How to know if acid etch was successful?

[dhua]

Hi all,

Trying to DIY epoxying my garage floor and I've just completed the acid etch stop. I'm concerned that I may have pre-wet the floor too much and that once the etch arrived, it would be ultimately too diluted. Didn't really observe any fizzing. Am I okay to proceed with the epoxy? Any advice will be appreciated, thanks

I used the concrete etch in this kit: https://www.bunnings.com.au/dy-mark-8l-titanium-grey-epoxy-coat-garage-floor-kit_p0222020 and it was mixed in a 9L watering can. 

[EricL]

Hello @dhua 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your acid etching.

Please allow us to contact our supplier regarding your query. If too much water was applied to the surface of the concrete, it might have diluted the efficacy of the etching mix. As soon as we have more information, we'll get back to you. In the meantime, please do not apply anything else to your floor.

Thank you for your patience.

Eric

[dhua]

Hi Eric,

Thanks for your response and looking into it for me.

Yep I was going to wait some time before conducting a porosity test as per Step 6 here: https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/home-improvement/flooring/how-to-epoxy-a-garage-floor

Won't apply anything else to the floor until confident.

[MitchellMc]

Hi @dhua,

Was your concrete quite clean to begin with? You'll only see fizzing with the etch when it comes in contact with contaminents. So, it's not unusual not to see fizzing on new or very clean slabs.

How much water did you pre-wet with? As long as you just wet all the concrete but didn't have pools of water on it, the etching process likely worked. I'd do the porosity test to see where you are at. The etching is designed to remove contaminants and open the pores in the concrete. As long as the porosity test works and your concrete is clean, you are probably fine with coating the surface.

However, if you are concerned that the etching process failed, use Berger Jet Dry 1kg Active Etch to redo the area. Though, you also don't want to etch too much, or you can turn the surface of the concrete powdery.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[dhua]

Hi Mitchell,

Thanks for chiming in.

Yes basically a new build/slab so only a little dirt was brought in which was scrubbed away with a stiff broom. That's relieving to hear for the lack of fizz.

I might have flooded it without thinking. There are some parts that are quite smooth and some that's rough so the floor currently feels inconsistent. I'll conduct a porosity test on the different surfaces and go from there. Thanks for the advice and the product mention.

[JacobZ]

Hi @dhua,

Keep us in the loop if you have any other questions moving forward.

We are more than happy to assist you further if required.

Jacob