INFUSION REACTIVE STAIN systems guide Helping you protect, restore and beautify your concrete
Create UNique DESIGNS NEVER TO BE DUPLICATED
H&C *VOC INFORMATION H&C INFUSION Reactive Concrete Stain, Water Based Sealer and Industrial Floor Finish are VOC compliant based on each product s category classification. This complete system meets all Federal VOC Regulations. TOOLS AND MATERIALS NEEDED Pump Sprayer (All plastic parts with conical tip.) Brown Masking Paper Tape Mops Bucket Neutralizer (Ammonia or Baking Soda) Infusion Systems Guide Coating Specifications Substrate / Area Vehicle Finish VOC* Coating Interior Recommendations - Normal Exposure Concrete - Horizontal Concrete Acid None 0 H&C INFUSION Reactive Concrete Stain Acrylic - Gloss >700 g/l H&C INFUSION Solvent Based Sealer Solvent Based Acrylic - Water Gloss >350 g/l H&C INFUSION Water Based Sealer Based Acrylic Gloss 0 H&C INFUSION Industrial Floor Finish Exterior Recommendations - Normal Exposure Concrete - Horizontal Concrete Acid None 0 H&C INFUSION Reactive Concrete Stain Acrylic - Gloss >700 g/l H&C INFUSION Solvent Based Sealer Solvent Based Acrylic - Water Gloss >350 g/l H&C INFUSION Water Based Sealer Based Acid Brush Extension Pole Rags Industrial Rubber Gloves Protective Eyewear/Safety Mask Spike Shoes Availability may vary depending on state regulations. Changes concrete floor from boring to beautiful!
WHY CONSIDER ACID STAINING CONCRETE? Provides a translucent and variegated finish to concrete. Can be used on new or existing concrete. Interior and exterior applications. Multiple colored effects can be created. When used in combination with decorative saw-cut joints, acid staining creates a distinctive look. Gives architects and designers a wider choice of finishes to incorporate into project design. Can be used in combination with other finish systems such as wood flooring, tile, stone and carpet. Lower cost than other floor installations. Relatively low maintenance on interior installations. SURFACE PREPARATION IMPORTANT: Do not acid wash/etch prior to acid staining The following guides will help ensure maximum performance of the coating system and aid in maximum coating performance: 1. Cure Concrete must be cured prior to coating application. Cured is defined as concrete poured and aged at a material temperature of at least 75 F for at least 30 days. The ph of the surface should be between 6 and 10 units. 2. Moisture Concrete must be free of moisture as much as possible (Moisture seldom drops below 15% in concrete). Test for moisture or dampness by taping the edges of an 18 inch by 18 inch area with a plastic sheet (4 mils thick) on the bare surface, sealing all edges. After a minimum of 16 hours, inspect for moisture, discoloration, or condensation on the concrete or the underside of the plastic. If moisture is present, the source must be located and the cause corrected prior to staining. 3. Temperature Air, surface and material temperature must be at least 50 F during the application and until the installation is complete. 4. Contamination Remove all grease, dirt, loose paint, oil, tar, glaze, laitance, efflorescence and loose mortar from the cement by the recommendation listed below*. 5. Surface Condition All visible imperfections should be ground or stoned to create a uniform porous surface. Filling may be required with a material compatible with H&C Coatings. Surface should not appear or feel like polished concrete to allow for proper reaction and penetration. 6. Concrete Treatment Hardeners, sealers, form release agents, curing compounds, and other concrete treatments must be removed prior to installation of H&C INFUSION Concrete Stain. *Power Tool or Hand Tool Cleaning 1. Use needle guns or a power grinder equipped with a suitable grinding stone of appropriate size and hardness, which will remove concrete, loose mortar, fins, projections, and surface contaminants. Hand tools may also be used. 2. Vacuum or blow down to remove dust and loose particles from surface. APPLICATION *Prior to Application Always do a test area, including sealer. Ensure limited exposure of other trades during staining process. 1. Use plastic pump sprayer. (All parts must be plastic; no metal.) 2. Apply in a circular motion or non-uniform line to flood-coat the entire surface. Overlapping stains will have a darker color. Multiple people applying stain should have similar application styles. 3. Allow reaction for 4-6 hours. 4. Apply second coat if desired. 5. REMOVE ALL RESIDUE: using ammonia or baking soda, mop, scrub and rinse (neutralize the floor). Let dry for 24 hours. SEAL FLOOR 1. Show the customer the floor prior to sealing, reminding him/her that the sealer will darken the surface. 2. Apply Infusion Solvent-Based Sealer or Water-Based Sealer with an airless sprayer, short nap roller or brush. Note: Solvent-Based Sealer will roll on and dry clear while Water-Based sealer will roll on milky white and dry clear. * DO NOT OVER WORK SEALERS as to not trap air. 3. Apply the second coat when the first is dry to the touch. 4. Allow sealer to cure 24-36 hours minimum. 5. Infusion Industrial Floor Finish is for interior use only. This will apply milky white and dry clear. Use a lambs wool applicator or a finish mop. 6. Allow to cure and dry, then buff with a white pad.
APPLICATION GUIDE Step 1: Always do a small test area prior to installation. Practice application of stain in most desirable patterns including sealer. Discuss customer expectations extensively. Step 2: Surface Prep (See previous page for important details.) Step 3: Apply INFUSION Reactive Concrete Stain. Step 3 continued: After a minimum of 4 hours, neutralize and remove residue. Step 4: Apply a seal coat for protection.
H&C GUIDELINES FOR FLOOR CARE Care and Maintenance for Floors The following information is a basic guideline for floor care. Following these instructions will provide a longer lasting floor. Note: You should always do a test area in a small inconspicuous place before starting your project to ensure compatibility of all products. Completely review all instructions, warnings and limited liability on all product labels and technical sheets before using H&C products. Daily Maintenance A good quality, neutral based cleaner is designed for daily floor care. Ammonia based cleaners are not considered neutral floor cleaners and should not be used for maintenance. For daily maintenance of lightly soiled floors, use a solution of 4 to 8 ounces of cleaner per gallon of water. For medium soiled areas, use a solution of 8 to 12 ounces of cleaner per gallon of water. Up to 16 ounces of cleaner may be used for heavily soiled areas. Apply with a damp mop. For cleaning small areas, you may also use the above mixtures in a trigger sprayer and wipe with a damp cloth or sponge. To Renew Gloss Finish and Remove Black Marks A diluted neutral cleaner used in a trigger sprayer with a damp cloth or sponge can be used to remove black heel marks and scuffs. In high traffic areas, when applicable, simply clean floor with a neutral floor cleaner making sure all residues are removed. Rinse with clean water, dry the area and apply a light coat of H&C Floor Finish with a mop. Always use a clean mop head when applying a floor finish. Yearly stripping of H&C Floor Finish should be done using an ammoniated cleaner. After the old finish is removed apply 2-3 coats of H&C Floor Finish. Scratches and Gouge Repair For areas that show scratches or gouging, apply a thin coat of H&C INFUSION Acid Stain. The acid stain can be applied using a plastic spray bottle or by brushing onto the surfaces. Remember, if brushing is method desired, use a plastic bucket. Allow the acid stain to react for a minimum of one hour for proper color infusion. Once reaction has taken place, rinse residue off the floor with a solution of baking soda and water per label instructions. This will neutralize the acid and remove any residue created during the reaction process. Allow the surface to dry for a minimum of 4 hours. Once the surface is dry, apply a minimum two coats of H&C INFUSION Floor Finish. Before cleaning, place wet floor signs around work area. Always place wet floor signs when working with any liquid on the floor. Do not remove the signs until the floor is dry and safe to walk on. READ LABELS FOR ALL CAUTIONS BEFORE USING H&C PRODUCTS. ALWAYS DO A TEST BEFORE STARTING PROJECT TO ASSURE COMPATIBILITY OF ALL PRODUCTS AND TO GET APPROVAL ON PRODUCTS. Should you have any questions regarding care or product information, or would like to order additional products, please call H&C Concrete Stains at (800) 867-8246 or see our website at www.hcconcrete.com.
H&C GUIDELINES FOR FLOOR CARE Q: What is an Acid Stain? A: Acid Stain is not a paint or a sealer. Acid Stain colors the concrete by creating a chemical reaction. A solution with acid, inorganic salts and water reacts with minerals that are already present in the concrete. This reaction creates color. Q: Can I use Acid Stain anywhere I want? A: Acid Stain is not for every concrete floor. The concrete MUST be bare. There can be no sealers, curing compounds, bond breakers, paints, etc. on the surface. The surface must be clean and free of grease or any other contamination that would prevent the reaction from occurring. Q: Is Acid Stain for interior use only? A: Acid Stain can be used on the interior or exterior. Some Acid Stain colors may be more sensitive to moisture and can not be used on the exterior. Verify the color being used is not moisture sensitive. (See color chart) Q: What is the most important step in my Acid Stain job? A: SURFACE PREP is the most important step. If the surface is not thoroughly clean and free of all sealers, curing compounds, bond breakers and paints, then the Acid Stain will not react and the job will not be a success. Q: Will a water based sealer and solvent based sealer give the same appearance? A: No. A solvent based sealer will create a darker appearance because it will penetrate deeper into the concrete than a water based sealer. Q: Do I always need to apply a floor finish after I apply a sealer? A: A floor finish is designed for interior use only and should not be used on exterior jobs. On interior jobs a floor finish will provide an ideal finish in high traffic areas such as schools, office buildings, shopping malls, hospitals, hotels and restaurants. Q: Will the same color look the same on different jobs? A: Even when the same color is used on different jobs, a different appearance may be the result. The color will be different for many reasons such as the different pours of the concrete, the texture, the cure time and the overall condition of the floor. Q: Can I intermix colors to create my own color? A: Yes! Intermixing colors is common in the Acid Stain industry, this allows you to expand the color possibilities. Just a note; always keep track of the recipe you have created so if need be it can be recreated. Q: How long should I allow the Acid Stain to sit on the surface before I remove the residue? A: The Acid Stain should sit on the surface for at least 4 hours. You can let it sit longer. The longer you let it sit, the darker the color will be. It is common for the stain to sit overnight before the residue is removed. Q: I have applied the Acid Stain, removed the residue and I want the color to be darker, what can I do? A: A second application of Acid Stain may be applied after the residue has been removed. This will provide a darker affect.
H&C INFUSION COLOR CHART HC 403 Crumpled Brick HC 407 Verdant Plain (Interior Only) Note: Additional colors can be achieved by mixing the colors on the right. These colors are a representation. Actual color will vary due to the concrete finishing method (how smooth or porous the surface is), producing a mottling or distressed appearance. Always do a test area first. Lido Blue, Potato Ivy and Verdant Plain are for interior use only. Read all instructions and technical sheets prior to using H&C INFUSION Reactive Concrete Stains and Sealers. These products are for professional use only. For more detailed application information or to reference spec/data sheets, go to www.hcconcrete.com. HC 402 Black Coffee HC 401 Rusted Fence HC 400 Wenge Wood HC 406 Potato Ivy (Interior Only) HC 405 Lido Blue (Interior Only) HC 404 Potter s Wheel HC 409 Mustard Seed HC 411 Shore Gray HC 410 Midas Gold HC 408 Sienna Red H&C CONCRETE COATINGS 101 Prospect Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44115 1-800-867-8246 www.hcconcrete.com 2010 H&C Concrete Products Group 720-0186-00C 2005831 01/10