A how-to guide for staining a concrete floor

Stained concrete floors are becoming more and more popular by the day. They can be fun to do, and are a great alternative to standard flooring. There are some interesting effects you can create, and we'll tell you everything you need to know so you can decide if you are ready for one of your own.

First of all, the cost is a fraction of that of most other floor "coverings," so if you are on a budget, this is the flooring for you.

The key to getting a great finish is in the prep work, just like so many other projects. Use trisodium phosphate and rust remover and anything else you need to get the existing concrete surface totally clean. Don't acid-wash it unless your stain tells you to do so. If it has been sealed, it won't work. The floor needs to be completely dry before you begin.

The chemicals you will be using are acids, so you really need to take precautions and wear gloves, safety goggles, a face mask and protective clothing.

The process is really varied and depends on the surface you are working on. To test your colors, find an out-of-the-way place, like a closet or under the fridge. Mask off the walls, doors and any other surfaces in the area.

The acid stain usually is mixed with water. Follow the manufacturer's directions. Most are sprayed on and then broomed in. You might need a helper for this, as you want to work fast and not be going over dried edges. Don't walk where you have worked in order to prevent footprints. You may wish to apply a second coat, or maybe even a different color. Wipe away any excess before proceeding to your second coat or your finish.

After the acid stain has dried, you usually will need to apply a neutralizer, which might be something as simple as baking soda and water. Repeat this process and let the floor dry completely.

Use the sealer that is recommended by your stain manufacturer. You may need to put down several coats, but you should get great results.

The results will floor you.

Profile sanding

Here's how to deal with profile sanding. The more intricate the piece, the harder it becomes. To get into small areas or short profiles, you might have to resort to using a very small sanding tool, which can take forever. But if you can replicate the profile and place your sandpaper over the profile, then you can get it done much quicker. Try holding a deck of cards next to the shaped profile, and press it into the shape. Hold it tightly and place your sandpaper between the deck of cards and the piece you are sanding. The cards will act as a pretty good backer for your sandpaper, and you can get the job done quickly and effectively. Take a gamble and try this idea.

Recycle and compost

These days, more and more people are composting. In fact, some communities are now requiring you to do so. It makes sense to set up a compost pile. You can spend a pile of money on one, or get creative and recycle more than just the compost. Ask local businesses if you can have a few of their wooden skids or pallets. Many will be happy to let you have them for free. Your compost bin will be easy to construct. Use a pallet for the bottom and three for the sides. Attach all of the pieces together with nails or screws, and you are ready to start composting. The slatted sides of the wooden skids are great because they allow for plenty of air flow, and you can access it from the front, where the side is missing, for turning and removing the compost. Paint it to look better if you want, and start filling it up with all of your compost items.

Super hints

• To make sure lights turn off when you leave a room, install motion sensors on them. When you walk in, the lights come on, and when you leave, they go out. Motion sensors are available for lamps and for switches right in your hardware store.

• If you need to filter a shop compound but don't want to reuse it, try placing a coffee filter inside a funnel as a sieve. It's simple to do, inexpensive and disposable.

• I'm not the neatest do-it-yourselfer, and I always get paint on my hands when I'm working. I have found that WD-40 is a really great solvent to remove paint, so I keep some in the utility room next to the sink so I can get the paint off quickly when I'm finished with a project. It's much easier to use than a large can of solvent. Plus, it comes in handy for all sorts of things inside the house. Everyone should keep a can handy.

Q. It seems like our attic stairs are letting a lot of air down from the attic. I want to add some weatherstripping or insulation. What would you suggest?

A. You can add weatherstripping to the door itself to help insulate it. You also can add insulation on top of the stairwell. There are specially designed covers that you can add within the attic to prevent air infiltration, too. Check online or at your local home center to see what it has.

Q. We have an asphalt driveway that's a few years old. It still looks fine but is starting to get a few small cracks in the surface. What are we supposed to do to keep it from deteriorating further?

A. The cracks can be repaired with a blacktop crack filler that is available in a caulking tube. Make sure you follow the directions carefully, and you should get good results.

Q. I want to install a prefab plastic pond in my backyard. I will need to run a water line to the area for that, and also for watering the garden back there. What type of underground pipe is best to use?

A. If acceptable in the local code, use PVC pipe. It's easy to cut and connect, and is long-lasting. Just make sure everything you are doing is right. Contact your city or county office and check the plumbing codes with them. Make sure you are being careful whenever you dig so you don't cut your phone line or anything else underground.

Reader tips

• I hate mice! Ever since new houses started going in on the next block, the mice have moved over to our street. We set out traps and have tried a variety of baits, but bacon is my favorite. The bacon is hard for them to pull out of the trap, and I seem to catch a lot more with bacon than with peanut butter or anything else. I just thought I would pass this info on to other readers in case they want to try it. It's not the better trap that matters, it's the better bait!

• I had a magnetic paper-clip holder at my office and used it all the time. I bought a similar model for my workbench. It's great for controlling the small amounts of assorted hardware that I always have lying around. Any odds and ends go right into the container, and they will be there if and when I need them. The magnetic holder keeps them from spilling out, even if I knock it over.

• In an effort to cut down on trash, I try to eliminate some of the things I throw away. Dryer sheets are one thing I've been able to do away with. I have found that if I soak an old rag with some fabric softener and throw that into the dryer with the clothes, it works the same, only I can do it over and over again and not create trash every time. The rag will last a long time - in fact, I'm still using the same rag I started using a month ago.

• When I found out what it would cost to have my old refrigerator hauled off, I decided to use it in my greenhouse. I put a hasp lock on the front so it couldn't be accessed without a key, and then I placed all of my chemical fertilizers and insecticides in it. Now they are safe from accidentally getting into the wrong hands, and also from the elements. I even painted the fridge green so it looks nicer. It's a great addition to my greenhouse, and I think it will be around for a long time.

• The first thing I did when we started putting down the new tile floor in the family room was throw out my back. I wasn't sure I could complete the job, but I did. I bought a red wagon and put the boxes of tiles in it to carry to the area I was working in that day. It was so much easier than carrying them by hand. The wagon saved my back, and I gave it to our church after I was finished with it. The floor turned out great, and my back is much better now.

Shoptalk

• Sumo Glue is a great glue for all of your wooden projects. It's 100 percent waterproof and has a very quick drying time of only three minutes. It's superstrong and will work on many plastics and even metal. It has a polyurethane base and can be painted after the full curing time. It's made by the folks at Loctite, and it's available at many paint and hardware stores, as well as home centers. If you would like to know more about this product or any of the other products from Loctite, visit the company online at loctiteproducts.com.

•Some folks say that a tape is only as good as its dispenser. If that's true, then the One-Handed Invisible Tape dispenser from Duck is pretty good. It's easy to hold in one hand, and by simply pressing it as you dispense it, it stays right where you want it, and there is no more awkward cutting and no fingerprints on it when you are finished. Your projects will look super! It's great for the shop and also for the office and school. Check it out at office-supply stores and discount stores. To find out more, visit duckproducts.com.

• Write to Al and Kelly Carrell in care of the Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006, or visit the Carrells' Web site at thesuperhandyman.com.

© 2009, Cowles Syndicate Inc.