Stamped Decorative Concrete Westchester County Stampcrete New York

Water born stains are a safe alternative to common acid stains. They contains no hazardous components, yet produce the mottled, variegated look associated with chemical (acid) stains used in decorative concrete. The greatest advantage water born stains have over acid based is that the color is “built-up” with no need to wait for a chemical reaction to take place. No “surprises” await when returning to the jobsite to check on the color development. Neutralization is not necessary when using water born stains and there is no need for double or triple rinsing. Therefore, extended drying times are eliminated. The stain is applied to the surface, the water evaporates out of it and you’re done.

PREPARATION
If the concrete surface does not repel water and is not a really hard trowelled surface then little or no prep work is required. Any previously applied sealer, paint or other oil-based product must be removed.

If the surface is such a hard trowelled surface that the stain can not penetrate, then light sanding or light acid etching should be performed to “open up” the surface. Hydrochloric or phosphoric acid is preferred; muriatic acid tends to leave a yellowing of the surface. Acid containing masonry cleaners may also be used. To test, just apply a small amount of the stain to the surface and leave for a couple of minutes. If the stain doesn’t soak into the surface and wipes up leaving little or no color, then the surface needs to be prepped by sanding or acid etching.

The surface needs to be swept and cleared of debris and dust.

APPLICATION
Water born stain can be sprayed, squirted, mopped, painted or rolled. Though, care must be taken to avoid or cover up straight lines associated with rolling (unless straight lines are desired).

Stain color is built-up and may require repeat applications, depending upon the porosity of the concrete. It is not recommended for use on extremely porous substrates (concrete block or “just floated and broomed” surfaces).

When using a single color of water stain, the first step is to apply completely over the entire surface. A single color of stain, in single application, achieves mottling by the varying degrees of porosity within the surface of the concrete. Additional “acid” effects are achieved through further applications, either in complete coverage or random, haphazard applications. Further applications depend upon desired look and porosity of the concrete.

The results that can be obtained by using water stain have been limited, up to this point, only by imagination. Some guidelines or “pointers”

When using multiple colors, apply the lighter colors first.
However, yellow can be applied over red to “orange” it up a bit.
White can be applied first, either in complete coverage or randomly, which results in more extreme mottling and a broader range of colors. The white base coat allows for brighter, more vibrant, colors.
The White stains are of heavier pigment loading and care is recommended when applying white over other colors, as the white may be too overbearing. The white also shows settling, so keep product shaken or stirred.
Each coat contributes a little “primer effect” to the successive coat. Meaning that each additional coat may take longer to dry, and the latter application may be more pronounced. This depends upon the color and “density” of application. ( Black overrides red, red overrides yellow)
The colors can be mixed in any fashion. They can be mixed together before application, and will actually “separate” a little to produce mottling by slightly different colors. More control and distinct colors is achieved by building one color on top of the other.
Spraying to some saturation (even puddling), followed by blotting or swirling with a mop has produced some attractive results.
The edges of puddles will leave very distinctive veining, upon drying.
If white is mixed with other colors, it penetrates faster, so “mopping” a puddle may actually turn out lighter then surrounding areas.
If some areas of the substrate are to be discovered to be much more porous then others, spend some time and product on these areas, before finishing the entire job. A light application of Eagle Primer may be needed at such specific locations.

Another key advantage of water born stains is that they come in a rainbow of 24 different colors. And, colors can be blended together to achieve virtually any desired look. All of the colors appearing in the following chart are available for pick up or immediate delivery. One gallon of stain can cover up to 300 square feet. This stain can be cut with water to extend its coverage and to lessen its “punch” if so desired. Since it’s water based it is shipped, stored and handled as a non-hazardous material.