Correct Way To Etch Concrete Floor

There are safer alternatives to acid etching today.

Correct way to etch concrete floor.

Concrete may look solid to the naked eye but it is a very porous substance. Before starting to etch. It also reduces the surface alkalinity of the concrete that can cause some paints to adhere poorly. For many years it was a standard method of concrete preparation used by nearly all industrial commercial and institutional floor coating installers depending on the floor size and.

Concrete paint can be purchased in either latex or oil based epoxy enamel. Etching is a crucial step in preparing concrete for painting. Let the floor dry overnight. Most concrete paints require etching and if they don t do it anyway.

The best way to etch a concrete garage floor. Instead of etching sandblasting or grinding is a great way to remove any contaminants on the surface of the concrete slab and to open its pores as well. Most concrete contractors are no longer recommending acid etching because of its effect on health and the environment. Many acid etching projects are carried out to prepare a concrete floor for the application of a synthetic epoxy or sealant.

Don t skip this step if you want a long lasting painted concrete floor. Doing the prep work before you repaint a concrete floor avoids a peeling paint job later. The concrete will now have a grainy texture which offers a better surface for the paint to grip. It gives the surface tooth to adhere to so your paint is more likely to stick for a long time.

Safety goggles are a mandatory part of safely etching concrete. Acid etching is the process of applying hydrochloric muriatic or buffered phosphoric acid to a slab then rinsing it off with water. A smooth concrete floor must be roughened before paint will stick to it. The good thing is that there are safer alternatives that are just as effective available in the market today.

What is etching concrete. These sorts of products give the concrete a professional looking sheen and also resist water grease oil and other common spills making the floor easy to maintain. Muriatic acid acts like liquid sandpaper by roughening the surface of the concrete. Some homeowners shy away from acid etching of their concrete floors for fear of the harmful effects of using and handling muriatic acid the main component of acid etch flooring.

You roughen such a floor by etching it with muriatic acid. If the etcher fizzes up as it s applied you know that it s working. Etching the floor to etch the floor of your garage apply a commercial concrete etcher being careful to follow the manufacturer s instructions.