Replies

1. 
   DaveRicheson | Oct 22, 2004 04:16pm | #1

   Did you use Cure-N-Seal after the pour.

   If you did, both high quality paint and stain require that the floor be acid washed before either product is applied.

   I have only stained one floor, and it turned out nic, but required several application to get the depth of color the HO wanted. Even then there was lighter and darker  shadings in the color. The HO and I both liked that non uniformity. In all, it was worth the extra labor.

   Painting is easier over all, but cost wise was about a wash. I say that because the two package epoxy paints I have used have a short "pot life", and there is more waste in a two coat application. Of course, color is more uniform, but IMO not as interesting as the subtle shading of the stain.

    

   Dave

1. 
   BillHartmann | Oct 22, 2004 07:43pm | #2

   There are two basic different kind of stains.

   1 is a "thinned" paint.

   The other is acid stain which is a chemical reaction with the concrete. You can not use an acid wash with that.

1. 
   DaveRicheson | Oct 23, 2004 02:29am | #5

   The stuff I used was a pigmented stain that required acid washing and neutralizing to open the 35 year old slab up. We only did one room in a basement, and I was pleased with the final look. Kind of a moltted blue/green.

   We had started off looking at stenciling, but my supplier sold us on the stain. I saw cut diagonals about 1/4" deep on 2' centers, and grouted them with PL1 urethane caulk.

   I have also painted two basement floors. One had been sealed when poured, and the other just had 20+ years of grime on it. The first was acid washed to etch the surface for a two package epoxy. Believe it was a Porter Paint product. It had a pot life of 24 hrs. But the first coat was still uncurred  when we returned the next day. HO bought another gallon/pint package and we recoated on the third day.

   The unsealed floor was cleaned with TSP only, and then coated with a acrylic modified two part epoxy, a Sherwin Willams product. Same pot life to cure problem occurred, and we had to use a second patch of paint.

   You can't screw up the ratios on either of these paints if you follow the instruction. I think the slow cure time on both products was the results of the slab temperature being below 60 F.

   Both did cure hard after 48 hrs., but I advised the HOs to not slide anything around on them for several more days, just to be carefull.

    

   Dave

    

   Dave

1. 
   barmil | Oct 23, 2004 03:19am | #6

   Regarding basement walls, floors, also garage floors, recognize that anything you do should be in the context of your long range plans for the area. I've more than once (slow learner) painted when I'd later wished I hadn't, because of the problems with unpainting masonry. There's also the adhesion issue. I'm an advocate of staining versus painting, if I want color on concrete.

2. 
   JohnT8 | Oct 22, 2004 08:44pm | #3

   Ran into this site a few months back.  These folks have radiant floor and used acid stain.  I've attached one of their pics. 

   The page is located at:

   http://www.ourcoolhouse.com/images/construction/acidetch.htm

   They also have a forum on their site.  The ho is very friendly and will reply back to forum posts fairly quickly.

   jt8
3. 
   pizza | Oct 23, 2004 12:03am | #4

   Krylon just came out with a basement floor paint system. I believe there's no mixing required and it's epoxy based too I think. Check it out. I'm considering using it on my basement floor. They also have a product for garage floors.