Acid Stained Floor Becomes "Talk of Town"Progressive Concrete Coatings Creates a Buzz with an Artistic Mottled Floor
Getting the Job Hine took the time to explain the difference in how he applied concrete stains, and how he could achieve a mottled look. "I was doing another job in the same strip mall as Lucy's boutique when I met her. She had seen other colors and concrete floors, including some she didn't like at all. I had a lot of convincing to do to get her to switch and go with me. But I explained my ideas to her and they coincided with her theme for her store. I was also able to offer her concrete countertops, which the competitor could not do." The extra time he spent with Cherry is just one of the many attributes about Progressive Concrete Coatings that numerous customers have come to appreciate. The Color Theme Only one color of stain, turquoise, was used to achieve all the variations. The Staining Process The 1,000 sq. ft. floor was then stained using a unique spraying technique which Hine describes as key to achieving "a look that is different." Before staining, he always masks the walls, doors, columns, etc. 2' up to keep the stain from coming in contact with anything other than the concrete. The stain is then applied with a sprayer. "To get the mottled look," Hine explains, "I spray a little heavier than normal, creating a wet layer of stain." He also says, "You can't be afraid to have it puddle where the concrete is not completely flat. The stain will naturally puddle giving the floor a richer color in certain areas." Because of this technique, Hine was able to use just the turquoise acid stain to create a variety of color tones on this project. The owner couldn't be happier with her floor. "It's like walking on water," she says. Hine's biggest challenge wasn't related to the process. It was convincing the owner that the technique would work and the color would complement the theme of her store. "I had to trust him and hope for the best," recalls Cherry. However, in the end, Hine and Cherry were very pleased with the "richness and depth of color." Hine says, "It went along well with the theme and interior design of the store, everything was very cohesive." After seeing the floor, Cherry said with relief, "The color just turned out perfect, it's like walking on water." After staining, the floor was sealed with a two-step process using a 100% solids self-leveling epoxy. First a primer coat was applied and then the floor was finished with the final coat of epoxy. Countertops
First, a slightly relieved edge was created. "We knocked off the edge of the corners with a diamond pad leaving them rough. We didn't want a machine-finished look," explains Hine. Second, the countertop was sealed in a way that wouldn't create the glossy look which results from using epoxies. Hine avoided the unwanted sheen by using a combination of sealer and wax. The countertop was first polished, then sealed, and finally waxed. He describes the final product as "not completely smooth so it looks very natural, and a bit more rustic." The countertop was made to look and feel like concrete, despite its vivid color. The countertops were made using white cement and the same stain that was used for the floor. "We use white cement instead of the usual grey because it gives the color more pop—the acid stain turns out brighter," explains Hine. About Progressive Not only was the floor enjoyable for Hine to create and pleasing to his client, but it is also a great testament to the capabilities and characteristics of his business. One thing that makes Progressive Concrete Coatings stand out is that they are incredibly detail oriented, especially when it comes to artistic design and finish. This is extremely evident in the effort and results seen in the stained floor and countertops they created for Lula Balou Boutique. Another great characteristic is that Progressive Concrete Coatings truly puts the customer first, spending as much time as needed with each client. "There is never too little time to listen to a customer's request or to help them find the right color," says Hine. Cherry greatly appreciated this 'customer first' attitude which Hine and his crew exhibited while they worked on her floor. Progressive Concrete Coatings is located in Wilmington, NC and offers a wide variety of decorative concrete applications for new and existing concrete. They specialize in custom acid staining projects. As their website claims, and as Cherry testifies, they are truly capable of creating a "custom look that will be the talk of the town." Progressive Concrete Coatings Lula Balou Boutique Submit Your Own Project Photos Return to Staining Concrete Projects Find a Concrete Contractor 24 Services in 221 Metros -- U.S. and Canada 
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