| Author | Content |
coralbean
Summerville, SC
(Zone 8a)
February 10, 2006
10:28 PM Post #2036571
| I loathe my concrete patio and am wondering if acid staining it might be a good idea. Anyone had good luck with staining older concrete? It does have some aggregate coming to the surface, and from my little bit of web research, this may not work. Is it a do-it-yourself project or should I call a contractor? |
maciassk
Cibolo, TX
February 18, 2006
10:30 AM Post #2053349
| Call a contractor--but then, that's what we did! Didn't look into doing it ourselves because we wanted the appearance of large tiles and getting the lines perfectly straight with the grinder/line cutter machine was important. Our concrete was about a year old and had been brush-finished originally so we didn't get the smooth, glossy finish we would have preferred. The stain color didn't take evenly--a few patches are significantly lighter or darker apparently because of some chemical in or on the concrete, possibly from stuff spilled on it during the year or just from changes in the concrete as it "cured" during the year. The final appearance is big improvement over the plain concrete brushed finish even with the odd color variations and flat (rather than shiny) finish. |
SalemSunshine
Salem, OR
(Zone 8a)
March 1, 2006
10:37 PM Post #2080614
| I saw this really cool thing on curb appeal on HGTV, called a concrete overlay.
They overlayed terra-cotta colored concrete in a thin layer over the old ugly gray.
It looked fantastic on TV.
Check out this site: [HYPERLINK@www.decorative-concrete.net]
I also have an ugly concrete porch that the previous owner had astro-turfed. {sigh}
One day, I will do something with it.
This message was edited Mar 1, 2006 7:39 PM |
JasperDale
Long Beach, CA
(Zone 10a)
May 17, 2006
12:36 AM Post #2288035
| I recently bought one of those 3 pc. concrete benches. Two bases and a flat plank seat.
It is just the plain, no design type from Lowes.
I want to stain it a color because it looks very unattractive as plain gray concrete. It will be used as a bench in front of a semi ornate concrete fountain with a lion face motif on the base.
I don't care if the finish comes out "perfect'.. in fact would rather it didn't. I plan to plant Irish and Scotch moss around/under it and make a garden in front of it.
Does anyone have any experience staining these benches? I do not want "paint"...stain would be better.
Is there a special stain for concrete...or would regular wood stain work?
Any ideas or names of products would be great. Thanks!
JD
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ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
May 17, 2006
9:13 AM Post #2288720
| There is special stain for concrete, don't use wood stain. I don't know brands but if you go to your local home center they can steer you in the right direction. |
JasperDale
Long Beach, CA
(Zone 10a)
May 17, 2006
12:08 PM Post #2289232
| Thanks,ecrane...I guess HD would have it...I just figured it was a specialty item the average person couldn't buy...I'll look into it ! |
tgmolinaro
Chicago, IL
May 25, 2006
8:30 AM Post #2315667
| I, too, hated my old concrete on the front porch and back stoop of my home. I got 16"x16" terracotta-look, stamped pavers from HD and "tiled" my porches and front stairs. Looks great! Had it for two years now in the elements (we get a lot of snow here in Chicago) and I'm very happy with how it's holding up. |
sticks_n_stones
Crosbyton, TX
(Zone 7a)
May 26, 2006
11:54 PM Post #2321341
| tgmolinaro...does that mean you painted your concrete??...what is the product called that you used?? |
tgmolinaro
Chicago, IL
May 29, 2006
11:51 AM Post #2328242
| To Sticks_n_stones: No painting! That's why this was so easy and the transformation was huge! I simply laid down the pavers right over my concrete. Because I have some over-hang on the stairs I used a quick-set mortar that I used in another tiling project. |
JoieM
Portland, OR
(Zone 8a)
May 30, 2006
12:11 AM Post #2330497
| We'd like to do something like that...do you have any pictures? |
tgmolinaro
Chicago, IL
June 6, 2006
2:41 PM Post #2358879
| Here it is. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
sticks_n_stones
Crosbyton, TX
(Zone 7a)
June 6, 2006
2:49 PM Post #2358902
| that is gorgeous!!!...that is actual blocks that you set on your concrete porch correct??
problem with my stuff is that my area that i want to use is curved...how did you get the size to work out perfectly?? |
tgmolinaro
Chicago, IL
June 6, 2006
7:03 PM Post #2359796
| Thanks! Everyone around here thought I was crazy! 16 in. wide x 4 blocks - it just worked out. I did have to chip off around the railing poles to make it fit. There are curved pavers that you can use in your situation or just pick something that is small that you can manipulate in your space - kind of like a mosaic effect. |
sticks_n_stones
Crosbyton, TX
(Zone 7a)
June 6, 2006
8:11 PM Post #2360019
| did you use any adhesive or anything ?? and have you looked at the concrete underneath to see if the concrete is being damaged?? |
tgmolinaro
Chicago, IL
June 7, 2006
11:13 AM Post #2362224
| Yes, and yes. I used quick-set mortar that I had from another tiling project to cement the pavers down. To remove I used a flat-head screwdriver and a hammer and gently tapped until I loosened a stone that I wanted to reposition. I suppose that if I really wanted to clean up the concrete I could've - but it would have taken some work. Remember, I did this to cover my ugly cement for good. |
sticks_n_stones
Crosbyton, TX
(Zone 7a)
June 7, 2006
12:11 PM Post #2362422
| well i had thought about doing something like that...and i still might do something like that...thanks:) |
tgmolinaro
Chicago, IL
June 8, 2006
7:06 AM Post #2365592
| Also...I was using 16x16 pavers. The stones I placed on a flat surface I didn't have to cement down at all. I cemented the stones on the stairs for safety reasons. |
OutsidePlaying
Laceys Spring, AL
(Zone 7a)
June 20, 2006
10:16 AM Post #2411939
| A bit off the patio staining topic, but to answer JasperDale's question...
To give new concrete items (your bench, birdbaths, planters, etc) an aged look, people around here use cow manure. That's the real stuff, not the kind you buy in a bag. Using gloves, you smear it on, then cover with plastic and let it sit for several days. Then remove the plastic and hose off the remainder. Instant aging.
As for concrete patios, there is a technique (professionally applied) called Resiflex. It's a think layer applied directly over concrete that is colored with paint tint. Any pattern (or solid) can be used. Here is a photo of our back porch. It was concrete with brick edging so we couldn't use anything with thickness. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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JasperDale
Long Beach, CA
(Zone 10a)
June 20, 2006
8:46 PM Post #2414054
| WOW!!! That's amazing. It looks like real tile and the pattern is flawless.!!!! Did you do it yourself or did you have it done??? I will look up that product.
Seeing as how there isn't a real cow around here for miles, what will happen if I use the bagged manure ? I didn't know the stuff in bags wasn't the "real thing"!!! If it's not the real thing, then what is it??? LOL
Have us city people been duped all these years by faux manure???
Thanks for the tip!
JD |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
June 20, 2006
8:53 PM Post #2414075
| Do you have a website for the Resiflex stuff? I googled it and didn't find anything that looked like a concrete coating. |
JasperDale
Long Beach, CA
(Zone 10a)
June 20, 2006
11:09 PM Post #2414659
| I tried it too and came up empty handed... |
OutsidePlaying
Laceys Spring, AL
(Zone 7a)
June 21, 2006
9:05 AM Post #2415597
| I had a local guy do the Resiflex. I'm posting the link to his website, so maybe you can get a little more info from that. But I will call him and see if there is a website that you folks can go to for nationwide info.
The bagged cow manure is the same thing just composted. And don't they 'sterilize' it somehow to sell it commercially? I still use it too for convenience, and it doesn't have quite the aroma either. Around here it's around $1-2 per bag, so it would certainly be worth trying if you can't get the real thing.
[HYPERLINK@www.flohrcoatings.com]
And yes, his real last name is Flohr (pronounced floor). |
sticks_n_stones
Crosbyton, TX
(Zone 7a)
June 21, 2006
1:39 PM Post #2416660
| if you find a source for that resiflex, can you please post it...thank you:) |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
June 21, 2006
10:28 PM Post #2418517
| If he doesn't distribute it nationwide yet, he should really think about doing it--that look is very nice and seems easier than some of the other concrete coatings out there if you don't want to add a ton of height to your surface but want to make your tired old concrete look nice again! |
gawolf
Katy, TX
July 26, 2006
11:40 PM Post #2553459
| JasperDale, I too have a concrete bench in my back yard I tried staining. I used a concrete stain and it has held fine on the 2 concrete legs, however the bench piece was completely smooth when I stained it and it now has started flaking (about 6 weeks). I am sure I should have somehow treated the smooth benchtop prior to staining but am not sure what I should have used. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? thanks. |
ghia_girl
Wichita, KS
(Zone 6a)
July 27, 2006
9:05 AM Post #2554234
| A friend of mine stained the concrete around her pool. She went to Lowes, got concrete stain, and rolled it on. I did not come out even, however it looks like colored concrete. Nothing fancy. It was an improvement. I'll try to get pics, so I can post them. |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
July 27, 2006
2:07 PM Post #2555295
| If your concrete is sealed it won't take the stain well--supposedly you can tell if it's sealed or not by dropping water on it, if it soaks in then it's not sealed but if it stays on top then it is. I think to get rid of the sealer you have to etch the concrete by washing with acid--not my idea of a fun project but I think they should sell the stuff you need at most home centers. |
DustyDS
Urbana, OH
(Zone 6a)
July 31, 2006
11:58 AM Post #2570565
| The concrete Bench part should be washed down with Muratic acid... the same stuff you use in swimming pools..
Put the top in a shady location that wont be damaged underneath and I propped mine on 2 concrete building blocks..Slosh on the acid with a paint brush, and let it sit for about 20-30 minutes, reapplying once midway... then hose it off carefully avoiding splattering the water..Let dry for at least 24 hrs and then stain it..
Dusty |
anastatia
Vancouver, WA
(Zone 8a)
August 2, 2006
10:57 AM Post #2578455
| I stained our old patio concrete several years ago. 1st we used a cleaner and something called etching to get the concrete ready for the stain. It was a process. If I had the cash I would have something done professionally. It is now getting stains again from food and I will do it again next summer. I went to Sherwin-Williams for instructions and supplies. |
TexasNewbie
New Braunfels, TX
August 8, 2006
11:09 AM Post #2599451
| I see a lot of messages about old/boring concrete and I have the same problem. The concrete is 2 years old and I'd love to do something to it to make it look more "lively"? It's my patio, most of it is covered, however, we do get water on it when we get the torrential rain storms so popular in TX. I'm still new to TX, and the only elements I've encountered so far are extreme heat, humidiy and heavy downpours. I'd love to get peoples advice on what to do to my patio floor and I'm only interested in "easy" jobs lol. Fast fix so to speak. I could hire someone, but am into the "diy" thing and take pride in what I've done (if it turns out nice) |
Bettypauze
Victoria Harbour, ON
(Zone 5b)
August 15, 2006
10:57 AM Post #2624443
| Texas Newbie...well, being on my own and middle aged, I take on projects that a lot of men would not do...when they say decorating on a dime, I REALLY DO decorate on a dime ...here's what I did and it looks great...rocks/rocks/rocks
First I basecoated the floor with mid color grey cement paint (not high gloss as the next step will be more difficult) let it dry for a week or so, then I went and purchased complimentary colors 4 or 5 in total i.e. mid grey, black, light grey, green, rust /brown etc.
taking a sponge brush I took dark grey and starting in a corner I created rocks - once the first rock was painted - I then created a second etc.etc. making them interlocking and leaving approx 1/4 to 1/2 inch grout line...now the grout line is actually your base color- to make things easier on my back I would do about 20 slate rocks and let dry..you can do more though...then I got paper plates and put a color on each and purchased a round pouncer brush...I took a bit of each color and pounced them together creating only a slightly mottled look trying to keep darkness i.e. black and or brown to one edge and lighter grey tones to other edge - that gives each rock dimension
Then to give more dimension I purchased an angle brush 1 - 1 1/2" (purchased at a craft store - Michaels' and went back reinforcing darker shades and lighter shades on each rock...I continued this process until my area was completely faux rocked...purchased a good finish -urethane or varathane and voila
Always makes me laugh when I get company, they all kneel and feel the rock as to determine if it's real or not...soooo must have done a good job...all total I think it cost me about $150 to do an area approx. 15' x 20' and the best part is my little containers of paint are waiting should one of them need a repair job...
good luck...something you can do without much talent... |
DustyDS
Urbana, OH
(Zone 6a)
August 15, 2006
11:05 AM Post #2624469
| Okay Betty.. we need to see Pics of that floor !! LOL
Sounds beautiful... |
sticks_n_stones
Crosbyton, TX
(Zone 7a)
August 15, 2006
11:36 AM Post #2624562
| send pics...send pics...send pics!!! |
Bettypauze
Victoria Harbour, ON
(Zone 5b)
August 15, 2006
12:11 PM Post #2624695
| will do...I'm at work today but when I get home I'll search my photo's and send some..did same thing in my rec room and did my mom's florida room last fall and I think I have those pictures...so I'll try and post them tmr. if I can..never posted pictures before sooooo it will be a challenge...project just takes man hours...what you come up with is amazing...
thanks for your comments
|
claypa
West Pottsgrove, PA
(Zone 6b)
August 15, 2006
12:21 PM Post #2624748
| I think you could do faux tiles this way, too. Masking tape comes in narrow widths and you could mask off 'grout lines' like what Outsideplaying's post showed above. Just a thought... |
snapple45
Holland, OH
(Zone 5b)
September 21, 2006
3:59 PM Post #2746441
| A little late to the party here but had to laugh right out loud when I saw the question about how to stain concrete. Just call my hubby. He can't seem to avoid staining our concrete driveway with something. Brake fluid provides a mottled charcoal pattern, motorcycle oil gives a nice black sheen with a spattered look, white wall tire cleaner gives an unusual light pearl sheen and then there is always the rusty look from the rebar he forgot. With the exception of the light pearl sheen from the white wall tire cleaner all are removable with some scrubbing with various chemicals. The white wall tire cleaner look is forever apparently. |
OutsidePlaying
Laceys Spring, AL
(Zone 7a)
December 13, 2006
9:13 AM Post #2995322
| Coralbean and others. Sorry it took me so long to get back to you on this. I posted the picture above with the Resiflex surface applied over concrete. I e-mailed the young man who did ours and asked him about this technique being used in other areas of the country. I'm going to copy and paste his response to me here:
"Glad to hear you are enjoying your patio. I have had many requests over the years to apply Resiflex in other parts of the country.
Unfortunately, because we manufacture Resiflex ourselves, it is only currently available in North Alabama.
For something similar, I would suggest looking for decorative concrete resurfacing companies in the area. A good national website for finding contractors is [HYPERLINK@www.concretenetwork.com.] Resiflex can also be referred to as a "polymer modified cement". Feel free to call or email me any questions about what they find.
Thanks,
Dan Flohr" - end quoted message
Dan's e-mail is [e-mail:danflohr@flohrcoatings.com], and his website is [HYPERLINK@www.flohrcoatings.com.]
Good luck. And yes, his real last name is pronounced 'floor'.
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