Concrete Staining & Concrete Overlay Technique Videos

We recommend the following courses and videos for concrete acid stain training and advanced decorative training techniques to create beautiful and artistic, concrete acid stain floors!

There are many videos out there that can give you a good head start on concrete staining techniques. Just click on the links below and start the learning process:

DIY Concrete Staining- Application Process

Below is an excellent video of the staining process using a broom to "brush" in the stain. Please notice that they are very careful to go back and spray again in the area that has just been brushed. Hats off to the folks at Concrete Ideas- Great Video!

Magic Trowel for Applying Thin Texture Overlay

This video will show you the different types of trowel that you can use to apply the Thin Texture Overlay. It gives a brief overview of each trowel technique including the Magic Trowel. Remember the Magic Trowel can also be put on the end of a pole to do your application standing up.

This is a great way to give yourself a "new canvas" to work with and cover up the old or damaged concrete. When you use Thin Texture for this process you will get more vibrant colors and you acid stain will go farther. You can actually dilute your stains more with an overlay, usually 2 or 3 to 1. This will give you around 600 sq. ft. per gallon and still keep your cost below $0.80 sq. ft.

Overhead Projector for Advanced Designs

 Learn how-to use an overhead projector to trace intricate designs and high-end graphics onto your concrete surface. This works well when you are looking to combine a variety of decorative concrete methods, such as scoring concrete, polishing concrete, and coloring concrete, to create an intricate pattern. Use a forklift or ladder to raise the projector to the desired height so that the pattern on the floor is the appropriate size. Trace the pattern onto the floor using chalk. Then you can begin saw cutting and coloring following the outline of the pattern chalked onto the floor.

Pump Up Sprayers

Pump sprayers are used to apply stains & sealers to decorative concrete surfaces. Tips & techniques on selecting the right sprayer for each type of job. Plus safety considerations are also covered.

Snapping Chalk Lines

When chalking out a decorative concrete job in preparation for saw cutting or coloring concrete, you need to be aware of the color and type of chalk you use. This is important because many of the red or blue chalks typically used contain a large amount of iron oxide that will stain the surface of the concrete and show through on the beautiful, decorative floor. It is best to use an orange chalk that is heavy in talc. This is often referred to as talcum powder and wipes cleanly away without staining.

Knee Pad and Respirators

It is important to follow the proper safety guidelines on the job. Be sure you always have the proper knee protection and respirators. Using knee pads will extend your concreting career as well as help prevent the need for knee surgery later in life. There are a number of knee pads and respirators to choose from. Perhaps the most important factor in selecting a respirator is making sure it is OSHA approved. Secondly, be sure that the respirator is the right one for the job you're doing. For example, if you are working on a job with only airborne dust particulate (fractured concrete in the air), you will need a different respirator than if you are applying a concrete dye that has chemical vapors. The cartridge on the respirator should indicate its proper use. If the cartridge says "chemical cartridge," it can be used when spraying products like acetones, xeylene, or acids.  

Concrete Acid Stain Training and Decorative Training Techniques may seem like a complicated process and you may think that you can't stain your floors on your own, but nothing could be further from the truth. We have been in this business since the late 1990's and the following courses and books have been the cornerstone of our training for all our associates.

Just taking the time to invest in training can make the difference between a good acid stain concrete floor and an absolutely stunning creation which will be the envy of all your friends and family.

You have already made the decision to stain your own floors, possibly to save a few bucks, so why not spend a few dollars more and learn how to do it right and learn some advanced decorative training techniques.

You may be a contractor and are looking to expand your decorative concrete business and possibly move into the interior flooring arena in order to keep busy during the winter months. Why not learn from the best and invest in yourself and your business.

The price of these acid stain training courses and books are a drop in the bucket compared to trying to fix a botched job if you really don't know what you're doing.
These courses and books are very well written and are for the DIYerand the contractor alike. If you are a DIYer don't be surprised if you have alot of your friends and family asking you to stain their floors.

If you are contractor this might be the first step into the very lucrative arena of concrete acid stain interior flooring which is seeing an incredible rise in popularity throughout the country.

Bob Harris' Guide to Stained Concrete Interior Floors

Just a few of the very important topics that are covered are: 

This includes but is not limited to;

Stains on the concrete and their removal

Curing Agents-testing to see if this is on your floor

Paint and sheetrock removal

Patching of Holes

And many other topics

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