PREPARATION

1. Do I have to sand the floor? What are my options?
No, you do not have to sand the floor; however, mechanical sanding can provide the best staining results in terms of color. Sanding removes a top layer of the concrete and allows the Deco-Etch Acid Stain to penetrate deeper and produces a richer color. If sanding is not an option, use Safe Etch cleaner to prepare the floor for staining.

2. Where do I get the sanding equipment?
The proper sanding equipment can be found at your local rental store. The store can recommend the proper sander and provide appropriate sanding screens.

3. What is the best way to prepare old concrete for Deco-Etch Acid Stain?
The best option is to first sand the floor with a mechanical sander and then clean the floor with Safe Etch.

4. What do I do about the tack strips found when I removed the carpet?
Remove the strips from the concrete and patch any holes in the concrete. Note, these patches will often stain at a different color than the existing concrete.

5. How do I remove glue from concrete?
Mechanical sanding is your best choice for removing the residue left from glue that has been used on the floor. The proper sanding equipment can be found at your local rental store.

6. How do I remove chalk lines and pencil marks off the concrete?
A product called Safe Etch is effective in removing chalk and pencil marks. Simply spot cleaning the marks off with Safe Etch could leave spots that will be noticeable when stain is applied. The best solution is to spot clean the marks off, then clean the entire floor with Safe Etch to even out the acid reactivity of the stain. Mechanical sanding can also be used to remove these types of marks.

7. How soon can I stain after my concrete is poured?
We recommend waiting a minimum of 14 days before staining with Deco-Etch Acid Stain. The concrete needs to cure before the stain can achieve its optimum effectiveness.

8. Will the concrete additive, calcium chloride, affect the Deco-Etch Stain?
Yes, calcium chloride additives will adversely affect the color of the acid stain.

9. Should I cover my walls before I use Deco-Etch Acid Stain even if I’m going to paint them later?
Yes, we have found that it is hard to paint over spots where the Deco-Etch has hit the walls. Please protect all surfaces that are not to be stained.

10. Someone told me to protect my floors during the construction process before I stain. Can I just tape paper or plastic to the floors?
No, use brown craft paper and tape it to itself not to the floor. There are chemicals in the tape which will react with the floor and will show up when you stain. Also, don’t apply tape to your floor after you have sealed it. Tape will pull up most sealers from the floor.