After every new construction projects, new concrete can be overpowering due to it's bright white color. Fortunately, acid stains can change that in a matter of 15-30 minutes. For the last 10 years, we've done quite a bit of concrete staining here and there, and I learned a few tricks. For example, the colors never turn out exactly as they claim. Therefore I simply buy the color black, which turns out to be more of a deep brown/gray color and resembles native rock fairly well. From there, it can be diluted with water to tone the color lighter or darker. In the case of the new Security building walkway, I sprayed 100% concentrated acid stain to achieve the darkest color possible. Also treated, were the new concrete parking stops. The number of coats applied will also dictate how deep the color is. It's applied through a 2 gallon hand pump sprayer, making it very simple. The interesting thing about acid stain, is that is isn't a stain in the sense you stain wood. In that case, the stain is absorbed into the wood fiber and stains the wood a different color. Acid stain is an actual chemical reaction that occurs on the surface of the concrete, altering the color chemically. The other thing I've yet to understand, is how different types of concrete effect the color result. Depending on the finish of the concrete, the color may end up lighter or darker. Specifically, broom finished concrete always seems to turn darker, and I feel it has something to do with the rough surface providing more surface area, compared to a slick basement floor finish. The point is, if you ever decide to try this, test an area fist because once it is applied, there is no going back. In the end however, my goal is to take something that stands out and turn it a more natural, organic color.
