Acid staining concrete is a process in which an aqueous solution of metallic oxides and inorganic acid is sprayed over an existing concrete surface. This acidic solution of metallic oxide reacts with lime (Calcium Hydroxide) present in the concrete yielding insoluble, colored compounds that become a permanent part of the concrete.
Therefore, one of the basic conditions where coloring concrete using acid stains is going to work is the presence of lime in the concrete. Quiet often people who have just bought a home or condo, remove the carpeting or vinyl tile, and find something underneath which they believe is concrete. When they spray the acid stain or reactive stain and wait to get disappointed because they do not get desired results. This is because the substrate that looks like concrete is in fact gypsum based subfloor. Builders often use this on upper floors to level out areas of sub flooring and provide a good base for other types of floor coverings. Unfortunately, staining gypsum subfloors does not produce any desirable results since it does not contain any lime; moreover it is too soft and easily abraded. Therefore quite often gypsum underlayments cannot be used as a wear layer.
Since gypsum based subfloors (Gypcrete) cannot be used as a wear layer or finished floors and acid stains do not work on them, it is a usual practice to apply a 1 polymer modified concrete resurfacing material (also called microtopping or microcement). One of the key things to remember here is the bonding of micro-topping or concrete overlay to gypsum based subfloors or underlayments. This mircotopping (or microcement) not only should bond to the substrate but it should be able to produce beautiful acid stain colors. Please find below the steps involved in resurfacing Gypsum Subfloor and acid staining with a micro-topping or skim coat –
- Sweep the gypsum subfloor and dry vacuum the surface thoroughly. Rake out the joints where drywall meets the floor. Clean the adjoining areas even those not being resurfaced with a micro-topping.
- Install masking paper (plastic) at least 48” high on the surrounding walls. Spray a light mist of water just to damp the surface (DO NOT FLOOD!)
- Using a brand new rayon mop, apply the first coat of acrylic primer (CP1000) after diluting it with water @ 1:1 ratio. After waiting for at least 60 minutes, apply second coat of diluted acrylic primer and let it cure overnight (or 10 hours at least) before proceeding to the next step.
- Apply another coat of acrylic primer, this time non-diluted and let it dry for 30-60 minutes. The third coat of primer can be applied using a sprayer.
- Apply a thin coat (1/16”) coat of micro-topping or polymer modified overlay using magic trowel. Please follow the link for specific instruction on application of polymer modified microtopping (also called microcement), Skraffino. Allow the micro-topping to cure for at least 24 hours. In damp and cold conditions (basements), wait for at least 48 hours before proceeding to the next step.
- Apply the acid stain on the completely cured micro-topping. Please follow the link for specific instruction on application of the acid stain, Patinaetch. Allow the acid stained surface to dry for at least 24 hours before proceeding to the next step.
- The micro-topping needs to be protected with a good quality sealer. Apply one coat of water based epoxy sealer, Perdure E32 followed be another coat of water based polyurethane, Perdure U46. Allow at least 6 hours between the application of epoxy primer and polyurethane.
Please Click Here to watch the complete installation steps over gypsum based underlayments. Please follow the link to purchase complete flooring kits.
