Acid Stained and Sealed Concrete
(Primary product used is CHEMSTONE™)

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Acid staining concrete chemically & permanently alters the color of concrete while naturally providing mottling and color variance to provide beautiful aged-look finishes.   Unlike overlays, which completely covers existing concrete, acid staining is translucent - it will provide rich color, but not cover any existing stains, pitting, or scarred areas of the cement.  This process is the least expensive of decorative options, but requires a more pristine surface if a more pristine finish is desired.   Yes, ugly stained and pitted garage floors can be brought to life with acid stain.  The process will blend in oil stains and discoloration and provide a great looking finish that will hide dirt, prevent salt damage, and be easy to clean and easy to look at.  But a beautiful garage floor isn't a beautiful interior floor or retail space - those spaces require a clean smooth slab if acid stained concrete is the finish of choice.  The concrete preparation process required for your floor - either chemical stripping of glue's or mastic, or mechanical grinding or shot blasting will many times determine whether an acid stain or a thin stained overlay is the best finish to achieve elegant interior flooring suitable for the finest environments.    Typically, if a surface can be cleaned without abrading the surface, or chemically stripped, it can be acid stained.  If grinding, scarification, or shot blasting is required, a overlay is the best bet so the grind/blast marks are hidden.