You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
The Ugliest Driveway Ever
- Thread starter XR80David
- Start date
AlphaGarage
Well-known member
Are the pine tree branches hanging over the driveway? Tree sap can do ugly things.
Nice garage front!
Nice garage front!
That could be expensive to fix. You might want to get a Jaguar XKE droptop, a 1968 Highland green Mustang GT, a Plymouth Super Bee, a Copo Camaro or a split window Vette, Dodge Viper, maybe a Ford GT to cover that up.
More on topic, I had a buddy that used a swimming pool cleaning acid to clean off his driveway before he stained it. It looked great and ate all the oil spots and leave stains off. Might want to check into a product like that.
More on topic, I had a buddy that used a swimming pool cleaning acid to clean off his driveway before he stained it. It looked great and ate all the oil spots and leave stains off. Might want to check into a product like that.
Hi all,
The pad is in its pressure washed state. In other words, I have already pressure washed it. However the PW was only 2200psi. Do you think if I get a 4000psi hot water unit It would clean it up better? Really, all it is, is some rust in the one area and then the rest is all water stains (the black stains). Do the water stains come off easily?
I think what I will do is clean up the rust with Muriatic Acid, pressure wash once more and then acid stain it... Anyone know of a the perfect acid stain for this driveway? Is the Rustoleuom Acid Stain Kit any good?
The pad is in its pressure washed state. In other words, I have already pressure washed it. However the PW was only 2200psi. Do you think if I get a 4000psi hot water unit It would clean it up better? Really, all it is, is some rust in the one area and then the rest is all water stains (the black stains). Do the water stains come off easily?
I think what I will do is clean up the rust with Muriatic Acid, pressure wash once more and then acid stain it... Anyone know of a the perfect acid stain for this driveway? Is the Rustoleuom Acid Stain Kit any good?
Are the pine tree branches hanging over the driveway? Tree sap can do ugly things.
Nice garage front!
Oh gosh, boy are they hanging over the driveway. I hate it. The tree sap isn't so bad this summer as it was last summer. For some reason this 'batch' of sap washes right off. My wife refuses having it trimmed back as she likes the shade. We did have it balanced out to maintain the tree but that is it. I've cut back on washing it off to ease up on any water stains and have been blowing it instead.
rinny_tin_tin
Well-known member
Hi all,
The pad is in its pressure washed state. In other words, I have already pressure washed it. However the PW was only 2200psi. Do you think if I get a 4000psi hot water unit It would clean it up better? Really, all it is, is some rust in the one area and then the rest is all water stains (the black stains). Do the water stains come off easily?
I think what I will do is clean up the rust with Muriatic Acid, pressure wash once more and then acid stain it... Anyone know of a the perfect acid stain for this driveway? Is the Rustoleuom Acid Stain Kit any good?
Try a Muriatric (Hydrochloric) Acid solution of 50/50 to water. Put it on for about 10 minutes, and then hose it off well. You can get the acid at Home Depot or a pool supply.
Look at the various concrete stains at you local contractor supply. You can get liquid wax-based concrete sealer in Titanium Dioxide (Super White). However, your driveway looks fine cept what appears to be a crack and maybe some small spalling. 4000 psi pressure washer is too strong and you can etch your name in the concrete if you are not careful.
WolverineCoatings
Well-known member
If you are planning on acid staining the concrete then you may need to rethink some of the advice you are being given here. The main thing is that you don't want to eat away the layer of concrete that the acid stain is going to react with. Many people have made this mistake and found out too late that you need to be careful.
We have developed some new acid stains and will be commercializing those soon. However, until we get that complete I would recommend using Kemiko... and NOTHING else. DON'T get the Rustoleum!!! You've got a challenging situation to make look even and balanced already. You don't want to take any chances by skimping on substandard concrete stains. Do it once... Do it right!
Then, there is nothing that beats AcryliSeal 3501 when it comes to bang for the buck... Slightly less performance than polyaspartics and dramatically less cost!
We have developed some new acid stains and will be commercializing those soon. However, until we get that complete I would recommend using Kemiko... and NOTHING else. DON'T get the Rustoleum!!! You've got a challenging situation to make look even and balanced already. You don't want to take any chances by skimping on substandard concrete stains. Do it once... Do it right!
Then, there is nothing that beats AcryliSeal 3501 when it comes to bang for the buck... Slightly less performance than polyaspartics and dramatically less cost!
If you are planning on acid staining the concrete then you may need to rethink some of the advice you are being given here. The main thing is that you don't want to eat away the layer of concrete that the acid stain is going to react with. Many people have made this mistake and found out too late that you need to be careful.
We have developed some new acid stains and will be commercializing those soon. However, until we get that complete I would recommend using Kemiko... and NOTHING else. DON'T get the Rustoleum!!! You've got a challenging situation to make look even and balanced already. You don't want to take any chances by skimping on substandard concrete stains. Do it once... Do it right!
Then, there is nothing that beats AcryliSeal 3501 when it comes to bang for the buck... Slightly less performance than polyaspartics and dramatically less cost!
So I should use the restoraclean 988 instead of the hydrochloric acid? I would be interested in making a deal with you for a complete kit... product to clean it, product to stain it, and product to clear coat it. Can you do that?
ripsnortMN
Well-known member
I have a dirt driveway. Do you want to trade?
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
I had rust spots on new concrete by accidently leaving the hose lay across where the connection was (we have real high iron content) I got a bottle of Iron Out, wet the sidewalk where the stain was, then sprinkled the Iron Out on the stain and left it for awhile. After I rinsed it, the stain was 90% gone.
As far as the pine needles and sap, I would seriously talk to the wife about getting rid of the trees or trimming them back. I had white pines around the perimeter of my property (almost 200 trees total) that were 20-30 ft. tall. The mess was awful when they shed the needles every year. We decided to start cutting them down as a few got infected with "brown disease". Not only did it clear up a huge mess, or mosquito population went down drastically. And not only the mosquitoes, but the English Sparrows that built the garbage nest, run the other decent birds off, and the bird **** that was always all over the place. get rid of the pines and replace with some nice shade trees.
As far as the pine needles and sap, I would seriously talk to the wife about getting rid of the trees or trimming them back. I had white pines around the perimeter of my property (almost 200 trees total) that were 20-30 ft. tall. The mess was awful when they shed the needles every year. We decided to start cutting them down as a few got infected with "brown disease". Not only did it clear up a huge mess, or mosquito population went down drastically. And not only the mosquitoes, but the English Sparrows that built the garbage nest, run the other decent birds off, and the bird **** that was always all over the place. get rid of the pines and replace with some nice shade trees.
I have a dirt driveway. Do you want to trade?
Sure, then I can do a re-pour the way I want it!
Griot's Garage
Well-known member
Here are my recommendations...
Start by cleaning the entire driveway with Concrete Brightener. Here is the product description, which is pretty clear on what it does.
"Concrete Brightener is a biodegradable liquid, heavy-duty alkaline cleaner and degreaser. It's safe and effective on concrete, marble, tile, terrazzo and asphalt surfaces. The deep penetrating solution dissolves and loosens greases and oils, quickly releasing their hold, cleaning and brightening the treated area. Pour it on, aggravate, keep wet, aggravate some more and then hose it off."
After you have done the entire driveway witht he Concrete Brightener, follow up with the Concrete Stain and Rust Remover for spot treatment. Based on the pictures, you should probably only need this in some of the areas where the rust it heavier.
The product descriptions is self explanitory for this one as well.
"Concrete Stain & Rust Remover safely removes rust, oil, engine, transmission and radiator fluid stains from concrete. A powerful cleaner that quickly penetrates and dissolves stubborn stains. Caution: Concrete Stain & Rust Remover is not intended to be used as a total driveway cleaner but as a follow up to Concrete Brightener for use on stubborn stains. The aggressive chemical action works instantly so treat areas for only a few seconds and neutralize with water immediately to prevent bleaching or whitening."
-Derek
Start by cleaning the entire driveway with Concrete Brightener. Here is the product description, which is pretty clear on what it does.
"Concrete Brightener is a biodegradable liquid, heavy-duty alkaline cleaner and degreaser. It's safe and effective on concrete, marble, tile, terrazzo and asphalt surfaces. The deep penetrating solution dissolves and loosens greases and oils, quickly releasing their hold, cleaning and brightening the treated area. Pour it on, aggravate, keep wet, aggravate some more and then hose it off."
After you have done the entire driveway witht he Concrete Brightener, follow up with the Concrete Stain and Rust Remover for spot treatment. Based on the pictures, you should probably only need this in some of the areas where the rust it heavier.
The product descriptions is self explanitory for this one as well.
"Concrete Stain & Rust Remover safely removes rust, oil, engine, transmission and radiator fluid stains from concrete. A powerful cleaner that quickly penetrates and dissolves stubborn stains. Caution: Concrete Stain & Rust Remover is not intended to be used as a total driveway cleaner but as a follow up to Concrete Brightener for use on stubborn stains. The aggressive chemical action works instantly so treat areas for only a few seconds and neutralize with water immediately to prevent bleaching or whitening."
-Derek
Last edited: