What Are the Best Methods for Cleaning Concrete Before Staining?

Stain manufacturers always stress the importance of applying stain to a clean surface to ensure proper penetration. Even a light film of dust or grease can impede the stain reaction. "If you are negligent in the cleaning process, it can literally change the entire end effect," says Barbara Sargent of Kemiko Concrete Products, which posts on its website (www.kemiko.com) a list of cleaning products that professionals and do-it-yourselfers have used successfully.

Scrubbing the concrete surface with a general-purpose cleaner or degreaser is often sufficient for removing light to moderate soiling. For stubborn contaminants, such as carpet glue, tile mastics, heavy rust or oil stains, and curing membranes, you'll need to resort to more aggressive measures. For advice, read The Concrete Network article Cleaning Floors Before Concrete Staining: Tips from the Pros.

Although it may seem counterintuitive, one cleaning method you should never use if you plan on applying an acid-based stain is an acid wash, such as hydrochloric or muriatic acid. This method lightly etches the concrete and is sometimes used to open up the surface for better bonding of paints or coatings. It's not a good solution for acid stains, however, because it will wreck havoc with the chemical reaction of the stain. A better approach is to lightly sand or diamond grind the surface.

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