RE: concrete stain ,
 > Hi,
> We recently faced the same questions concerning our cement floor finishing
> here's what we found.
>
> Oringinal Plan: was for stamped and pigmented (color added at the cement
plant)
> with stained accents and highlighting to simulate a sautillo tile. Our
project
> is rather large 2900 sq ft SB house with 1800 sq ft porch surrounding it.
Lot's
> of cement approx. 160 sq yds. After looking at the costs we changed our
minds
> rather quickly.
>
> Labor for Stamping Crew $2500.00
> Davis Color Stain 4lbs per yd x 100 yds x $18 lb $7200.00
>
> These are above and beyond the cost of the concrete.
>
> Actual Result: Took a truck and trailer to Mexico and handpicked Sautillo
tiles
> for inside the house. Changed the color of the cement on the porch to 1lb
per yd
> mix color, added the overrun tiles we had left over as stringers in the
porch
> and accented with acid etched stain.
>
> Tiles and Transportation $3000.00
> Labor, mastic and beer. tile setting (did it myself) $1400.00
> Acid Stain for porch $ 350.00
> Davis Pigment $15 x 40 yds $ 600.00
>
> I can get you the info on the stain if you like, I ordered it from a
company the
> web, can't remember off hand who. I ordered a sample kit for $35.00 which
has 7
> colors you can mix and match for the results you want. It was easy to work
with
> much like painting in water colors on a large scale.
>
> Hope this helps you out,
>
> Matt Kizziah
>
strawbale@crest.org