Can You Stain An Existing Concrete Floor

Staining concrete can bring new life to a basement floor or outdoor concrete.

Can you stain an existing concrete floor.

For water based stains spray the area in circular motions to avoid pooling on concrete flooring. Staining is by far the most popular method for enhancing both commercial and residential concrete floors. The only true type of concrete staining is acid staining which seeps into the concrete s pores to actually become a part of the concrete surface. Below we will walk you through how to stain old concrete and the differences from how to stain new concrete.

You can achieve nearly any color with water based stains. Stained concrete floor benefits. Yes you can acid stain old concrete. Surface preparation is an important part of how to stain concrete.

It is still possible to find a coloring matching solution that does not clash with the previous concrete color. Water based stains are generally easier to apply and cleanup is minimal. You can restain concrete if it s already been stained but it won t be as rich of a color as it may not take in all areas of the concrete. You ll still be able to see the old appearance through the stain.

When the concrete floor is very old porous or rough acid stain may not be the ideal solution. They will not mask cracks blemishes discoloration or other flaws. The process for acid staining old concrete is not all that different from staining new concrete with a few exceptions. Concrete stains can mimic any type of stone or tile floor without the high cost making staining an economical choice.

You can apply the stain over worn concrete but don t expect a miracle. Unlike acid based stain they don t interact with the concrete that you re staining so the color will stay consistent. Remove any existing concrete sealer before applying a new stain color. Do not be discouraged if you fell acid stain is not going to work on your current discolored floor.

And avoid staining spalling concrete. Keep in mind that application of the stain can be hazardous to your health. An existing concrete slab with major cracks or spalling is usually not a good candidate for staining because any patchwork is likely to show right through the stain.