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Modern technology provides us with two common procedures for treating, coloring and sealing concrete floor, countertops, patios etc. They are Concrete Acid Staining and Concrete Polishing.
Why Acid Staining? Before this process was developed, concrete dyes were commonly used. Early concrete dyes consisted of generic printing inks that were dissolved in mild solutions of alcohol and applied to concrete surfaces to add color to grey concrete. There were problems with these earlier dyes. When alcohol-based dyes are exposed to sunlight, the color either lightens or fades completely.
Manufacturers moved beyond these alcohol based dyes because of the fading problems. They began dissolving these same printing inks in different carriers such as acetone, lacquer thinner and other solvents. UV inhibiting agents were added to new dyes to help with UV instability issues. While the results were improved color maintenance, there was still substantial fading when exposed to sunlight.
Acid staining was developed to address the fading concerns, but also the toxicity concerns. Acid staining does not entail dyeing or pigment coloring systems, but rather, it is a chemical reaction. the non-toxic chemicals used in concrete acid staining bond with the compounds in the concrete and change the chemical composition of the concrete surface, creating a permanent, non-fading, durable surface.
Concrete polishing allows the use of multiple grain level polishing heads to achieve a high shine, durable, non porous surface that is a chemical free sealer and shining process. We’ve come a long way in terms of concrete. This is important because concrete is an inexpensive, plentiful and environmentally safe construction material that because of its malleability, has endless application possibilities.
Colonial Floor Care has developed an expertise in these methods because of their many benefits to the consumer and the environment. Our processes make housecleaning easy!
Tags: concrete acid staining, concrete polishing, floor care, home, housecleaning