Acid stain or dye?

[softailgarage]

Thinking about acid staining the back patio, but I'm hearing something about a dye instead. Supposedly its easier to do and less costly. I live in the Arizona desert with temps reaching 120+ degrees in the summer down to 30 degrees winter and winds from 6mph to 30+mph year round, everyday, so I need to do something that will stand the extreme weather and sand blasting. Any thoughts or experience? BTW, the patio is covered.

 

[Shea]

The article below should help you out. The information is the same for a patio. Acid stains do require more work, however, both types are considered permanent. What will determine longevity is your protective clear coat. It needs to be U.V. stable as well since it is outdoors.

A DIY Guide to Acid Stained and Color Dyed Garage Floors | All Garage Floors

How to stain a garage floor. Learn about acid stains vs water-based concrete stains, how to apply them, and what clear sealers are best for acid stains & dyes.

allgaragefloors.com

 

[softailgarage]

Good info there. I take it "All Garage Floors" does not sell these products, your just a help guide for DIY? (I ask cause I couldn't find the products on the site)
I'm going to go with dye, but have a question or 3. I take it the dye is a solid color, if I want any kind of swirls or shade variance, I'll need pigment that would be mixed into the epoxy coat, correct?
Another question: The patio itself was put in around 1987, has always been covered, but has the usual wear & tear stains. Will those stains be covered or highlighted? Also, I do wood and epoxy projects, there are some small epoxy stains (level with the concrete, but stained). How will that affect the dye/epoxy coat?

 

[Shea]

Good info there. I take it "All Garage Floors" does not sell these products, your just a help guide for DIY? (I ask cause I couldn't find the products on the site)
I'm going to go with dye, but have a question or 3. I take it the dye is a solid color, if I want any kind of swirls or shade variance, I'll need pigment that would be mixed into the epoxy coat, correct?
Another question: The patio itself was put in around 1987, has always been covered, but has the usual wear & tear stains. Will those stains be covered or highlighted? Also, I do wood and epoxy projects, there are some small epoxy stains (level with the concrete, but stained). How will that affect the dye/epoxy coat?

That's correct, we do not sell products. A true dye is not going to be a solid color. It's going to look somewhat similar to an acid stain. A great example is the article we wrote about DeltaDye by Legacy Industrial that I have posted below. It's going to show all the irregularities and swirl marks as an acid stain would. Stains and dyes will be blocked by any contaminants such as paint, coatings, oil, etc., and will not color the concrete. They all need to be removed first. True stains and dyes take on the character of the concrete.

You don't want to use epoxy as the protective clear coat for an outdoor patio, even if it's covered. Epoxy is not U.V. stable and will amber (yellow tint) from U.V. exposure. An MMA acrylic is a good option since it is U.V. stable and will not require additional concrete prep. Plus, it's very durable for patio traffic.

Why this Water-based Concrete Stain is Better than Acid | All Garage Floors

We review the new DeltaDye water-based concrete stain. Learn why it is an impressive acid stain substitute for your garage floor, patio, or walkways.

allgaragefloors.com

 

[benwah]

Dye all day

 

[softailgarage]

Looking at the Legacy website, I'm going to go with the Delta Dye Stain Kit, Cola w/ gloss HD6600-MMA for 450sq. ft. I do have a question about the kit regarding the sprayer. It looks like its part of the kit, but then lists it as an option, but doesn't have a box to check. Probably should ask Legacy, huh?

 

[afsar]

Dye.

 

[softailgarage]

I think I'm confusing myself. What I want is Dye, the term "Delta Dye" is the culprit. Is Delta Dye a dye or stain? both words are used in the description

 

[Shea]

I think I'm confusing myself. What I want is Dye, the term "Delta Dye" is the culprit. Is Delta Dye a dye or stain? both words are used in the description

Both methods "stain" the concrete. Dyes deposit colorant into the concrete pores using water or solvents as carrier agents. Acid stains react with the minerals in concrete to deposit metallic salts (colorant). I would recommend giving Legacy a call if you have any questions about their kits.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Either choice if you coat for protection with Ballistix, it will protect it 100% from the UV unlike urethanes and polyspartics which while htey do offer UV protection are not UV impervious like the Ballistix Squire or NCO is.

 

[Two Pump Chump]

What is the recommended sealer for a residential interior living area application ? So....... foot traffic daily, not much else after things get settled in. - thanks.

Edit: new concrete slab, near perfect condition, radiant heat limited to < 120 F.

Edit: Over Delta Dye

 

[Sumboodie]

I did acid stain on mine. Took easily 5+ coats to get somewhat decent color. Alot of it wore off after a few years of shoveling and snowblowing.

A regular house stain would have worked better.

 

[Two Pump Chump]

I did acid stain on mine. Took easily 5+ coats to get somewhat decent color. Alot of it wore off after a few years of shoveling and snowblowing.

A regular house stain would have worked better.

Sum, are alluding to a product like Delta Dye ?

 

[Sumboodie]

Sum, are alluding to a product like Delta Dye ?

Was a product Lowes had make specific for concrete.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

DeltaDye is a concrete stain. Produces a translucent finish similar to acid-stain without the acid.
Can be used indoors or out.

Interior Sealers: HD6500-EXT, SEC II Sealer or can use SD-Clearview for ultimate gloss and depth.
Exterior: HD6600-MMA or HD6500-EXT

Good luck and DD is available on Amazon & Walmart too.

 

[TnClimber]

Thinking about acid staining the back patio, but I'm hearing something about a dye instead. Supposedly its easier to do and less costly. I live in the Arizona desert with temps reaching 120+ degrees in the summer down to 30 degrees winter and winds from 6mph to 30+mph year round, everyday, so I need to do something that will stand the extreme weather and sand blasting. Any thoughts or experience? BTW, the patio is covered.

What did you decide. I’m going to do our outside patio.