Asked on May 13, 2012
New concrete floors - stained but turned out really badly. Looks more like brown paint and it shows every footprint.
by Deb L
+15
The brown should have specs and swirls of a lighter tan and that just didn't happen. Can anything be done? Can I put another stain color on top. It looks just like they rolled on brown paint. I'm so disappointed and haven't a clue what can be done. :(
18 answers
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Was this done by a "staining" company?....if so call them back and tell them to make it right.
![KMS Woodworks]()
KMS Woodworks
on May 14, 2012
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If you had a pro do this for you, I would have them back to see what they can do for you.
![HouseFixer.info]()
HouseFixer.info
on May 14, 2012
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paint on a concrete floor needs to be sealed after it is laid down. concrete is porous and must be sealed with or without paint. most likely this is either in a finished basement or garage and there are elements to contend with.
![Brian F]()
Brian F
on May 14, 2012
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Sounds as though the contractor did not have the experience needed to properly do this job. Try to get them to come back and re-do the project. Also it does not sound as stain at all was used. Most cement finishes are really epoxy and are applied like paint. If the final finish is really glossy, you may need to grind the surface down to prep it for a new finish coat. These units can be rented, but are heavy and often difficult to use.
![Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com]()
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on May 14, 2012
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new or old floors? on homes we build the concrete is cleaned and polished first to help the aggregate show through in the staining process. careful all stains are NOT alike!
![Glenn C]()
Glenn C
on May 14, 2012
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Did they etch the concrete first??
![Roxy D]()
Roxy D
on May 14, 2012
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i am thinking of doing this i have a need to know the process exactly
![Sue C]()
Sue C
on May 14, 2012
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Sue, painting or staining cement is not all that hard to do. But the process on doing this is dependent upon what your looking to do as well as finish and location. Driveways are done one way, garage floors another, basement floors still another. I would suggest that you start a new question asking about how to stain or paint the cement in your life. And provide information on where your using it and what it is, What your looking for as final outcome, such as colors, looks etc. The only one thing that all cement stain and or paint systems have in common is the cement must be dry and very clean for what ever it is that your going to use. There are a lot of great folks here that do cement staining and painting so post your question and sit back for lots of great answers!
![Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com]()
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on May 14, 2012
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You have to make sure that proper preparation is done to the concrete floor before the staining process is completed...if you hired a contractor get him back to fix it, or if now you don't trust him, hire someone who knows what they're doing and have the other contractor pay to repair the floors. Concrete can be tricky depending on how old it is, and the condition of the concrete. There's acid etched staining and other methods. Worse case scenario....tile over it with a full bodied porcelain tile and call it a day!
![Liz R]()
Liz R
on May 14, 2012
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Yes, concrete has to be cleaned or 'etched' before applying any kind of stain, paint or sealant.
![Roxy D]()
Roxy D
on May 15, 2012
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WHOA !!!!!!!!!! Before we all get our panties in a wad, let's hear back from Deb who posted the issue. FYI, when acid-staining, NEVER acid-etch the surface 1st as that will use up some of the free-lime in the concrete's cement ingredient necessary for the acid-stain mineral salts to ' work '. I realize this isn't what most of you heard from the apron/vest/sher-wms sellers but they don't do this work for a living - they SELL stuff, remember ? despite what anyone sez, there still no ' paint ' that withstands any traffic - pedestrian OR cars. nor is there any substitute for using pro materials/methods to achieve pro results.Realizing all the posters only want to help Deb but posting incorrect info isn't beneficial imho.
![Its Really Concrete, Inc.]()
Its Really Concrete, Inc.
on May 17, 2012
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Its Really...thanks for the "course correction"...bad info is far worse than No info.
![KMS Woodworks]()
KMS Woodworks
on May 17, 2012
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Ok, maybe etched is the wrong word. I had my son do our conrete garage floor. He had to use a conrete cleaner first, then stained it. It turned out great, but, the heat of the tires left tire marks. Otherwise, its easy to clean too.
![Roxy D]()
Roxy D
on May 18, 2012
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tire marks point out a sealer issue, not a problem w/underlying stain treatments.
![Its Really Concrete, Inc.]()
Its Really Concrete, Inc.
on May 19, 2012
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Wow, thanks for all the feedback. In answer to some of your questions. It was new concrete, but aged a year, cleaned really well 4 times, etched and then the stain, Brand= Quikrete purchased at Lowes. No, they were professionals well versed in doing this, (my fault, for sure) but, they have been building houses for years and the father had done it to his own home. He got hurt and wasn't able to work on the floor, but his son gladly finished it. A really nice bunch of people, this family. That's why I'm not going to even complain to them. They did an exceptional job on the rest of the house. I'm just trying to figure out a way to remedy what's been done. Now that I've been working more, myself, in the house, I am inclined to believe it was just put on too thick, so it's more like paint. My options seem to be either remove the stain and re-do, put something else over it i.e. hardwood, or come up with a solution to make this look better. I was hoping for perhaps a way to paint over it and make a marble effect since that could possibly be my out and a way to live with this floor. Right now, it shows every footprint, so I'll have to use many throw rugs (carpet is out of the question for me) Thanks, everyone, for all the comments. Have a happy and safe Memorial Day!
![Deb L]()
Deb L
on May 28, 2012
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wish I'd proofread that ,lol. I meant, No, they were not professionals at doing concrete floors, so it was my fault for trying to save money. At this point money was getting thin and I was trying to make every dollar count.
![Deb L]()
Deb L
on May 28, 2012
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one more thing. I called Quickrete and had several conversations with them. They say, it was put on too thick.
![Deb L]()
Deb L
on May 28, 2012
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NEVER etch conc ( even once ) prior to acid-stains as etching reduces the cement's ' free lime ' necessary for the acid stain's mineral salts to color,,, tri-sodium phosphate is the preferred method of cleaning prior to stain applied w/lo-speed buffer, brush, & black pad. IF the stain was applied too heavily, it would ' pool ' & leave a gumme residue however a pro could easily remedy this by properly neutralizing any remaining acid residue & cleaning the surface,,, it could then be restained ( if possible ) OR concrete dyes could breathe new life into the surface. to my knowledge, few pro's use any mtls from your source. i suggest your best bet is to retain a pro for his opinion & suggestions even if he wouldn't accept the work. removing the stain isn't possible however i'd guess that's not the primary sticking point - has it been sealed & w/what ? your budget limitations suggest fixing what's there would be best.
![Its Really Concrete, Inc.]()
Its Really Concrete, Inc.
on May 29, 2012
KMS Woodworks
on May 14, 2012
HouseFixer.info
on May 14, 2012
Brian F
on May 14, 2012
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on May 14, 2012
Glenn C
on May 14, 2012
Sue C
on May 14, 2012
Liz R
on May 14, 2012
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