Acid etching on concrete is the best way to bring life to your old concrete floors. They can be treated with acid to create a unique finish, treat its damages, and even helps in giving it a smooth and wonderful finish after painting. In a nutshell, acid etching in concrete is essential to nurture it better and make it look more presentable. But although this method is quite old and well known, you may have some doubts in your mind that need to be cleared – that way you could try this method next time for your floors without any dilemma.
Acid etching on concrete done by GrindWorks makes it simpler for you to treat the concrete with paint on it and evens the ground. But there’s always more to it and that’s why even the doubts are many. Read about those questions and their answers below to make an informed choice:
FAQs about acid etching in concrete!
- What’s involved in the acid etching procedure? — Acid etching involves washing the concrete floor with hydrochloric acid and water. This later gets you an even, shinier and cleaned surface which is free of any dirt, dust and external solid particles on it.
- What makes acid etching an extremely necessary procedure? — Acid etching helps in opening the deepest pores in the concrete. This cleans and makes the concrete ready for any kind of further treatment. Also, this procedure of acid etching brings out the non-slippery property of the surface and thus makes it ideal for backyards, areas around swimming pools, driveways, etc.
- Can painted concrete be acid etched? – No! To properly etch the concrete, it’s essential for the solution to reach the deepest part of it. But the paint layer on the concrete prevents this from happening — thus it isn’t possible to successfully etch painted concrete.
- Is the procedure of acid etching on concrete dangerous? — Acid etching can be a totally risky procedure and that’s why it’s recommended to contact an expert for this task. Since acid is a dangerous but important substance for this procedure, the proper method is important to get the ideal surface. Ergo, this shouldn’t be done without a professional hand. It could be a really dangerous experience for an amateur.
- Is acid etching procedure an eco friendly process? — The acid etching process is highly eco-friendly and doesn’t adversely affect the environment in any way. The usage of water is relatively low in this process. Also, since there are no harmful excretions possible and no drying process required, you can be assured of not harming the environment at all.
- Is acid etching with salt water dangerous? — Salt water can be extremely dangerous when used on concrete for etching. This procedure can lead to electrolysis of salt which emits chlorine and hydrogen that’s extremely flammable and produces toxic gases during this process. Ensure avoiding salted water at all costs when etching your concrete floors.
Now that you have read about the most frequently asked questions for acid etching in concrete, we assume that you’d embrace this procedure more wisely. This would help you stay safe during the process and get the best finish on your concrete as well.