Mason's Select Concrete Stain products?
Hi all...
I'm looking into reflooring alternatives in my Terra Linda Eichler, and we're going hard surfaces since our radiant heating is still in great shape. One alternative I'm considering is getting down to the bare slab, and cleaning, staining, and sealing using the Mason's Select products from Duckback.
http://www.superdeck.com/masonsselect/concretecare.htm
From the product literature I've been reading, it appears you can achieve a look and finish comparable to that of a new layer of tinted concrete floated on top of the old slab. Of course, the old slab might have problems of unsightly cracks that a new concrete float wouldn't.
Has anyone tried, evaluated, or used these Mason's Select stains on concrete, and what comments do you have? What about the cleaning and sealing products in this line, that complement the stains? Any experience with wearability or fading of the coloring?
Thanks...Bryan
I would be interested in knowing if you went ahead with your plans to use the bare concrete? We have been thinking about this option, also so would like to hear from someone who has gone through the experience.
Bernie
have you already seen your concrete? I was wondering because ours had too many stains from the tile glue to use. However, in retrospect, if our floor had been nice enough to use I know it would have looked better than our poured floor. The slab was much smoother (no waves, bumps) before we poured the new layer of concrete.
We are also running into problems with our rug pads sticking to the floor. It is possible that the sealer we used might be reacting with the rug pads since both seem to contain xylene. But it could also be because the poured concrete might not have cured enough before the selaer was put on (which you won't have a problem with if you use your existing floor).
Re: using the concrete under our feet....we don't seem to have "body ache" issues, though I know others have. We go around barefoot all the time. We have placed numerous rugs around the house. The radiant heat feels great coming through the floor.
We just stained our garage floor with Mason's Select. I like it for the garage, but am not completely sure I'd go with it for the main house only because the concrete is pretty rough and porous. The stain doesn't fill in the rough look of the slab, just colors it. So it really depends on the condition of your slab.
As for the the Master's Select itself, it's great! We etched and cleaned with their products, then stained with terra cotta and slate blue, then covered it with sealant which gives it a nice sheen but isn't glossy. Two coats covered well, and we were able to have some creative fun with the paintings - it goes on like paint, but doesn't add any of its own texture. It was easy to work with, though time-consuming in drying time, and only a little smelly. Not nearly so bad as paint, though. The color choices are minimal, but enough to make some nice patterns if you want.
It might be possible to add a few more coats and get a thicker covering to smooth out the original conrete. If your slab is in nice shape, this is a definite possibility.
Kaaren
We are in an all-concrete Eichler condo and have ground most of our floors and they seem like they are in satisfactory condition for painting/staining. Would like to discuss further with you your application of Mason's Select and your results. May we contact you by phone?
