Product Data

Mosaics^® Acid-Reactive Concrete Color Stain

1. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Mosaics® Reactive Stains can turn ordinary concrete into a masterpiece with beautiful colors and decorative shading and variation. Because they are penetrating stains and not film-forming coatings, Mosaics® Reactive Stains allow the appearance of a concrete surface to remain exposed. The stains respond to subtle variations in the concrete to impart beautiful mottled colors with the variegated appearance of natural materials. Mosaics® Reactive Stains create dappled earth-toned effects reminiscent of natural stone, aged leather, tile or a metal patina. They are an acid-based and chemically-reactive stain. The acid etches the surface to allow metallic salts to penetrate into and chemically react with calcium hydroxide (free lime), in cured concrete. The reaction forms new insoluble chemical compounds that permanently color the concrete in a range of earth tone shades. The resulting colors reach a depth of up to 1/8" (3mm) beneath the concrete surface for long-term durability.Basic Use: Mosaics® Reactive Stains are versatile colorants that can be applied to existing or new cured concrete and are suitable for both interior and exterior application to cast-in-place or precast concrete, concrete masonry units, cementitious overlays, stucco, mortar, grout, and most any other Portland cement-based surfaces.Use them to enhance the appearance of concrete floors and walls, sidewalks and driveways, patios and pool decks, and other concrete surfaces such as countertops and furniture. MasterFormat Section 03 35 19 Colored Concrete Finishing.

Composition: Mosaics® Reactive Stains contain water, hydrochloric acid, metallic salts and surfactants and wetting agents.

Colors and Finishes: The final appearance of stained concrete will vary according to application technique and the absorption and composition of the concrete. Mosaics® Reactive Stains are available in ten standard color shades.  Different shades of Mosaics® Reactive Stains can be blended to create additional colors, but should never be mixed with Mosaics® Pigment Stains. Mosaics® Reactive Stains can be used full strength for concentrated coloring or diluted for less intense coloration. For lighter colors Mosaic® Reactive Stains can be applied over concrete made with white Portland cement, light base Mosaics® Color Hardener or white base Mosaics® Overlayment.

Note: The color of a Mosaics® Reactive Stain as a liquid, or when initially applied does not indicate the color that will develop after it has had time to react with the concrete. For example, a Mosaics® Reactive Stain that appears green when first applied to concrete can result in a warm red variegated finish.

Related Products: For creative effects, Mosaics® Reactive Stains can be used with other Mosaics® products including integral concrete colors, color hardeners, release agents, cementitious overlays, and concrete stamping and texturing tools. Contact your Mosaics® representative or distributor for additional information.

Mosaics® Reactive Stains should be sealed with Mosaics® Clear-Seal to enhance the color of stained surface and protect against wear. Mosaics® Clear-Seal is available in water-based and quick-dry solvent-based formulation and either low-gloss or "wet-look" gloss finishes. For interior applications, the use of Mosaics® Gloss Polish or Gloss Polish Plus is recommended to protect and enhance the durability and shine of the floor.

Limitations: Mosaics® Reactive Stains® do not produce a uniform color or appearance! Results will vary unpredictably depending on subtle variations in application technique and texture, composition and preparation of the concrete surface. Stains do not cover or hide blemishes in concrete; surface contamination, footprints, defects, and repairs may become more visible after staining. For a more uniform looking finish, use Mosaics® Tinted Color-Seal products instead of Mosaics® Reactive Stains.

Pozzolanic additives in concrete (such as fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, silica fume, and high reactivity metakaolin) consume calcium hydroxide and may reduce the intensity of color created by Mosaics® Reactive Stains. Test proposed materials in an inconspicuous area before use.Concrete exposed to heavy vehicular traffic or other abrasion can wear away the sealer over time and change the appearance of stained surface. Periodic re-application of the sealer can minimize this effect.Surfaces subject to foot traffic must meet applicable guidelines for slip resistance. This can be accomplished by using a rough-textured concrete surface or by adding Mosaics® Seal-Grip® additives into Mosaics® Clear-Seal sealer.

Mosaics® sealers and waxes are not currently approved for use on food-contact or food handling surfaces such as countertops or food preparation areas.

2. TECHNICAL DATA

Form: Translucent / Opaque Liquid.

(H)Hydrochloric or (P)Phosphoric Acid.

U.N. Hazard Class: 8 - Corrosive (ORM-D Inner packages <5L)

U.N. Ship #: (H)UN1789 (P)UN1085

HMIS Codes: Health-3, Flammability-0, Reactivity-2

(0=Minimal, 1=Slight, 2=Moderate, 3=Serious, 4=Severe)

NFPA Fire Rating: Health-2, Fire-0, Reactivity-2

(0=Insignificant, 1=Slight, 2=Moderate, 3=High, 4=Extreme)
Stability: Stable

Specific Gravity: 1.30

Environmental Considerations:

LEED® Version 2.1 Credits:

Credit MR 1 - Building Reuse and Credit MR 3 - Resource Reuse: Mosaics® Reactive Stains can be applied to properly prepared existing concrete.

Credit MR 5 - Local/Regional Materials: Mosaic Stains® are manufactured in the State of Georgia.

Other Considerations:

Stains require less raw material and energy than do other types of finishes.

Stained concrete is an almost permanent finish; with proper maintenance, color stains will last for as long as the concrete surface.

Stained concrete does not support mold or fungi.

Stained concrete can be recycled along with other concrete debris at the end of a structure's service life.

3. INSTALLATION

Mosaics® Reactive Stains turn concrete into an artist's canvas with endless possibilities for creative expression. These are general application guidelines but do not describe all the unique techniques available to professional designers and craftsmen. Whenever possible, final selection and specification of decorative concrete finishes should be made based upon examination and job-site test samples made with the materials and techniques proposed for a project. Use a high level of care and attention to detail when applying Mosaics® Reactive Stains. Read and observe instructions on product labels.

Field Samples: Test apply Mosaics® Reactive Stains and Mosaics® Clear-Seal to a small area of surface to be treated; apply in location that will not be conspicuous in completed project as sealed surfaces cannot be re-treated with Mosaic Reactive Stains®. Follow instructions below and use materials and techniques proposed for project. Evaluate acceptability of sample's appearance before proceeding. Apply Mosaics® Reactive Stains in the same manner for the field sample as specified for the project.

Site Preparation:

• 1. New Concrete: Finish concrete in accordance with applicable American Concrete Institute specifications and other industry best practices. Cure concrete 14 days minimum (28 days is best practice) before applying Mosaic® Reactive Stains. Use moist curing techniques such as water misting; surface-applied curing compounds may interfere with penetration of stains and should be used only when field samples demonstrate their acceptability.
• 2. Patch defects in concrete surface. Because stains applied over patches can appear different from surrounding areas, test appearance of stains on patching materials to assure acceptable results.
• 3. If any sealer or curing compound is present on the concrete surface to be stained, it will act as a barrier and prevent the stain from reacting. Test concrete for presence of a sealer or curing compound by pouring a small amount of water (2-4 oz.) on the surface in several locations. Wait 5 to 10 minutes to see if the water is absorbed (concrete will look darkened). If water stays on surface or concrete does not darken when wet, either a sealer is present or the concrete surface has been hard-troweled, burnished or polished enough that it prevents water from penetrating. Most sealers and curing compounds can be removed with Mosaics® Citra-Peel. Use Mosaics® Surface Prep to open up a hard-troweled surface. Refer to instructions on Mosaics® CitraClean® and Mosaics® Surface-Prep data sheets and labels for more information.
• 4. Clean concrete. Surfaces must be clean and free from oil, paint, wax, sealers, curing compounds, other stains, rubber marks, footprints, dirt, laitance and contamination. Use Mosaics® CitraClean® cleaner and Mosaics® Surface-Prep to clean surface, ensuring the surface is free of any paint, coatings, sealants, adhesives or rubber marks. Do not allow construction traffic over cleaned surfaces. If necessary, clean again immediately prior to application. After cleaning, rinse surface with water and allow to dry completely before applying stain. DO NOT acid wash or etch the surface with Muriatic (Hydrochloric) acid. Refer to instructions on Mosaics® CitraClean® and Mosaics® Surface-Prep data sheets and labels for more information.
• 5. Protect surrounding surfaces, structures and plants against unintentional contact with stains. Use plastic sheeting and tape for acid resistance.
• 6. Visually survey the flatwork to determine the pattern of application, based on traffic patterns and how the surface will be viewed. Try to avoid dry laps where wet stain will overlap dried stain. Dry laps will cause visible lines and must be minimized or if unavoidable, planned for non-visible places.
• 7. Realize that the color will develop over a few hours, so try to envision the results while applying the stain, even though it appears a different and lighter color during application.

Stain Application:

• 1. Do not apply if ambient temperature or temperature of concrete is below 50°F (10°C) or above 85°F (29°C) or in conditions of high wind and blowing dust.
• 2. Concrete surface can be damp (but not wet) before applying stain. Lightly mist concrete with water using a clean, all plastic pump sprayer. Allow surface moisture to evaporate or be absorbed by concrete. Be sure there is no standing water in saw cuts or joints; dry using a wet-vacuum or blow dryer if necessary.
• 3. Tools and containers must be acid resistant and made of plastic or wood. Make sure there are no hidden metal parts such as metal spray tip or hose fittings as they will corrode in contact with Mosaic® Reactive Stains. Do not use colored or black tools as their color may bleed.
• 4. Invert and gently shake Mosaics® Reactive Stains containers several times to eliminate settlement that may have occurred.
• 5. Mosaic Reactive Stains® can be used straight out of the bottle or diluted up to 50% with water before use. To dilute, POUR MOSAIC® REACTIVE STAINS INTO CONTAINER OF WATER. NEVER POUR WATER INTO MOSAIC® REACTIVE STAINS. Pouring water into Mosaic Reactive Stains® can cause solution to boil and spray acid out of the container. Document all the variations in the stain dilution thoroughly and accurately, and keep them in the job folder.
• 6. Apply with plastic sprayer or bristle brush. Keep the leading edge of the brush wet and brush in circular motion for a more varied and mottled finish. Use sprayer for a more even finish. Cover the entire surface thoroughly. Do not place sprayer or buckets directly on the concrete as this can leave permanent imprint stains in the shape of the sprayer or bucket. Do not allow the stain to puddle. If the stain does spill, wipe up immediately.
• 7. Allow stain to dry and after 4 hours, re-apply if needed, allowing the stain to cure overnight. Do not wash the surface between stain coats. The next day, sweep or scrub off dried residue. Residue may contain acidic compounds and should be disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations.
• 8. Neutralize the surface by mopping with a solution of 1/2 cup (50 ml) ammonia to 1 gallon (4 Liters) water. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) or TSP (trisodium phosphate) can also be used in lieu of ammonia.
• 9. Flood surface with clean water, then wet-vacuum surface; repeat until stain residue is completely removed. It is very critical that the floor is clean of any residue before applying concrete sealer.
• 10. The color of wet surface will look similar to the finished appearance after application of Mosaics® Clear Sealer.
• 11. Barricade and protect surface until it is completely dry and sealer is cured. Air circulation fans will quicken drying.

Treatment of Residue: Collect rinse water, residue and runoff into a plastic container, and neutralize acidic pH with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) or TSP (trisodium phosphate). Check pH with litmus paper or pH pencil. Litmus paper is available at any pool supply store. Let the residue stand for 1-2 hours, until the sediment has fallen out of solution. The solution then may be poured out for disposal. In most cases, the neutralized solution may be disposed of through a treated sewer line and the hardened sediment may be disposed of in normal refuse receptacles.

Sealer Application: Finish the acid-stained surface with Mosaics® Clear-Seal water-base or quick-dry solvent-base sealer to enhance the intensity of the color-stained surface and to reduce fading from abrasion and erosion of the concrete surface. Mosaics® Clear-Seal is available in low-gloss and "wet-look" gloss finishes.

• 1. Apply two thin coats of Mosaics® Clear-Seal®; follow application instructions on product data sheet and package label. In exterior applications, depending on the surface and expected pedestrian traffic, a third coat may be applied for greater protection.
• 2. Prevent pedestrian traffic on the surface for 48 hours and vehicular traffic for 72 hours.
• 3. For a slip-resistant finish, mix Mosaics® Seal-Grip® or Seal-Grip® Plus additive into topcoat of sealer or hand broadcast onto surface between coats. Refer to instructions on Mosaics® Seal-Grip® or Seal-Grip® Plus data sheet and label for more information

NOTE: ALWAYS TEST APPLY ON A SMALL INCONSPICUOUS AREA AND APPROVE FINISHED APPEARANCE BEFORE TREATING FULL AREA. Stain cannot be removed once applied, therefore take care in selecting a test area. Test area must be on the same concrete as where the desired result is located. Differences in concrete's age, makeup, curing method and finish will impact the coverage rate, performance and resulting appearance of the stain.

Gloss Polish Application: For interior applications, Mosaics® Gloss Polish or Gloss Polish Plus should be applied over the sealer. The polish acts as a renewable wearing surface that extends the life of the sealer, adds gloss and protects the surface. In areas of high traffic, if the sealer is not protected, it could wear off and eventually the acid stain itself can wear off, exposing bare concrete. On chemically stained floors, the sealer protects the stain and Mosaics® Gloss Polish protects the sealer. If applied on top of a solvent-based sealer like Mosaics® Clear Seal SB, allow sealer to cure for at least 48 hours prior to applying Mosaics® Gloss Polish. Refer to instructions on Mosaics® Gloss Polish data sheet and label for more information.

Coverage: Mosaic Reactive Stains® can be diluted up to 50/50 with water and provide approximately 200 to 300 sq. ft. coverage per gallon of concentrate. At full strength, undiluted coverage is 150 - 200 square feet per gallon. Coverage may be less if concrete is very rough or absorptive, application conditions are hot or windy, or if applied in thick coats or multiple applications.

Precautions: Protect from freezing and temperatures above 90°F (32°C) prior to application.

4. AVAILABILITY & COST

Availability: Sold throughout the US and Canada through building product dealers and concrete producers. Inventory is also stocked in our factories and regional warehouses for quick shipment.

Packaging: Mosaics® Reactive Stains are available in 1-gallon jugs (4 per carton) and 5-gallon DOT-approved plastic containers.

Cost: Pricing for Mosaics® Reactive Stains is available from distributors. Mosaics® Reactive Stains are an economical alternative to many non-concrete flooring materials and finishes. They are an excellent choice for reducing building cost while dramatically improving the building or hardscape appearance. As a general guideline, a standard application of Mosaics® Reactive Stain and sealer costs from $1.00 to $3.00 per square foot when applied to properly prepared concrete floor. More complicated finishes such as decorative patterns, saw cuts and designs can raise the application cost to $7.00 to $15.00 or more per square foot. (Cost information from page 22 of Bob Harris Guide to Stained Concrete Interior Floors, published in 2004 by Decorative Concrete Institutes, Inc. and ConcreteNetwork.com, Inc.)

Life-Cycle Cost: When properly maintained, Mosaics® Reactive Stains last as long as the concrete surfaces to which they are applied and are an attractive life-cycle value. This makes them an attractive life-cycle value because it eliminates the cost of periodic replacement associated with some other floor finishes.

5. WARRANTY

Mosaics® Reactive Stains are a product of Concrete Depot. Concrete Depot guarantees Mosaic® Reactive Stains are made in a quality-controlled process and each batch is tested to comply with specifications. Concrete Depot warrants the original purchaser of this product against defects in materials for a period of 1 year from date of purchase. Since you are in control of the application, process and conditions of use of this product, you have an obligation to test it to determine its suitability for your project. Because the final appearance resulting from the use of this product is dependent on the composition and surface of the concrete and the method of application, Concrete Depot does not guarantee the resulting concrete or surface treated with this product. Despite this, if liability should be established for any damage, purchaser's sole remedy shall be refund of product purchase price from point of purchase or replacement for the amount of stain found defective at our option. All recommendations, statements and technical data contained in this brochure are based on information we believe to be true and accurate. Notice of any claim of defect must be given in writing. THIS IS THE ENTIRE WARRANTY AND NO OTHER WARRANTY, WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. CONCRETE DEPOT SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE REMEDIES PROVIDED HEREIN ARE BUYER'S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES. IN NO EVENT SHALL CONCRETE DEPOT BE LIABLE FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOSS OF PROFIT OR LABOR COSTS) WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER LEGAL DOCTRINE.

6. MAINTENANCE

Cleaning: Keep surface broom clean. Mop surface as required with mild detergent and water. In areas with sand or grit, use door or floor mats to reduce abrasive wearing of concrete surface.

Reapplication of Sealer and Gloss Polish: Reapply Mosaics® Clear Sealer to exterior surfaces and Mosaics® Gloss Polish to interior surfaces as required to protect and restore the appearance of stained concrete.

7. TECHNICAL SERVICES

Technical support is provided by independent Mosaics® distributors with assistance from Mosaics® representatives located throughout the US. Laboratory services are available to provide technical assistance and formulate custom colors for large projects.

8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Material Safety Data Sheet

Color Card

Mosaics® Stain Application Guide

Data on other Mosaics® products

!!!!DANGER -CONTAINS ACID!!!!

ACID CAN BURN SKIN AND EYES.

Mosaics Reactive Stains® are for use by qualified professional contractors and trained applicators.

Diluting Mosaics® Reactive Stains: ALWAYS POUR MOSAICS® REACTIVE STAIN INTO WATER. NEVER POUR WATER INTO MOSAICS® REACTIVE STAIN. Pouring water into Mosaics® Reactive Stain can cause solution to boil and spray acid out of container.

Apply in well-ventilated space. Wear protective clothing, a hydrogen chloride respirator, splash resistant eye protection and impervious gloves. See Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

Before beginning application of Mosaics® Reactive Stains, Make neutralizer solution of 1 pound of baking soda into 5 gallons of water. Keep neutralizer near work area in case of personal contact with acid.

WARNING: Contains water soluble Chrome-6 (Hexavalent Chrome). Prolonged or repeated inhalation of Hexavalent Chrome dust or mist can cause cancer or other health problems. When sold and applied, this product is a liquid that dries on the surface of concrete. If concrete is sandblasted after application of stain, dust may contain Chrome-6. Wear dust respirator to prevent breathing dust during sandblasting.

IN CASE OF ACCIDENT:

EYE CONTACT: Flush eyes with clean water for 15 minutes. Contact physician if irritation continues.

SKIN CONTACT: Wash skin with soap and water or neutralizing solution made as described above. Contact physician if irritation continues.

INGESTION: Do NOT induce vomiting. Immediately contact physician or poison control center.

HANDLING: Wear splash-proof eye shield or goggles, body-covering clothing and chemically resistant gloves when handling this product. Avoid eye or skin contact. Use in well ventilated area. Avoid breathing vapor or mist. Keep from freezing. Ventilate area being treated during application and drying periods.

SPILLS: Large quantities - Wear protective clothing and acid respirator during cleanup.  Contain spill and reclaim as much as possible by mopping or collection on absorbent material.  Collect and store in a sealable container.  Sprinkle residue with soda ash or sodium bicarbonate to neutralize and flush neutral residue to drain.