I have been very methodical trying to get this concrete ready for a solid stain finish, but when I used the Behr concrete primer it looked weird after one coat. I called them and they thought I should wait 8 hours and recoat. I did and now it has orange peel. I have never refinished a concrete floor but have experience with many paints and orange peel is bad - is it the same on concrete? I am worried the stain will do the same thing. Any advice?

Orange peel on surface finish is usually due to viscosity and the fact that the finish dries before it can flow properly. Was the concrete hot or in direct sun? Almost impossible to repair on such a large surface.

No, it is in an air conditioned house in AZ. Behr told me to try a small section to see if the stain would work so that is what I will try tomorrow. If that doesn't work I am not sure what I will do... Strip the entire floor (500 sq ft). This primer was weird, very thin, and yes it was well mixed.

It may have been an old can of primer.Take it back to where you purchased it and explain to them what happened. I have painted and stained many concrete floors and this has never happened to me. Did you acid etch the concrete first?

Sounds like Yochy is using a stain that is pigment based not acid. Ive had much better results with true acid stains. We will be trying polished concrete moving forward as we've had inconsistent results in the sealers. The sealers are the weak point in stained concrete finishes. If you are doing new construction look into it but if its existing, probably too much mess.

I don't think the stain has been applied yet. This discussion is about the primer having an orange peel effect which is why I asked if the concrete was acid etched prior to application of concrete bonding primer.If it wasn't then that is where the problem is.