ww_kayak
Member
Now for a little experiment: While I was looking for information on staining concrete I found that most of the brown stains contain some form of Iron Sulphate. It just so happened that I had a left over bucket of Copper Sulphate that was used for weed control in our pond. Hmmm, copper instead of Iron... blue instead of brown... I found a couple other forum references and figured "what the hell, I'll give it try". I can always cover it with epoxy if I don't like it. I'm sure some will love it, and some will hate it. I think it looks great. No real reason to do this, other than the fact that I had the Copper Sulphate, and I just like trying different stuff. Although, if it lasts, it only cost me 87 bucks 
I mixed about 5 gallons of water with 2 quarts of crystals and kept stirring it every few hours for a day or so. I used one of those 1.5 gallon hand pump sprayers to apply it. I did 3 applications, brushing off the excess powder between coats (wear a good respirator, it's not deadly, but it is an irritant). While I like the look I have, 1 or 2 coats would give a lighter blue/green.
Once it was stained, I put down a coat of "Kure-N-Seal W". Basically it allows you to seal your concrete as soon as the surface moisture is gone. They claim it slows the curing process ( read stronger crete) and protects the surface. It was perfect because there is no way I'm waiting 28 days to seal it. I need to start using the shop, and once I put my sh*t in the shop, I'm not taking it out 30 days later to seal it. I know, I know, it's not optimal concrete protection, but I figure the worst case scenario is... the garage sinks and I build a new one. It'll basically be a wood shop / metal shop, so I don't really need industrial protection.
The sealer goes on milky white and dries clear. It was a little scary at times wondering what the final outcome would be. It went from ugly white powder, to blue/black (with clouds?), to the final blue/green copper I was hoping for. So the slab was poured on Friday, and I was ready to move in on Tuesday, sorta
I didn't want to start a "new garage" thread because I tend take take YEARS, to complete stuff, but I thought this came out really cool. More pics HERE.
I mixed about 5 gallons of water with 2 quarts of crystals and kept stirring it every few hours for a day or so. I used one of those 1.5 gallon hand pump sprayers to apply it. I did 3 applications, brushing off the excess powder between coats (wear a good respirator, it's not deadly, but it is an irritant). While I like the look I have, 1 or 2 coats would give a lighter blue/green.
Once it was stained, I put down a coat of "Kure-N-Seal W". Basically it allows you to seal your concrete as soon as the surface moisture is gone. They claim it slows the curing process ( read stronger crete) and protects the surface. It was perfect because there is no way I'm waiting 28 days to seal it. I need to start using the shop, and once I put my sh*t in the shop, I'm not taking it out 30 days later to seal it
. I know, I know, it's not optimal concrete protection, but I figure the worst case scenario is... the garage sinks and I build a new one. It'll basically be a wood shop / metal shop, so I don't really need industrial protection.The sealer goes on milky white and dries clear. It was a little scary at times wondering what the final outcome would be. It went from ugly white powder, to blue/black (with clouds?), to the final blue/green copper I was hoping for. So the slab was poured on Friday, and I was ready to move in on Tuesday, sorta
I didn't want to start a "new garage" thread because I tend take take YEARS, to complete stuff, but I thought this came out really cool. More pics HERE.
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