Driveway Powerwashing Error

[peterso2]

Hi All,
I thought I would be doing a good job on my concrete driveway to powerwash it. I used the Green Head which had the 15 degree spray but then used the Jet head when I was cleaning spray paint off a paver brick. This kicked up some rocks and I proceeded to kinda go over the concrete to push them off with this Jet Head. The pressure washer is 2800 PSI. Apparently the concrete did not like this and ended up with some gray marks. (it looks terrible because they zig-zag everywhere I went). It looks like it etched it. Is this something that might gradually fade with time? Is there any benefit in using the 15 deg tip and feathering it? Or is there any alternatives I can do to make it look better? Currently it looks pretty awful, and I regret it,

I learned a huge lesson here. Pretty Bummed as I was trying to do something good and didnt think this would have enough pressure to do something. I wasn't exactly blasting it in to the concrete when I was using the jet but apparently 2800 PSI is strong.

Thanks for your help

 

[btdobie]

I'm sure one of the concrete guys here will have better advice, but If you really wanted to get rid of it, I think you'd have to grind the whole thing down. I don't know if an acid etch would help at all.

 

[DocRock]

The concrete looks to be relatively new. I don't think you need to worry. I expect it will weather to disappear. I've had similar on asphalt.

Sent from my SM-T320 using Tapatalk

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Yes it will loose the look as dirt builds up overtime. You can get a rotating surface attachment for the power washer that will make it easier to do an even cleaning.

 

[btdobie]

I read a similar thread a while ago about a paver patio and the guy just flipped over the affected pavers. Maybe you should just flip your driveway over.

 

[ford33]

I did something similar to this on my one year old sidewalk. A year later you can't even see the marks. Dirt and the sun have taken care of the issue.

 

[LXCam]

The color of it will bleach out over time. But where you blew the cream off will always show. One thing about it, you'll never have a slip hazard if it's just wet. But if you live in a dusty climate, you're cuss it forever.

 

[MagKarl]

I'd probably try to go over it again and feather it out to blend better.

 

[Trey T]

Yes it will loose the look as dirt builds up overtime. You can get a rotating surface attachment for the power washer that will make it easier to do an even cleaning.

yup, that's what I use. You can get a commercial style on Northern Tools for $120.

 

[JerryC]

yup, that's what I use. You can get a commercial style on Northern Tools for $120.

I used the $69 EZ Clean surface cleaner from HD to good effect. It was about 2-3x faster than a turbo nozzle and 10x faster than a regular tip.

 

[rsanter]

Leave the concrete driveway out in the sun.
Dirt, sun and a little age will even that right out.
I have gotten that effect a number of times and it always goes away.

Bob

 

[LXCam]

Leave the concrete driveway out in the sun. Bob

I don't know Bob, I'm thinking it might be best if he tucked it in at night. Maybe the spare bedroom is large enough?.

 

[Ron_CA]

I did the same thing on pavers. Never went away.

 

[Zeke]

I paused on posting on this but I think a some mild acid is in the cards here. However, you would be roughing up the overall surface. That may not be what you desire. It's kinda of a Catch 22.

 

[risc]

Feather it out with the 15deg tip and you'll probably be the only one that will ever notice.

 

[UpstateNY]

Jackhammer that ***** up and re-pour !!!

or

Wait 30 days and it'll clear up by itself.

 

[southalabama]

I'm with the feather it out crowd. It will camouflage it so others won't see it. Sorry but you'll always see it. I've got places in my building that only I see. Dad has painted a couple cars. Unless he told you where the defect was you'd never see it. It was the only thing he saw when he looked at it.

I'd leave acid wash to a concrete guy and try that as my next step if feathering out doesn't suit you.

 

[c39er]

I'd worry about something worthwhile myself.

 

[ddawg16]

I'd worry about something worthwhile myself.

Kinda my feeling as well.....

 

[cdestuck]

Lowes sells the rotating attachment for pressure washers. $69. Their great, speeds up the job and might poss clear this up

 

[peterso2]

Thanks for the replies guys.
This is one snapshot of the mess, it extends into multiple areas, and yes does look pretty awful....

I will try featering and I do know someone with the EZ surface cleaner, I will try that soon and post results and better pictures soon.

Thanks
Jason

 

[twoton]

I'd worry about something worthwhile myself.

Solid advice. Last summer I had a concrete driveway poured and my neighbors tiny dog got out of their yard and walked through the edge of it while it was setting. Super angry at the time but the weather and sun has made it much less visible. As important as it was at the time that my freshly poured concrete was ruined I rarely think about it now.

 

[crepr12]

be there and done that..it will fade away/fill in...

 

[zktk01]

Get you some portland cement into a bucket and mix water until it's like a paint consistency and paint it on cover the whole driveway will look like new again.