Acid Stain

• Acid stain is one of the easier methods of concrete etching for the homeowner to perform himself. Acid stain is a one-step process that etches the concrete as it stains. The concrete should not be etched prior to application as this will prevent proper bonding. However, acid stain must be applied to a clean surface. If the concrete has dirt, grease or any chemical residue the acid will not react to the surface.
  
  

Chemicals

• Chemical etching is commonly used when applying an acrylic-based stain rather than acid stain. Muriatic and phosphoric acids are commonly used for etching concrete. These acids leave a fairly low profile, typically producing a surface similar to a 200-grit sandpaper. However, the acids do not remove oil, grease or fat from the surface. Because the concrete surface needs to be adequately cleaned for proper staining, other methods will need to be applied if these surface conditions exist.
  
  

Shot Blasting

• Shot blasting is a one-step method for cleaning and preparing concrete for a coating. Steel shot is propelled by a blasting wheel onto the concrete surface. The steel shot and concrete are then collected by a dust collector. The procedure efficiently removes old coatings, dirt, grease and embedded chemical contaminants while preparing the concrete surface for staining at the same time. The shot-blasted surface is uniformly cleaned and prepared and readily accepts the coatings applied to it. This procedure should only be performed by a professional to ensure the proper layer of the surface is blasted away.
  
  

Water Jetting

• Water jetting is a relatively new method used for cleaning concrete. The process uses an engine driven pump to deliver 15,000 to 20,000 psi of water. The water is delivered to the concrete surface via handheld wands or mechanical units with two nozzles attached to a rotary bar. Although water jetting has the capability of creating a uniform profile, the high pressure of the water can be difficult to control and may seriously damage the surface if not performed by a trained professional. The water pressure is aggressive and was first used for concrete demolition.