Steps for preparing old concrete for staining
Have you decided to rip up that old carpet? Are you tired of the way your old garage floor is looking? Want to create an eye-catching area of your home? One of the main questions we get from our customers interested in stained concrete is, “What steps do I need to take in preparing my old concrete for staining?” In this post, we will look at various things to consider and do in preparing old concrete for staining.
Glue
First, we need to ensure that your old concrete is free from glue, paint, oil, grease, sealers, waxes, or anything else that could keep the stain from soaking into the pores of the concrete? We use a straightforward method to determine whether the concrete is sealed. Pour water into a small area. If the water soaks in, then we can begin preparing the concrete for staining. If the water does not soak in, indicating the concrete is sealed, do not worry; not all hope is lost.
Old Sealant
Remove the old sealant before moving forward. To remove the concrete sealer in an indoor area, pour a concrete sealer remover onto the concrete and let it sit for 30 seconds or so, then scrub with a stiff straw brush. Then use a painter’s shield to scrape the sealer into a pile and remove it with a square point shovel. Then pour a little more concrete sealer remover on and repeat. If the area is outside, powerwash the old sealer off the old concrete.
Wax
If you need to remove wax from the concrete, we recommend the following steps. Apply a floor wax remover to the area and let it sit for a while (refer to product directions). After the wax remover has sat for a time, take a soft bristle brush and scrub the applied area. Remove the floor wax by continually mopping the area. If the floor has been sealed and has wax on it, the floor wax remover will remove both the sealant and wax.
Paints or Glues
If the old concrete floor has paints, glues, or sticky material, you can use a paint stripper, mastic remover, or another powerful glue remover, followed by light sanding. In some instances, a sander may need to be needed to remove the substances.
Grease/Oils
In places such as garage floors, it is typical to find grease or oils on the floor. In most cases, it is challenging to know all the types of oils or grease on the floor. Applying a concrete stain prep because it is also a degreaser to the old concrete will help to remove any foreign unknown petroleum products.
Taking these steps to prepare the floor will ensure that you have the best results with your stained concrete. Contact KSG Concrete for a quote on your stained concrete project!