What are my cheapest possibilites here?

[XR80David]

Here is my latest issue.

The picture attached is from when the cement was new and it has since gotten spotted and tree sap has dripped onto it. However, I have gotten some of the tree sap off. My question is, what is my cheapest bet for decorating the cement and/or restoring the cement to its original condition?

Cheapest meaning the best I can get out of it for the buck with having a Pro do it or something DIY.

I need some serious inquiries here as my wife really has been bugging me about the ugliness of the cement.

Thanks all!

 

[ddawg16]

Pressure wash it real well....then after it drys, slap down some sealer....there several types out there....some even give your concrete that continous wet look....

It will make it easier to keep clean....but it won't hid ugly concrete....

Idle thought.....I wonder if you can add color to the stone sealer products? mmmmmmmmm

 

[XR80David]

Pressure wash it real well....then after it drys, slap down some sealer....there several types out there....some even give your concrete that continous wet look....

It will make it easier to keep clean....but it won't hid ugly concrete....

Idle thought.....I wonder if you can add color to the stone sealer products? mmmmmmmmm

You know that is all I want... A few spots here and there don't bother me but as long as it has that "washed off" look to it I will be happy... I was thinking the same thing, can you add color additive to sealer?

Thanks DDawg

 

[timgr]

There have been several threads about concrete stain here - the brand I remember is H&C http://www.hcconcrete.com/index.asp

 

[menz300]

I would suggest something in an acid stain or to be more earth friendly use a water based stain. Have to be careful on color selection as some greens and blues turn really dark when exposed to UV rays. Looking at that pic I already have a couple ideas I would suggest as decorative ideas especially with you already having a brick border.

 

[XR80David]

I would suggest something in an acid stain or to be more earth friendly use a water based stain. Have to be careful on color selection as some greens and blues turn really dark when exposed to UV rays. Looking at that pic I already have a couple ideas I would suggest as decorative ideas especially with you already having a brick border.

What are your ideas?

 

[PurdueSD]

A pressure wash evry year or two will clean it up to look like new if you dont want to seal it. Should take about 2 hours to do what you have pictured.

 

[XR80David]

A pressure wash evry year or two will clean it up to look like new if you dont want to seal it. Should take about 2 hours to do what you have pictured.

I don't know if it is my pressure washer or not but it just won't do much to this cement pad . I don't know if I let it get too out of hand or what.

But today I did pressure wash out all of the expansion joints and getting the surface sound for any type of sealer/stain I might choose to do. Honestly, I just want to get rid of the marks and give it that wet look and a little color.

What type of cleaner should I be using with my pressure washer. I do not have soap injection on my pressure washer but wouldn't mind investing in one.

 

[SC-Eric]

Hi David,

Our AcryliSeal 3401 or 3501 will give you the 'wet look' at a value price. Have you tried using solvent to scrub the sap up? Many of the 'tar' removers for details cars are nothing but a blend of organic solvents like VM&P Naptha, Aromatic 100, etc... For concrete you might try something more aggressive like MEK... or Acetone (although it evaporates too fast).

 

[XR80David]

Hi David,

Our AcryliSeal 3401 or 3501 will give you the 'wet look' at a value price. Have you tried using solvent to scrub the sap up? Many of the 'tar' removers for details cars are nothing but a blend of organic solvents like VM&P Naptha, Aromatic 100, etc... For concrete you might try something more aggressive like MEK... or Acetone (although it evaporates too fast).

I Pm'd you just now... Thanks

 

[SC-Eric]

You have to pick the colors yourself... or... did you hire a designer?

What you've got:

What Eric would do:

 

[XR80David]

You have to pick the colors yourself... or... did you hire a designer?

What you've got:

What Eric would do:

Hey thanks dude! Thats perfect. Can we make it look wet at the same time?

 

[CycloneISU]

Anyone else think stamped concrete when they first saw this house?

 

[XR80David]

Anyone else think stamped concrete when they first saw this house?

I wish I could. Too late to stamp.

 

[premierguy]

The Ashlar BlueStone (2nd from top left) looks kinda of cool.... perhaps with bit more chocalate.


What is anyones guess on the square footage there? I'm guessing 1850 square excluding the patio.

 

[XR80David]

The Ashlar BlueStone (2nd from top left) looks kinda of cool.... perhaps with bit more chocalate.


What is anyones guess on the square footage there? I'm guessing 1850 square excluding the patio.

It is around 1650sqft. Good guess.

 

[premierguy]

Anyone have a guess on a decent price for a stamped overlay including the porch?

How about some alternative methods to help the Mr. and Mrs. keep their relationship at ease?


Stayed tuned... I have Mid-August job that will behoove me to call it "Green Savings" as my second entry in the August "X-Coating Challenge I."

 

[Kevin54]

Whatever you do, if you get it cleaned, I would cut the pine tree down. If you don't it will be the same year after year. Pine sap is about one of the toughest to get off that there is. To remove the sap from the drive, I would get some concentrated Simple Green and a stiff brush on a long handle. Power wash the drive first to remove what you can, then use the Simple Green and stiff brush, let it set for a little while, then power wash again. Concentrated Simple Green is some powerful stuff. I know that on some of the machines at work (older machines) it will start to remove paint. I bought some through Grainger a few years ago and at that time it was right at $50 / 5 gal. And 5 gallons of concentrate would last years.

 

[tojan19]

Castol Super Clean strait up will remove sap very well. My parents old house was surrounded my dozens of pine trees. I used it all the time to get sap off my truck. Only thing that would work. Always had to rewax where it was used though.