DIY Network

Concrete Flooring: Applying Finish From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-103

The first Thin Finish coat will strengthen the floor, and when colored, acts as a primer coat for the second hand-trowelled coat of finish.

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	The space lacked character and nuance...
	with average, everyday tiling.
	So, Derek and Dean called on concrete experts Jason and Brandon...
	to help with installing concrete flooring...
	which added warmth and texture to this Maryland kitchen.

Materials:

Demo

Chipping hammer
Hammer
Chisel
Safety glasses
Screw gun
Roofing rake
Flat shovel
Shop vac.
Brooms
Dust pan
Plastic wrap or clear plastic
Tape

Preparation and Application

No. 30 asphalt felt
Metal lath
1.5 in. galvanized finish staples
1.5 in. finish stapler
Heavy duty 2h 4 gal. oil-lube compressor
Air hose for compressor
Utility knife w/blades
Safety glasses
12 in. all purpose pattern snips
Heavy duty work gloves
Hammer
Elite Crete Texture Pave
Elite Crete Portion Control Colorant (optional)
Several 5 gal. buckets
Heavy duty 1/2 in. drill w/ low speed and min. 500 rpm
4 in. paint and mud mixer
Squeegee
Gauge rake
1 1/2 in. putty knife
Several measuring containers of various sizes – 10 qt., 2.5 qt., and smaller
Mask

Finish

Elite Crete Thin finish
Elite Crete Portion Control Colorant (Color: desert beige)
Several clean 5 gal. buckets
Heavy duty 1/2 in. drill w/ low speed and min. 500 rpm
Squeegee
2 in. paint brushes
22 in. hand trowel
Several measuring containers of various sizes – 10 qt., 2.5 qt., and smaller
All-plastic 2 gal. pump sprayer

Acid Staining

Acid stain
High gloss clear sealer
Ammonia – 1 gal.
Clean mops and bucket
5 gal. bucket with spreader screen
Paint roller with extension handle
2 in. painter's tape
Roll of 12 in. masking paper
Commercial shop vac.
2 – 2 gal. all-plastic pump sprayers (such as a gardening pesticide sprayer or deck sprayer)
Safety glasses
Rubber gloves

Applying Thin Finish

1. Mix the Thin Finish with your paint mixer (figure A). This is a thinner mixture, approximately one-eighth of an inch thick. 6.5 quarts of water were added to each 55 pound bag of Thin Finish. Mix the product with your paint mixer and be sure to wear a mask. Integral color can be added to create a base coat of color for the acid stain. For this project, the customer wanted a tan color so color was added (figure B). The amount of color added to the mix depends on the desired color and product, so check with the manufacturer for more specific instructions. The color and water should be mixed first and then the Thin Finish added.

Figure A

Figure B

2. Before spreading the Thin Finish on the floor, dampen the floor with water using the two gallon pump sprayer (figure C). Wetting the floor will allow the Thin Finish to bond to the Texture Pave. Spray the floor sections at a time; the floor should always be damp before Thin Finish is applied. If you are applying with two people, have one person dampen the floor and one person apply the Thin Finish.

3. Pour small portions of the Thin Finish on the floor at a time. Spread it on the floor with the squeegee using a smooth back and forth movement (figure D). The Thin Finish should spread smoothly and evenly. Apply the Thin Finish with a paint brush in corners or areas where the squeegee can’t reach.

Figure C

Figure D

	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G

4. After the first coat of Thin Finish has dried (figure E), you are ready for your second and final coat of Thin Finish.

5. Add 5.5 quarts of water for each 55 pound bag of Thin Finish. Mix the concrete in clean five gallon buckets using the paint mixer. Adding color during this step will provide a base color for the next acid stain step. The amount of color depends on the depth wanted, so check with the manufacturer for directions specific to your application.

6. Pre-moisten the floor with water using your two gallon pump sprayer. Use hand trowels to spread the Thin Finish.

7. To make the application easier, apply pressure to the tip of your trowel and bend it up (figure F). This step will make it easier to apply the Thin Finish.

8. Pour out some of the Thin Finish and work it in sweeping motions to a depth of an eighth of an inch (figure G). The marks made with the trowel should go in every direction. When moving the trowel, hold it so that it floats on the surface of the Thin Finish; this will create texture on your floor. If the mixture is too wet, play around with it using your trowel on the floor until it's stiffer and easier to work with.

9. Allow this Thin Finish coat to dry overnight.

RESOURCES :

Concrete Floor Products
Elite Crete Texture Pave
Elite Crete Thin Finish
Elite Crete Portion Control Colorant (Color: desert beige)
Brand Name: Elite Crete
Website: www.elitecrete.com

Concrete Acid Stain Products
Kemiko Stone Tone Stain (Color: malay tan)
Kemiko Stone Tone Sealer
Brand Name: Kemiko
Website: www.kemiko.com

Tools
Home Depot
Website: www.homedepot.com

GUESTS :

Jason Thoelke, Owner
Brandon Hobbs, Supervisor
Creative Concrete Solutions, Inc.
1210 Hogan Ln.
Conway, AR 72034
Phone: 501-764-4477
Fax: 501-764-1534
E-mail: ccs.conway@aol.com