| Form release agent or tilt-up
bondbreaker residue is a concern, which is why Nox-Crete
Products Group recommends pre-treating the wall with
a solution of TSP in water followed by pressure washing.
Schmid recommends sandblasting tilt-up walls beforehand
to remove excess form-release agent and better protect
the surface against runs.
When it comes to application, contractors lean toward
spraying, although some may use a sponge or foam brush
to achieve a special effect. Kemiko recommends an all-plastic
handheld garden sprayer. "Our Product is a very
mild hydrochloric acid lt's going to react with anything
that's metal," Sargent says.
The creative muse might influence the choice between
metal and plastic spray equipment, Thome says. "We
read that only plastic should be used in sprayers, brooms
and other equipment when applying acid-based stains.
That is true if you do not want to incorporate metal
impurities into your project. But there are contractors
that intentionally use a copper wand on a sprayer to
obtain a certain look.
"Is this a good application practice? Not really,"
he adds. "It can be dangerous, and when working
with acid-based stains, you need to be aware of safety."
Fix the Drips
Manufacturers are also eager
to address the run factor. 'It is best to practice
your application techniques in advance of performing
any work for a paying customer, says Michael Linn, president
of Nox-Crete Products Group. "Removing run marks
is not easily accomplished.
 The
best way to fix drips when they do occur is to catch
them with a brush or something absorbent, such as a
C-sponge.
A scrub afterwards reduces some lace tension, making
a stain more uniform, particularly on a tighter vertical
stab, Thorne says. Diluting an acid-based stain with
water will reduce reactivity, which may also minimize
streaking, he says.
To further minimize the run problem, many contractors
start at the bottom. "Dilute the acid-based stain,
pre-wet the wall, start the application from the bottom
and work your way up," Theme says. With water home
reactive stain, if you obtain rundown, you are applying
the material too heavy."
Nox-Crete recommends applying acid stall] with a hand
pump sprayer. Working from the bottom up with a 3 inch
to 5-inch rundown, immediately (followed by) scrubbing
with a brush. "Several light applications generally
provide a more uniform appearance with minimal run marks,"
Linn says. "Scrubbing the acid stain immediately
after application removes acid reaction products from
the surface of the concrete, allowing uniform and deeper
penetration of the acid stain."
<<<BACK
TO PRESS | PAGE NUMBER:
1 | 2 |
3 | 4 | 5
| 6 | NEXT
PAGE >>> |
