you have properly applied the concrete sealer, the only thing that will be affected is the sealer. Achieve the maximum adhesion, durability, and protection offered by Rust-Oleum® EPOXYSHIELD. Your session is about to timeout due to inactivity. Allow newly poured concrete to cure for a minimum of 28 days before etching. ", application of final product. Yes. The preparation usually involves cleaning the surface to remove oil and other unwanted contaminants then “profiling” the concrete by etching with acid or by mechanical abrasion. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Unique buffered mild acid solution has low fumes/odor and is safe for landscape and pets. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/Acid-Etch-Concrete-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Acid-Etch-Concrete-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/Acid-Etch-Concrete-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid3719357-v4-728px-Acid-Etch-Concrete-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"