Etching concrete floor in a metal building

[Andrew Davis]

I am trying to etch a 600 square foot concrete floor in my metal building prior to applying a polyurea coating. I tried using Ghost Shield Eco Etch 1001 which did nothing. I am considering a phosphoric acid product but worry about the effect it might have on the metal walls. Has anyone had any issues with phosphoric acid etching> I know muriatic etching is out.

 

[jmdirk]

How do you know the Ghost Shield product did nothing?

I'm not an expert, but I'm don't chemical etching creates a very visible difference.

 

[Andrew Davis]

Neither am I, but I was told that the best way to test the results is to lightly spray a small amount of water on the floor, and if the surface is etched sufficiently, the concrete will absorb the water. If not, the water will sit on top until it evaporates. I tested the area that I etched and the area that I did not and saw the exact same results.

 

[Hank11]

You might look into citric acid. It would be simple to go to the grocery and find it with the canning supplies, go home and try a spot. If it works order a supply.

 

[Shea]

Citric acid falls in the eco-etch category. Was a cure and seal product applied directly after the concrete was placed?