Concrete Stains, Colors & Sealers

Kemiko Stain Concrete Application Tipsprintable version

General

DO NOT ACID WASH BEFORE APPLYING KEMIKO STAIN

It is always recommended that a small out-of-the-way section of your project be tested to see if the desired reaction occurs. If it does not, you probably have surface contaminants on your slab.

Concrete

When choosing the proper mix for your new slab we recommend our customers to use MMC’s “STAINED CONCRETE FLOOR MIX”. This mix is designed to bring out the best possible color for your stained floors. A concrete slab must have cured for six (6) weeks. The optimum time to stain as new home is after the framing is completed and just prior to the sheetrock being hung. We recommend that you protect your new slab during construction with paper or cardboard as the initial cleaning step will be much easier. All laborers should be advised that the slab would be the finished floor.

If scoring is desired, giving the impression of stone or tile, we suggest that it be done within three to four days after the slab is poured, and we suggest the scoring grove be no deeper than 1/8 inch. Deeper grooves will collect dirt. Scoring can also be done on older slabs.

Step ONE | Wash

Wash the concrete surface, as it must be clean and free of paints, wax, grease, dirt, and other surface contaminants. Do not acid wash or use heavy alkali cleaners. Tri sodium phosphate (TSP) is an excellent mild all purpose cleaner (available at hardware or janitorial supply stores) and when mixed with water, can be used to clean the slab by scrubbing with a long handled stiff brush and then wet vacuumed (preferred) or mopped (several moppings may be necessary) to remove all dirt. After washing, allow the floor to dry completely.

Protect all walls with tape and paper. Do not allow the stain to touch any wood or metal and do not apply tape directly to concrete.

Step TWO | Stain

Generally, you will mix equal parts stain with equal parts water (50%-50%). You can apply the mixture with a brush, mop or sponge, however, we suggest that you consider using an all plastic garden pump-up sprayer (no metal parts) as you can control volume much easier. Remember that VOLUME EQUALS DEPTH OF COLOR.

Make sure all container lids are tight and shake vigorously before using. Put the water in the spray container, and then add equal parts stain. Close the lid, pump up the pressure and begin randomly spraying the mixture on the floor by holding the nozzle of the wand approximately 18 inches from the floor. Try to avoid back and forth motions.

Try not to leave puddles. As you stain there may be varying degrees of fizzing and there will not be a lot of color. Let dry.

Drying time will depend on porosity, temperature, humidity, and volume, but it generally takes several hours. Do not walk on the floor while it is wet or damp. Do not remove residue that is left from the chemical reaction.

Using the same product as mentioned above, apply the second application. Again allow the floor to dry completely. You will notice darker tones of color appear at this time.

Step THREE | Stain

After the floor has completely dried, scrub off the residue with a long handled medium stiff bristle brush and water only. Remove the water/residue mixture from the floor by mop or squeegee or (preferable) a wet vacuum. Allow the floor to dry completely.

Step FOUR | Sealing & Waxing

This step is the most important and you need to make sure the floor is completely dry before applying sealer to floor. (IF NOT THIS CAN CAUSE THE FLOOR TO HAVE A MILK LIKE APPEARANCE). Apply with a thin knap roller (not cotton) putting two thin coats on the floor. You don’t want to over roll in the same area. This causes roller marks and air bubbles. Some areas may seem to be drawing up more sealer than others. That’s fine. It will even out on the next coat. After floor is dry you can apply wax/hardener with either a lamb’s wool applicator or a rayon mop simply by pushing the wax/hardener around the floor. BUFFING IS NOT REQUIRED. If needed you can apply a second coat of wax/hardener.

Coverage of Products

STAIN: 400 Sq. Feet Per Gallon Kemiko Stone Tone Stain
SEALER: 400 Sq. Feet Per Gallon Acrylic or Water Based
Wax/Hardener 1000 Sq. Feet Per Gallon Chem-Coat 5000

Conclusion

Should you have any questions regarding the application of Kemiko products, we encourage you to call and discuss them with us.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS - KEEP OUT OF REACH OF - CHILDREN