@gene I have used muriatic acid thousands of times and you may even find close to 50 answers or comments on this site from me on using muriatic to etch. The acid is applied on the concrete and then rinsed off with water. Always add acid to the water, a 70% water 30% acid will do just about any floor. A solution of 40 parts water to 1 part muriatic acid, a . Step 1 Clean the concrete surface. Apply a 10 - 15% Muriatic Acid or 50% Phosphoric Acid solution at the rate of one gallon per 75 square feet. Mix and Apply the Solution. Uses of Muriatic acid 1. Never add the acid first; pouring water into acid could cause acid to splash out. Along with creating a rougher texture for the coating to bite onto, it also neutralizes the alkalinity of the concrete, which further increases the bond of the coating to the concrete. If you are uncertain, you can always mix up a small batch of five parts water to one part acid and pour about half a cup onto a spot of concrete, you should see an immediate reaction. http://www.soytuf.com Earth-Friendly concrete prep/etch. For more information, see the safety section below. Fans will help. Sometimes a ratio stronger than 3:1 may be needed for particularly dense concrete or a smooth power {troweled} floor. And after the safety tips, youll find a list of some common uses for this powerful cleaner. After completing the concrete etching process, allow the concrete to dry for two to three days before coating. Mixing it the other way around can cause a chemical reaction that could splash you with acid. The appearance of the concrete should now be similar to medium-grit sandpaper. You may have to repeat the rinsing process a few times. and I could not add, "The all of article is of value to me as I might have made some errors especially on the safety side of things. Absolutely, it is a great option for surface profiling concrete but there is a risk you could end up damaging the concretes surface if you are inexperienced and it is very labor-intensive. Contact municipal authorities to learn how to safely dispose of leftover muriatic acid. This acid is used a lot in food manufacturing and is found in citrus fruits, that being said it is a weak acid so has a longer reaction time than the likes of hydrochloric or muriatic acid so will take much longer to etch the concretes surface. It is best to leave the neutralizer to sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing. Dampen the concrete: Use your hose to lightly spray down the concrete in your garage so that the concrete is wet but not puddling water. It is because of this that one should always take safety precautions very seriously. The concrete should now have taken on the appearance of medium-grit sandpaper. The surface becomes "etched" and clean, which allows for the proper adhesion of a new coating. Efflorescence results in problems linked to the adhesion of a new coat but using muriatic acid to etch will remove the residue. If you'll be etching up to any adjacent walls or other surfaces, be sure to also wet the bottom inch or so to minimize the possibility of direct contact with the acid. The concrete should be uniformly wet. Keep the work area clear of all children and pets. Apply the acid solution: Use the 2 gallon plastic watering container to sprinkle the acid solution on the concrete. We have also provided tips and tricks towards the end of the article that will assist you in achieving effective results. It can drive any acid solution that had not been neutralized yet deeper into the concrete and cause problems later. However, they can be more expensive and some of them less effective. If muriatic splashes onto you it can burn the skin severely. Thin layers of laitance can be removed by acid etching. 2020. "Was looking for a quick review on acid/water ratios, but found the entire article to be very informative and. At this point, it is recommended that you put on rubber gloves, rubber boots, goggles, and a respirator. Dilute by adding 1 part of Muriatic acid to 10 parts of water or 1 cup of acid per liter. Further Tips for Acid Etching Concrete:Its a good idea to cover anything that you dont want to get splashed with a plastic drop cloth. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/Acid-Etch-Concrete-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Acid-Etch-Concrete-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/Acid-Etch-Concrete-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid3719357-v4-728px-Acid-Etch-Concrete-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"