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2500 PSI - 1" Minus Rock
3.5" to 4" Thick
Etched finish concrete is set up and poured similar to broomed
or salted finishes. It too uses the integral coloring system if a
color is desired. The concrete is poured, troweled smooth and is
left to cure over night. The following day we return to the job
and use one of two ways to etch concrete (Buff wash or
Sandblasting.) Buff wash is the preferred way to etch
concrete. An acid base solution along with water is applied to the
top of the day old concrete. The acid solution is scrubbed into
the concrete with brushes to expose some of the aggregate
fragments in the concrete and then rinsed off with water.
The other way to etch concrete is by sandblasting the
concrete. It is preferred to return to the job the following day
to sandblast the concrete while it is still somewhat soft (same as
acid wash).
It is possible to have the concrete sit for more than
one day; however, the longer one waits to etch concrete, the more
it will have time to cure and the more difficult it will be to etch. There is
very
little difference in look from the buff wash and the
sandblasting processes.
When etching concrete the top layer is essentially removed to
reveal the fragments of aggregate and the color can become lighter
than it would have been if the concrete was not etched. It is
recommended that etched concrete be sealed. The type of sealer has
a great effect on the intensity of color you see. A high gloss
"wet look" sealer will bring out the color to its
brightest/deepest color. A penetrating sealer is the most mundane
of our sealers and the color appears as if there were no seal even
applied; thus, the concrete will appear lighter in color.
(See
following pictures)
We recommend that the concrete sit for a few days before any
foot traffic be applied. We suggest that no vehicles or heavy
items be placed on the concrete for at least 28 days, after which
the concrete will be fully cured. If 28 days is not feasible to
stay off the concrete, the psi (the density
of concrete) can be
increased so that the concrete will cure faster and will be able
to withstand
the weight of a heavy item such as a vehicle in less
time.
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