Repairing Guides

how to repair stained concrete floors

by Dr. Brad Rath Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How To Fix Concrete Stain Problems

  1. Clean the Concrete Surface First, clean the floor with a light Concrete Cleaner & Degreaser solution. ...
  2. Seal the Concrete Surface Apply one coat of Acrylic Concrete Sealer prior to spraying the dye colors. ...
  3. Mix the Concrete Dye Mix the concrete dye powder. Safety while applying colorant is important. Remember to use goggles and gloves while working with the concrete dye.
  4. Apply the Concrete Dye How the concrete dye is applied will largely determine the final result. ...
  5. Wipe Off Residue Allow the product to dry thoroughly. ...
  6. Seal The Dyed Concrete

Part of a video titled Using Tinted Concrete Sealer to Repair Stained Floors
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And in solvent based sealers and it is tinted sealer are they put pigments in there. So you canMoreAnd in solvent based sealers and it is tinted sealer are they put pigments in there. So you can actually roll that across this floor change the floor color and it's somewhat translucent.

Full Answer

How to refinish a stained concrete floor?

How to Refinish a Concrete Stained Floor 1 Refinishing Concrete Floors. Typically, concrete floors that have been painted will need to be refinished more quickly than those that have been stained. 2 Concrete Stain Colors. Once you've stained concrete, it's tough to change the color since the stain is absorbed into the concrete. 3 Floor Sealant. ...

Is it better to stain or paint concrete floors?

Stained floors are exceptionally scratch resistant, and when protected with a good sealer or floor wax, they are virtually scratchproof. When compared to painted surfaces, which can peel or chip, stain is definitely the more resilient choice. How pet friendly are stained concrete floors?

How do you fix scratches on concrete floors?

If the scratch goes past your sealer to the concrete surface, you have more work to do. Depending on how bad the scratch is, you might need to grind down the floor in the affected areas, clean away the residue, cover the damage with cement, stain, and apply a layer of sealer on it.

What does it mean when a concrete floor is stained?

Meaning that whatever has already been applied to your concrete floors has fundamentally changed the material and will affect coloration going forward. This is a generalization, of course—but when floors are “stained,” or more accurately, treated with a penetrating sealant, the color has been absorbed to an unknown depth.

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Can you touch up stained concrete floors?

Use Concrete Dye to touch up problem spots, deepen colors, or accent an entire floor. You can use concrete dye to fix concrete stain problems by: Adding secondary accents over previously acid stained concrete.

Can stained concrete be resurfaced?

To change the color, we're covering the two most common solutions here: You can re-stain the floors (by applying a new penetrating sealant) or paint them (by applying an industrial coating).

How do you Restain concrete that has already been stained?

Step 1: Cut the Kerfs if You Need Stain Patterns. ... Step 2: Deep Cleaning and Prepping the Concrete. ... Step 2: Choosing the Right Hue of the Concrete Stain. ... Step 3: Apply the Renewing Stain on Dry Concrete. ... Step 4: Apply Two Layers of Concrete Sealer.

How do you redo stained concrete floors?

Re-stain Your Concrete After grinding down your concrete, you can now clean it and restain the floor. Ensure the floor is clean and dry. Take your new (and quality) acid stain and apply it to the surfaces. This should penetrate the surfaces properly and come up with a desirable hue.

How do you make concrete look new again?

3 Ways to Make Old Concrete Look New AgainPower Wash. Over time, your concrete will accumulate grime and dirt. ... Resurface. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to improve your curb appeal, resurfacing your concrete steps and driveway is a great way to start. ... Add Stain or Sealing Coats. ... Revive Your Old Concrete.

How long does concrete stain last?

Depending on the concrete sealer used, it's usually recommended to seal the concrete every couple of years to keep the color from fading. If you choose a high-quality concrete stain and sealer, you may be able to shorten the period between resealing to every 3-5 years.

What can you put over stained concrete?

To prolong stain life, stain manufacturers recommend keeping stained surfaces protected with multiple coats of clear sealer (outdoors) and a floor wax (indoors). A good sealer will provide other benefits as well, such as adding sheen to the surface and enhancing color intensity.

Can stained concrete color be changed?

In short, yes. Nonreactive stained concrete is going to be easier to fiddle with. You'll be able to tell the color of the finished product, though it's always a good idea to run a few tests. However, a reactive stain can give you a classy, marbled finish.

Will Concrete Sealer cover stains?

While protecting the floor from damage and making cleaning and maintenance of the floors substantially easier and less expensive. Sealing concrete removes the porous quality of the concrete and coats it, protecting it from spill stains and damage caused by erosion, weathering, heavy traffic and use..

Can concrete stain be removed?

Most stains on concrete floors can be removed quickly and easily, but a lot depends on how old the stain is and how porous the concrete surface is. Rust, oil, grease, paint or glue stains each have a recommended stain removal technique.

How do you reseal an interior stained concrete floor?

The secret to resealing is agitation. Pick an area of a manageable size and apply a coat of new sealer. Immediately agitate the surface with a chemical-resistant broom before moving on to another area. This agitation will not only reactivate the old sealer but will cohesively mix the two sealers.

Can you epoxy over stained concrete?

Epoxy garage paint can be used over concrete stain, provided the proper preparation work is done. As with many painting projects, successfully epoxying a garage floor is mostly about preparing the surface to receive the epoxy.

Can you skim coat over concrete?

Skim coating over concrete is not only possible, but it is much cheaper than replacing your concrete surfaces. By opting for a skim coat, you will strengthen your existing concrete surfaces and enhance their durability, thus giving you more time to come up with a big enough budget for replacement.

What is the best product to resurface concrete?

Our Top PicksBest For Interiors. Quikrete Fast-Setting Self-Leveling Floor Resurfacer. ... Best for Exteriors. Rapid Set High Strength, 15 Min Set, Featheredge. ... Best For Cracks. KILZ Over Armor Textured Wood/Concrete Coating. ... Best For Flooring. Ardex Feather Finish Grey Self-Drying Cement. ... Best For Small Jobs. ... Best Premixed.

Can you tile over stained concrete floor?

Tiling can be done over stained concrete with proper preparation. Concrete, such as a patio or a basement, can be stained to finish the floor. Once the concrete is stained, it should not be tiled because the thinset will not adhere properly.

Can you skim coat a concrete driveway?

If your driveway has excessive chips that detract from the overall beauty of your front yard, skim coating it will significantly improve the appearance. Pouring a thin, new layer of concrete over the old surface will smooth out any chips or pits and give you the opportunity to add color.

How to get a stain out of a sanded sand?

Use a power washer and some soap, to wash the stained area thoroughly. Try to get the stained surface as clean as you possibly can, in order to uncover the stain completely.

Is stained concrete flooring good?

Stained concrete flooring is not an attractive look. Concrete flooring is used by a lot of homeowners, because of its durability and low maintenance. However, concrete flooring can collect stains from oil, to dirt and grease. These can ruin the look of concrete, and lessen its value. No matter what surrounds the concrete, if it’s stained very badly, everything else around it loses value too.

What is the best way to refinish concrete floors?

Floor Sealant. Whether your refinishing concrete floors with stain or painting concrete floors inside a house, you'll want to add a sealant to increase the durability and longevity of your floors. Sealant adds shine and prevents the stain you so painstakingly applied from being damaged by any additional stain or dulled by wear and tear.

Why is paint absorbed into concrete?

This is because the paint isn't as durable as a stain. Unlike stain, paint isn't absorbed into the concrete but instead sits like a thin layer on top of it. This means it's likely to chip and crack, requiring either a relaxed approach to a chipped floor or the refinishing process. By contrast, a stain is absorbed into the porous surface ...

Can you refinish concrete floors yourself?

This is a job that's popular to outsource to contractors because it often involves a lot of chemicals, but refinishing concrete floors is a project you can do yourself with the right tools and equipment. Advertisement.

How to get acid out of a room?

If you're working with an acid-based stain, you'll need to open as many windows as possible and wear protective eyewear and gloves to avoid inhaling harsh chemicals.

Is concrete stain absorbed?

By contrast, a stain is absorbed into the porous surface of a concrete floor. Whether it's water or acid-based, concrete stain colors are absorbed into the concrete and therefore are durable, longer-lasting and less prone to chipping, scratches and signs of wear. However, especially in areas with heavy foot traffic like offices, ...

Can you change the color of a stain on concrete?

Concrete Stain Colors. Once you've stained concrete, it's tough to change the color since the stain is absorbed into the concrete. Trying to put a lighter stain over a dark stain, for example, won't yield the results you're looking for.

Do concrete floors show signs of wear?

Most concrete stained floors, however well-maintained, will begin to show signs of wear eventually. Image Credit: KatarzynaBialasiewicz/iStock/GettyImages. Most concrete stained floors, however well-maintained, will begin to show signs of wear eventually . Whether its an unevenness in the tone of the floor, dullness in color or a lack of shine, ...

How Much Does it Cost to Stain Your Concrete Floors?

The amount of money you’ll spend on staining your concrete will depend on several variable factors. If your floor is in bad condition, that means it will require long hours to prepare for staining, which results in higher costs. One concrete floor might require investing in grease removers, while another one needs industrial-grade machines to level it. Basic concrete staining will cost less compared to intricate design works. Some designs require several stain colors, stamping, and scoring, which will raise the installation costs. Also, the size of your floor surface will determine how much you’ll pay for the staining project.

What happens if your concrete floor is bad?

If your floor is in bad condition, that means it will require long hours to prepare for staining, which results in higher costs. One concrete floor might require investing in grease removers, while another one needs industrial-grade machines to level it.

How to prevent scratches on concrete?

What to do to Avoid Scuffing and Scratching Your Stained Concrete 1 The first thing to do is to identify what could possibly cause scratches on the floor then work towards eliminating it. 2 If it’s sliding chairs, then avoid dragging your seats on the floor and try to carry them instead. Add pads to the legs of your furniture so that your floor is protected when you accidentally drag them around. 3 For some people, it might be a rolling vacuum. If possible, find alternatives, correct your vacuuming methods, or get a less abrasive vacuum that won’t leave scratch marks behind. 4 Schedule weekly cleaning with the use of a microfiber dust mop, mild soap, and clean water to get rid of dirt and debris particles. 5 After mopping, thoroughly wipe away moisture and soap residue from the surfaces that might later dry and encourage scrubbing.

What to do if your floor isn't finished?

So if your floor isn’t finished, the scratches might be affecting the sealer. If this is the case, all you need to do is reapply a thin layer of sealer to restore it. An effective reapplication process will require cleaning the scratches with a solvent first. Some of the common solvents we use are xylol and xylene.

How to contact Southern Illinois epoxy?

Contact Southern Illinois Epoxy for a free quote and advice about possible design ideas. Plus, we are happy to answer all your questions and concerns about stained concrete. Call +1-618-565-0110.

How to get rid of dust in a house?

Schedule weekly cleaning with the use of a microfiber dust mop, mild soap, and clean water to get rid of dirt and debris particles.

How to protect your floor from sliding chairs?

If it’s sliding chairs, then avoid dragging your seats on the floor and try to carry them instead. Add pads to the legs of your furniture so that your floor is protected when you accidentally drag them around.

What is finish on concrete?

The finish is the last coat on concrete that helps protect the floor. It often gets damages that result from daily activities. This could be an outcome of anything including your feet movement, vacuuming, sweeping, machine vibrations, and vehicle movements. Sometimes the scratches can be seen from a specific angle and other times they are just obvious ugly marks on the floor. To get rid of these scratches, you need to reapply a wax over the previous one. You don’t apply the wax in the affected areas alone; do it over the entire floor to get a level finish and even glow.

How to remove scratches from wax finish?

When scratches happen on such floors they start with the sealer. If the scratch marks on your floor appear on the sealer, you need to reapply another sealer in the affected area. You first need to clean the scratches using a solvent like xylene and xylol. Scratch the sides of the scratch and remove the dirt and debris you get . Then apply a sealer filling the scratches and leveling the affected area with the rest of the floor.

Can you fix scratches on concrete?

Scratch marks on concrete surfaces require skills and equipment to renew your floor. Though challenging, fixing scratches on concrete is a straightforward process. Here’s what goes into fixing dents on concrete floors.

Can you stain and seal concrete?

Concrete floors that are stained and sealed don’t just look beautiful but are also very durable. But this does not mean they are invincible. If you don’t take good care of them, they can develop scratch marks, become dull, and wear out over time. This happens much faster if the seal isn’t applied properly. This is why many times consumers will opt for a polished concrete floor instead of a stain and seal because it is virtually impregnable. If you have a floor that has a simple stain and seal, be aware of the issues that can arise over time with scraping and scuffing if you are heavily utilizing the floor.

Can you call Paradigm Concrete Finishes to fix a stain?

Whether you want to address the scratch marks on your residential or commercial property or completely fix a bad concrete stain job, Paradigm Concrete Finishes is only a phone call away to meet your needs. In this article we go over some how to fix scratches on stained concrete floors, and figure out how serious the issue is. Otherwise, you can call us and we’re happy to help you with it.

Can you buff concrete floors?

If the floor has a true polished concrete finish, many times buffing the floor will take out any imperfections in your concrete floor. If the scratch is deep, you might have to resand a coat the concrete again.

Can you remove sealant from a truck?

If that didn’t do the truck, your scratches are probably pretty deep. You can remove the sealant in the affected area. The goal is to remove the sealer and open up the concrete surface so the area can be resealed. If it’s a small floor and you’re looking for a DIY solution you can use sandpaper, but we always recommend against this because it can turn out worse than when you started.

How can I re-stain my concrete floors?

To start, you’ll need to have the existing surface mechanically ground down, both to prime the concrete to accept a new stain and to remove as much of the offending color as possible. “You can’t control how much stain permeated the concrete in the original process,” Zamora says.It could be superficial and come off fairly quickly, or it could have permeated as deeply as half an inch down, which means it’s not going anywhere. You’ll need to mechanically grind your floors to determine your next step.

How easy is it to change the color of stained concrete floors?

“Before it has anything on it, it wants to soak up everything.” Meaning that whatever has already been applied to your concrete floors has fundamentally changed the material and will affect coloration going forward. This is a generalization, of course—but when floors are “stained,” or more accurately, treated with a penetrating sealant, the color has been absorbed to an unknown depth.

What does it mean to mechanically grind the concrete?

You need to use something harder than concrete in order to grind it down, explains Zamora, which usually means a substrate like metal, ceramic, or resin that’s been impregnated with diamonds. “Diamonds are so strong that they can actually cut up the surface of the concrete.”

How much would it cost to have my floors redone professionally?

Zamora laid out a few rules to keep in mind when considering the pricing of concrete floor refinishing.

How much would it cost to have a penetrating sealant re-applied?

It depends on the look you’re after, but a basic, high-quality finish on a 1,000-square-foot space would cost between $6,500 and $12,000 in the San Francisco Bay Area, Zamora estimates. “Los Angeles would be a little bit cheaper,” he says, as would most other locales in the US. (You’ll need to solicit quotes in your own area, but if you don’t live in San Francisco, at least now you’ll avoid sticker shock.)

How much does it cost to refinish a garage floor?

Zamora estimates that a refinishing business in the Bay Area might charge as little as $1,800 to cover a 400-square-foot garage with an industrial coating (the kind meant for garages, with small flakes inside for traction—not something you’d want in your living room).

What to do with a stain on a floor?

Other options include staining and then polishing your floors (which achieves a different effect than just re-staining) or covering them entirely with a new material, like a microtopping or concrete overlay.

How long does it take to stain concrete?

The staining process takes about 2 days and should only be done on fully cured concrete (at least 3 to 4 weeks old). Staining is done in 4 basic steps: Clean and prepare the concrete. Apply the stain. Clean and neutralize the stain. Seal the surface to protect it long term.

What can concrete flooring artists do?

Concrete flooring artists can produce amazing special effects by simply using a combination of stains and dyes, along with creative application techniques.

How is stain different from concrete paint?

How is stain different than concrete paint? Stains actually penetrate the surface of the concrete whereas paints are only topical. Stains will be much more durable because of this, and won't chip or peel.

Why use one stain color?

Use just one stain color to produce a look that’s simple and elegant. Because stains react with the concrete, even the use of one stain color will result in unique, variegated color tones.

How to make faux finishes?

Create distinctive faux finishes by applying stain using sponges, rags, brushes, or even pieces of crumpled paper.

What is acid based stain?

Acid-based stain: Acid stains penetrate and react chemically with the concrete, creating natural color variations that add character and unique mottling effects, similar to the appearance of marble or granite. Acid stains are also good for use on floors designed to resemble wood.

What can you do with staining?

Combine staining with decorative engraving or sawcut patterns to achieve looks ranging from tile to wood planking to more elaborate designs.

Stained Concrete Floors Explained

Here are some of the things you need to know about stained concrete floors.

The Advantages of Stained Concrete Flooring

Many people prefer stained concrete flooring due to the following reasons:

How to Clean Stained Concrete Floors: A 4-Step Guide

Concrete is thick and durable because it is porous, meaning it soaks up spills and dirt very quickly. Below are step-by-step instructions on how to clean indoor stained concrete floors.

Mistakes to Avoid Chen Cleaning Stained Concrete Floors

The things listed below should be avoided when trying to clean stained concrete floors.

Frequently Asked Questions on Concrete Floor Care

You can use a concrete polishing machine with an abrasive pad to restore the shine. It is recommended that you apply water first before using this tool on stained concrete floors as it prevents dust from flying about and damaging other parts of your home or workspace.

Easy Concrete Floor Care

If you have new stained concrete floors, then you know keeping them clean and well-maintained can be daunting for beginners. The good news is that if you know how to clean stained concrete floors, they will remain shiny and in excellent condition for longer!

Additional Resources

Elsie is a full-time housewife and domestic goddess that loves to try out all the latest cleaning hacks. If you need help getting your laundry done in less than an hour or want tips on how to get the stains out of anything, Elsie has just what you need!

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Floor Stain Types and Options

  • There are several types of stains that come in a variety of colors, tints, and shades. This is why concrete is a versatile material because it can be stained and polished in various ways. With its many options for textures and finishes, you can create distinct decorative looks and unleash you…
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Acid-Based Stains

  • Known as the oldest style of concrete stain, an acid-based stain is mostly seen in decorative concrete floors. The mixture of water, muriatic acid, and metallic salts react chemically to the concrete’s composition. It modifies the color of the concrete and creates a brown marbled appearance. This colored surface is usually resistant to UV light, which makes acid stain ideal fo…
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Water-Based Stains

  • This type of stain fills the pores of the concrete’s surface without any chemical reaction. Available in a wide spectrum of colors, the fine pigments are applied to the surface. Unlike acid stains, water-based concrete stains produce a more consistent and uniform appearance. This is perfect for adding logos and other intricate designs on concrete flooring. After the staining process, the …
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Concrete Dyes

  • Usually made of water or solvent-based formulations, concrete dyes are much smaller in particle size. This allows easier penetration, color saturation, and uniform appearance compared to other stain types. Moreover, the ultra-fine pigments are not chemically reactive to the concrete surface. Concrete dyes are commonly applied in tinting polished concrete surfaces indoors.
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Reach Out to The Concrete Professionals

  • Different kinds of concrete work, repair, and maintenance should be left to the experts. A concrete professional like Midstate Concrete will save you time and money. We will assist you in achieving your concrete project goals!
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Tools Needed For The Job

Step 1 – Washing The Stained Area

Step 2 – Removing Debris

Step 3 – Applying The Cleanser

Step 4 – Mopping The Cleanser

  • Use old or disposable towels to mop the cleanser up. The acid in the cleanser should be able to lift up the stains from the concrete flooring. Use this method to mop the concrete floor surface, until it is just about to be completely dry. If the stain does not appear to be coming up quickly, the acid may need more time to soak into it.
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Step 5 – Applying The Concrete Flooring Protectant

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