CONCRETE IMPRESSIONS

Stains for concrete come in two general categories: acid-based chemical stains and water-based acrylics.

ACID STAINS 

Most acid stains are a mixture of water, hydrochloric acid and acid-soluble metallic salts. They work by penetrating the surface and reacting chemically with the hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) in the concrete. The acid in the stain lightly etches the surface, allowing the metallic salts to penetrate more easily. Once the stain reacts, it becomes a permanent part of the concrete and won't fade, chip off or peel away. The palette for acid stains is generally limited to earthy tones, such as tans, browns, terra cottas and soft blue-greens (see this color chart for Butterfield Sierra Stains).

Exterior StainingPelicans Cove - Aransas Pass, TX

 

TRANSPARENT CONCRETE STAINS

Transparent Stain represents the latest in nanopigment technology. It is formulated to readily permeate the concrete surface and create translucent color variations similar to reactive acid stain. It is a penetrating, non-film forming stain for existing concrete surfaces. It is resistant to fading from sunlight. It can be used on interior concrete floors and exterior concrete hardscapes. It may also be applied to concrete blocks, pavers, and cementitious overlays (see the color chart for Butterfield Transparent Stains)