Coloring pink concrete block wall

[FakeName]

Let's pretend this is the exterior wall of my garage, thus making it relevant to GJ topics, ok?

I have a large concrete block retaining wall, built in the early 60s, and I'd like to change it's color to dark grey-brown. I don't want to use paint, as it creates a maintenance issue (repainting, etc) and I like the look and texture of the aggregate.

A trip to my local Sherwin-Williams resulted in the recommendation of a Rustoleum water-based semi-transparent concrete stain product that's applied with a garden sprayer:

http://rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=142

Obviously, I'm going to have a problem determining which color to use- the samples are applied to gray concrete, and I'm starting with pink. They don't sell samples, so I have to buy a gallon for $37 and test it. If it's not right, I repeat the process until I get the right tone.

Before I invest the time, energy and money in that process, I thought I should ask some concrete experts, and where is better than Garage Journal?

So, before I get all carried away:

Do you agree this is the right product?
Do you have another suggestion?


Thank you.

 

[dandan111]

I don't think you want the transparent,seems like I tried that once and it was ugly. You want a solid concrete stain. I used to stain my concrete slab patio,never looked very nice.

 

[andrewsnmorgan]

Why is the wall pink? Is there a current coating on it now?

 

[FakeName]

Nope. It's the color of the block.

 

[PAToyota]

Home Depot or Lowes - get some of the little containers of wood stain. Take the color sample sheet of the Rustoleum with you so that you can pick similar colors. It isn't what you want to do the actual wall with, but it will give you an idea of what the color will end up like. And for $37 you'll be able to buy quite a few samples to try.

 

[FakeName]

Home Depot or Lowes - get some of the little containers of wood stain. Take the color sample sheet of the Rustoleum with you so that you can pick similar colors. It isn't what you want to do the actual wall with, but it will give you an idea of what the color will end up like. And for $37 you'll be able to buy quite a few samples to try.

Excellent idea, thanks!

 

[Boomer343]

Have a look at www.dyebrick.com

We are changing the color of our brick using this product and they have quite an extensive color selection and you can control the depth of color you want. Shipping was quick. Check out the gallery photos.

 

[jhelrey]

I don't think stain will do it!

 

[brownbagg]

if the block has any amount of cement from mfg you could use an acid stain

 

[Jagmandave]

Do you want to keep the look of the block?

If not, you could stucco over it and there would be no maintenance to deal with. And you could make it any color you want permanently.

I built a small block retaining wall at my house in Sandy Eggo, stucco'd it to match the house, it still looks great 30 years later.

Seems to me any stain you do will need to be redone at some point in time, that's why people use colored block, so they won't have to ever redo it....

 

[shannonw]

I'd stucco it like the walkway, or paint...you're cali is paint maintenance really that bad there? I'm in florida and house paint on stucco,block last a long time! With only 50 feet and a sprayer (no trim to worry about) you'd what spend an hour or so every 10-15 years?

But looks like lots of stucco there, wouldn't be a bad choice.

 

[FakeName]

I considered stucco, specifically a smooth troweled texture. But there's other hardscape made of the same material- planters, etc, and it'd be a difficult job. Or maybe I'm just lazy.

Truth is, I like the texture/structure of the block.

The wall faces south and gets sun all day- I have to repaint that side of the house every two years or so. It wouldn't kill me to pump-spray some stain on it now and then, but I'd hate to paint it- don't like the look.