Directions on Etching a Concrete Floor
- 1). Empty the concrete area you want to etch. Vacuum the entire area using the wet/dry vacuum.
- 2). Clean the floor with the heavy-duty degreaser and a mop. Allow the floor to dry. Fill the bucket with water and pour it onto the concrete to wet the surface. Look for any areas where the water beads. Clean those areas with the heavy-duty degreaser a second time.
- 3). Measure 1 gallon of hot water in the 1-gallon measuring jug, then pour it into the large bucket. Pour 1 pound of the sulfamic acid into the bucket and mix the acid with the water using a mixing stick. Mix 1 gallon of hot water with 1 pound of sulfamic acid per 300 square feet of concrete that you are etching. Pour the acid into the acid-tolerant wand sprayer.
- 4). Apply the acid to the concrete with the wand sprayer. Scrub the surface with the stiff bristle broom to work the acid into the concrete.
- 5). Fill the mop bucket with hot water. Soak up the acid with the mop, then rinse it out in the hot water. Continue to clean up the acid with the mop and hot water. Apply a thin layer of baking soda over the surface to neutralize the acid further. Spray the area clean with water from a hose if possible, otherwise vacuum up the remaining residue and water with the wet/dry vacuum.
