DIY Color Wash Cement
- 1). Sweep and vacuum around the edges of the floor.
- 2). Protect the walls. Apply one strip of tape around the base of the walls. Place another strip on top, leaving the top of the strip unattached. Place 18 inches of plastic sheeting under the top layer of tape. Attach the top of the plastic to the wall.
- 3). Repair the floor surface, if necessary. Hairline cracks will add to the appearance. Fill any larger crack or hole with cementitious concrete patch or repair material.
- 4). Clean the floor thoroughly. Remove any paint, glue or varnish with a commercial product designed for that purpose. Wet-vac the entire surface. If desired, use a floor buffer with sandpaper to remove any remaining debris and open the pores of the cement.
- 5). Wait for the floor to dry completely before applying stain.
- 6). Score the floor if you plan to do so. Chalk the design. Use a tile or worm saw to create a pattern in the floor.
- 7). Dilute the stain with water at a 1:1 ratio.
- 8). Test the stain color on a small portion of the floor. The stain will react differently to each surface. Test the product beforehand to ensure you have the color you want.
- 9). Fill a plastic, acid-resistant garden sprayer with the stain mixture.
- 10
Spray the surface with the stain. Scrub the stain in with a broom or paintbrush. Ideally, this step should be completed by two people working in tandem, one spraying, one sweeping. - 11
Apply a second coat to remove any marks from the broom. - 12
Allow the surface to dry according to the directions on the stain. - 13
Clean the floor with a mixture of 1/2 cup baking soda to 1 gallon of water to neutralize the stain. Scrub the baking soda mixture into the concrete. Do not step on the "unneutralized" portions of the floor. - 14
Remove the baking soda mixture with water when you are finished scrubbing. Don't leave the baking soda on the concrete. Remove the excess water with the wet-vac. - 15
Allow the floor to dry completely overnight. Use fans, if necessary, to ensure the floor is completely dry prior to application of the sealer. - 16
Place the sealer in a paint pan. Roll the sealer onto the floor. Allow the first coat to fully dry before you apply a second. - 17
Wait 48 hours for the floor to dry before walking or placing furniture on it.
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