How To Stain Concrete Patio To Look Like Stone

November 7, 2021

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Removing The Previous Coating

How to paint concrete patio with Behr Granite Grip floor covering

The best way to remove any previous coating like epoxy paint is to grind off the surface. It will make the surface most suitable for sticking the overlay material you are going to apply.

I recommend this Dewalt concrete grinder to get the best results. It performs just right, and you can easily attach a vacuum hose to cut back on the dust on the working surface.

This grinding process should remove all those previous epoxies efficiently.

Now lets move to the next step.

The Best Mold To Use For Diy Stepping Stones

For my reusable concrete mold, I used vinyl chair strapping.

These straps are replacement straps that are used to repair vinyl strap outdoor chairs.

However, there may be a cheaper alternative, such as vertical vinyl blinds slats.

With my vinyl straps, I was limited to making only three molds at a time.

However, since the concrete sets in an hour, it would have been physically difficult to work on more than three at a time, so the three molds sufficed.

Besides, youll see in the tutorial steps that you should actually be able to remove the straps after about 10-20 minutes and move on to making the next stepping stone.

All in all, these straps worked out great because of how easily you could mold it into different shapes.

More In Stamping & Texturing Concrete:

Ideal for patios, concrete driveways or other expansive exteriors, this stamping technique is all about subtle variations in color and texture, resulting in a realistic stony finish.

Ingredients:

4,000-psi blended stone concrete mix with gray cementBrickform Color Hardener: Light GrayBrickform Antique Release: Medium Gray, Smokey BlueProline Concrete Tools Seamless Skins: Italian SlateBrickform Creative Images Texture Mats: AshlarKemiko Stone Tone Stain: Black, Cola, Maylay TanAcetoneH& C SharkGrip Slip-Resistant AdditiveKingdom Cure solvent-based cure and seal

Special Equipment Required:

Various sizes of disposable brushesPlastic cupsAmmonia

Directions:

Concrete Oasis Inc., Malvern, Pa.www.concreteoasis.com

Pour Some Of The Mixture On Your Dirty Patio

The next step is to pour the mixture onto the affected patio slabs. You might want to do this in stages if you have a large area that you need to clean.

Before scrubbing, remember to test your solution on a small area of your paving to ensure there is no damage, and remember to wear protective gloves to protect your hands. Once you have scrubbed your paving area, use clean water to rinse away the soap avoiding garden areas.

Lynsey Queen Of Clean Recommends Amazing Cleaning Product

Stained Concrete Patio made to look like slate

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Outdoor concrete is exposed to harsh weather and lots of use, meaning it can start to look grubby quite quickly, despite lasting the test of time. Paving slabs take some care in order to continue looking sharp, and typically need a pressure washer to give them a quick blast.

Also Check: How To Remove Mildew From Patio Furniture Cushions

Seal Over Tape With Primer

A tip I got from Peter Daich was to then go back with a brush and seal down the tape lines with the primer again. This ensures that there will be minimal seepage of the next coats of paint under the tape. The tape stays on until all of the layers are completed and comes up just before the clear coats go on. Marks red rolling stool helped my back a lot on this process! I rolled around the patio painting lines.

Once they are all painted over, the tape disappears, but its going to do its job under there and give me a gorgeous look when finished. This is a layer by layer, step by step process, but I think its totally worth the effort! I would do it again in a minute.

Taped and ready for the next coat.

One: Pressure Wash Your Concrete

Definitely start with a clean patio. I pressure washed each section right before I started painting it. This section under the patio was my first section. I had posts to work around so that was a little slower, but it all worked out. I have a battery powered blower handy too to keep blowing debris off. There is always going to be leaf debris, dog hair, or ants that want to get in your way, so keep a blower handy as youre working to keep it as clean as you can.

All clean and ready to paint with primer. I did one coat per day, but you can actually do it a little faster according to the video. I did end up doing both faux colors on the same day after the first section was done.

Recommended Reading: Diy Patio Storage

Of : Loosening Light Stains With Vinegar

1Combine distilled white vinegar with warm water. Pour the vinegar and water into a large bucket in equal quantities and stir them together. Vinegar is naturally acidic, and can help lift and dissolve stains from within the shallow pores of the concrete better than water alone. Use a ratio of two parts vinegar to one part water if your patio has been affected by moss or mildew growth.XResearch source

If you dont happen to have vinegar on hand, the same concentration of hydrogen peroxide should also do the trick.XResearch source

For slightly heavier or more persistent grime, add half a cup of baking soda to the vinegar solution.

2Douse the dirty concrete with the vinegar solution. Slosh the contents of the bucket directly over the surface of the patio. Making sure to cover as much area as you can so that the vinegar will be able to clean the concrete evenly.XResearch source

Apply the solution liberally. Vinegar isnt damage concrete, so you wont have to worry about accidentally using too much.

It may be necessary to mix up more solution if youre cleaning a particularly large area.

3Allow the vinegar to sit for several hours. While vinegar makes an effective natural cleaner, it is relatively mild, which means it will take time to work. The solution will gradually seep down into the concrete, breaking up trapped and solidified dirt.XResearch source

Make better use of your time by tackling other household cleaning and maintenance tasks while the concrete is soaking.

Can Brick Patio Pavers Be Stained

Acid staining a concrete patio for beginners how to part 2

Yes. If pavers have been previously sealed, we recommend using Direct Colors Portico Paver Stain followed by a solvent-based acrylic sealer assuming your pavers are outside.

If the pavers are not sealed, and you are a bit of a risk taker try our Everstain Acid Stains. Keep in mind that acid stains react with the underlying concrete itself in order to work properly.

I have an outdoor patio made of the red concrete brick pavers and 1 ft. x 1 ft. red concrete squares. Can I stain these to a darker color? Thanks, Larry

To help out Larry and anyone else hoping to stain their brick patio pavers, our concrete expert, Justin, has some advice on how to stain faded concrete brick pavers.

Heres Justins response to Larrys question:

Yes, you have a couple of staining options for concrete brick pavers. Although internal coloring, like the brick red pigment, will affect the outcome of the paver stains final color, it is absolutely essential to know whether the pavers have been sealed previously to know which route to take with selecting a stain.

Best Product for Staining Concrete Pavers

Portico Paver Stain is a highly saturated, exterior concrete stain specifically formulated to color concrete pavers. This stain can be applied over previously stained and even sealed concrete pavers.

Portico is a semi-transparent stain, and not opaque, like paint. It will add a tint to your concrete pavers while allowing the existing texture to show through.

Build A Structure Over It

There are two ideas you can try out to get mind-boggling results. One idea is to build a gazebo, while the other is to add a pergola. The gazebo is great for outdoor relaxation and comfort.

With each of these two designs, you need to add furniture because this awesomeness needs it. If you add a pergola, the sunlight hits different on the surface. You get to enjoy the coziness they offer.

Moreso, the pergola or any overhead structure helps to enclose the space. Gazebos and pergolas make the outdoor feel more private, thus comforting. All you have to do is check your patio and see which overhead structure is best suited.

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An overhead trellis will play around with natural sunlight creating beautiful patterns, and you can add just about anything such as speakers, vines, or even ceiling fans.

A wooden gazebo will work wonders! Just like a pergola, a wooden gazebo doesnt come cheap. They help concentrate the appeal on a single point over your concrete patio. You can place matching furniture in the middle and trellis frames on the sides to add to the highlights.

There are a dozen ideas on the gazebo painting you can try out as well. Similarly, you can select different gazebo designs.

Is It Better To Paint Or Stain A Concrete Patio

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy your yard and host a barbecue or two on your concrete patio. You can upgrade with new patio furniture and planting fresh blooms around the backyard, but the best way to wow your summer guests is to add a concrete coating to your patio. If you already have a cement patio, you have two main options for concrete coatings. Both are beautiful and functional options, but you may find one suits your tastes better.

Faux Finishing Techniques For Concrete

This concrete floor features a faux finish that looks like oversized tiles. Tailored Living of Madison in Madison, WI.

Faux finishing is simply the art of simulation where you make one surface look like something else. The technique has been used for centuries to dress up plaster walls. But its also possible to faux finish nearly any concrete surface, including floors, exterior pavements, countertops, walls and fireplaces.

Find decorative concrete contractors near me.

The moldability and workability of concrete make it a highly versatile medium for faux finishes. Techniques such as covering walls with vertical concrete overlays, applying decorative stencils and stains, and using cement-based floor toppings can transform a blank concrete canvas into faux stone, wood, tile, carpet and nearly anything else you can imagine.

Applications and design options:

Faux finishing projects and design ideas:

Concrete Creations in Plymouth, IN.

Use Trisodium Phosphate To Clean Concrete Patio

How to Stain Concrete Patio to Look Like Stone? [Full Guide]

If you are looking for a heavy-duty cleaner for your concrete patio, you should take TSP into your consideration.

TSP, also known as trisodium phosphate, is renowned for being a strong cleaner. It is odorless and colorless. Besides, it does not contain any bleach nor ammonia.

How to clean concrete patio without pressure washer, but using TSP, instead?

Trisodium phosphate comes in the form of dry powder. Therefore, you have to mix ½ cup of TSP with 2 gallons of hot water in a few minutes until you get a mostly clear solution. It will be slightly cloudy, though.

Once you get the cleaning solution, soak a sponge in it and squeeze the excess water from it. Make sure it is rather damp and begin to clean the stain from the bottom upward.

You need to move it in broad strokes for a better result. Repeat the steps several times. If the stains do not come off, you can try applying TSP with a nylon-bristled scrub brush.

To avoid any white spots on the surface of your concrete patio, try rinsing the cleaned area using warm water. Use a new sponge and a new bucket to do it.

Those were the steps on how to clean concrete patio without pressure washer.

Also Check: How To Build Patio Steps Using Pavers

How Do I Keep My Paving Slabs From Turning Green

Three DIY solutions for removing green deposits

A high-pressure cleaner. Especially during spring and summer, many people choose a high-pressure cleaner for cleaning paving slabs.

Chlorine or white vinegar. An often used patio cleaning solution is chlorine or white vinegar.

Mixture of soft soap, soda and hot water.

Gulzar Germa

For Cleaning Oil From Plain Trowelled Concrete:

Here are some tips weve picked up from elsewhere for cleaning concrete. These methods should not be used on coloured, or imprinted concrete, or on concrete pavers, or tarmacadam.

Mix 1 measure of trisodium phosphate with 6 measures of water. Daub this over the stain with a clean, old paintbrush and allow the goo to dry completely before scraping off the dried paste, which should, hopefully, bring most of the oil with it. Rinse the concrete surface and scrub vigorously with a stiff brush and clean water.
Prepare a solution of 5% sodium hydroxide . Daub it over the oil stain using an old paintbrush and allow it to dry for at least 24 hours. Rinse and scrub with clean water, then repeat as required.
Paint white spirit or turps over the stain. Let the solvent evaporate for at least one hour before rinsing with hot, soapy water. Repeat as required.

Prep The Area For Staining

Now that the concrete is clean, make sure your shoes are, too, before you walk on the patio again. The surrounding ground will be wet from concrete cleaning. We changed into a pair of clean, dry shoes to work on the patio. Before cracking open the stain, shield the lower portion of the house and any nearby landscaping materials to protect against drifting spray. Tape plastic film along the siding. You don’t have to protect plants and grass if you don’t want to . If any dirt gets on the patio after you’ve cleaned it, brush the concrete lightly with a broom to avoid pushing the dirt into the surface.

Staining Concrete Design Ideas

How to Stain Concrete Paving Stones, Staining Patio Pavers

Here are a few one-of-a-kind flooring and patio ideas which might inspire you to get started:

Use stained concrete floor art to create artistic surfaces that are not only beautiful, but also practical, durable and cost-effective.
Let outdoor landscape inspire distinctive faux finishes including those of breath-taking streams, rocks, and sand.
Match your driveway to the exterior of your house by using concrete driveway staining methods
Apply dark brown acid stain to give your driveway a rustic look.
Rejuvenate your patio by adding a stained border.
Make your stamped concrete patio look like brick or stone-pavers

Recommended Reading: How To Remove Mold From Fabric Cushions

Make Natural Looking Diy Concrete Stepping Stones Or Pavers Color The Concrete And Mold It Into The Shape Of Real Fieldstones Or Flagstones

Finally, the DIY concrete stepping stones are finished!

Its a project I wanted to do last year because when we moved into this rental home, we quickly decided that we wouldnt use the front door to go in and out of the house. Why?

Because the existing path from the driveway to the door was 6 deep with pebbles.

To walk on it, I kid you not, this so-called stone path was like trudging through quicksand or even like walking in deep water.

Someone didnt have their thinking cap on when they made that path. 0) We truly needed functional stepping stones.

Now if you arent looking to make your own concrete stones, then you may want to check out my post How To Build A Concrete Paver Patio, where I purchased the pavers.

In the paver patio situation, it was cheaper to buy than to make.

Stepping stones are sometimes referred to as garden stones, paving stones, or pathway stones.

Regardless of the term, they have one important objective to help get you from spot A to spot B.

How To Make A Concrete Patio More Attractive

Honestly, concrete is bland and unattractive in its raw form. Even so, one of the reasons people use it is because its durable. Over time as your patio ages, you may feel the need to remove it and get it hauled away. The removal process will also cost you money.

So instead of removing the concrete patio, you can try out the following to make your patio more attractive:

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Applying Concrete Stain Sealers

Concrete sealers come in 2 forms solvent and water based. When youre washing residue stain off and the slab is wet, this is what the finished product will look like if you sealed it with a solvent based sealer. When the slab dries and is still damp, this is what it will look like if you were to seal it with a water based sealer.

Its important to note that the color on the bottle does not tell you what the true color of your slab will turn out to be. This is because each slab contains different amounts of mineral salts and limestone deposits. The true color of the stain wont be revealed until the stain is completely dry and all remaining residue has been removed.

How To Make An Existing Sidewalk Look Like Flagstone

The Best Way to Patch Imperfections in Concrete

Prison-gray concrete sidewalks are boring. Fortunately, they don’t have to stay that way. You can transform an existing sidewalk into a welcoming faux flagstone walkway with paint, stain or dye and a few artistic touches. Not only does it cost less than flagstone to complete, but also it lets you have complete control over the color and style of the faux stones.

Don’t Miss: Build A Patio Kit

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