FAQ: How To Etch Concrete For Painting?

Do I need to etch concrete before painting?

Etching is a crucial step in preparing concrete for painting. It gives the surface tooth to adhere to, so your paint is more likely to stick for a long time. Most concrete paints require etching and if they don’t, do it anyway. Don’t skip this step if you want a long-lasting painted concrete floor.

What is the best way to etch concrete?

Muriatic acid, also known as hydrochloric acid, is the typical acid of choice when etching concrete. It is inexpensive and a dangerous chemical that can damage almost anything it comes in contact with.

What kind of acid do you use to etch concrete?

What Is Etching Concrete. Acid etching is the process of applying hydrochloric/muriatic or buffered phosphoric acid to a slab, then rinsing it off with water.

Does vinegar etch concrete?

EtchingVinegar’s ability to dissolve CaCO3 will dull your marble, travertine, concrete and terrazzo surfaces. It may “clean” the surface but it is also dissolving pits into the finish and effectively dulling it. This will affect marble, travertine, concrete and concrete terrazzo surfaces.

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How soon can you paint after etching concrete?

Sealer or Paint Applications



Sealers range from 24 to 72 hours as a general rule, while epoxy paint applications to the etched areas of the concrete can take up to 10 days to dry in humid conditions.

How long does concrete need to dry after etching?

After all the water has been removed, the pad should have at least 48 hours of drying time before you apply any etching to the surface. If the weather is particularly humid, wait up to 72 hours for best results.

How do you etch smooth concrete?

A smooth concrete floor must be roughened before paint will stick to it. You roughen such a floor by etching it with muriatic acid. Muriatic acid acts like liquid sandpaper by roughening the surface of the concrete. It also reduces the surface alkalinity of the concrete that can cause some paints to adhere poorly.

Can I paint over old paint on concrete?

There’s no need to remove old paint off a cement floor before painting with epoxy paints. This makes painting the floor considerably less troublesome and safer than painting bare cement. Instead of using acid to etch the surface, you’ll only have to sand lightly.

What is the best concrete paint?

The 7 top concrete paints for any project

  • Best overall: Rust-Oleum Decorative Concrete Coating.
  • Best for your budget: Kilz Decorative Concrete Coating.
  • Most weather resistant: In The Swim Patio And Deck.
  • Best for your driveway: Rust-Oleum EpoxyShield Professional Floor Coating Kit.
  • Best for your porch: INSL-X Sure Step.
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How do you paint over peeling paint on concrete?

Remove all peeling paint and sand rough edges smooth. Sand to remove loose wood fibers if present. Make sure surface is clean, dull and dry. Prime with appropriate primer and recoat with a high quality paint.

How do you apply acid etch to concrete?

Acid is generally mixed at a ratio of 3 parts water to 1 part acid for sufficient strength to etch properly. Ideally you want to test the strength needed first before doing the entire floor. You can do this by first mixing a small solution in your watering can starting at a 5:1 ratio.

How do you etch concrete without acid?

If you want to avoid acid altogether, then another product that works well as an alternative to acid etching your garage floor is a product called Eco-Etch Pro. It is a plant based, biodegradable product that will not harm plant life, is non-corrosive, will not burn your skin, and neutralizes with water.

Does concrete etch remove paint?

If the stain is deeper than the surface of the concrete, acid etching will not remove it. It also does not remove previous coatings, oily deposits and other water-insoluble materials.

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