How to Stamp a Concrete Driveway

Stamped Concrete

Concrete is a versatile product. It is highly durable and functional. One of the many ways to enhance the look of your plain concrete driver is by adding a stamping technique. Give it a face-lift by using bricks or flagstone stamp designs. You can stamp on fresh concrete or pre-existing concrete installations. Add stains or colors to mimic the colors of the stone patterns as you see them in their natural state. After finishing this product, you will be amazed at how much improvement it gives on your curb appeal.

Things You'll Need

• Hose
• Concrete
• Concrete mixer
• Shovel
• Wood or metal float
• Color hardener powder
• Color release agent
• Fresno or steel trowel
• Concrete stamp mats
• Hand tamper
• Pressure washer
• Concrete sealer
• Paint roller

Instructions

1. Clean the surface of your existing concrete driveway. Spray it with water by using a garden hose. By eliminating pebbles and other debris, you will have a smoother finish in the end. Dry it thoroughly before pouring fresh concrete on top.

2. Mix the concrete using a concrete mixer. Prepare enough to cover the surface of your existing concrete driveway with about an inch thick of concrete.

3. Pour the inch-thick thin layer of concrete over the existing concrete driveway. Start from the area closest to the garage door or entrance and move down to the front area of the driveway.

4. Smooth the surface by using a float. The float will also help remove the excess water on top of the concrete.

5. Let it dry long enough for it to hold its form but not too long that it will not take the stamp design.

6. Apply color hardener powder using the broadcast method. Apply by spreading the powder with a wide sweeping arm movement to cover as much concrete as possible with each throw. The absorption of the hardener should take several minutes.

7. Work the color in by using a wood or magnesium float. Use just one pass with the float avoiding overworking the concrete. Repeat adding more color in areas where the natural color of concrete still shows.

8. Finish with a steel trowel.

9. Apply a color release agent. To calculate per 100 square feet of concrete, you would need about 3.5 lbs of release agent. The release agent helps prevent the stamping mats from sticking onto freshly laid concrete, so it is important not to skip this step. Make sure to use the color that would complement the color of the concrete.

10. Start stamping. Choose a stamp pattern that would suit the overall style of your home's exterior. Be quick when applying texture using mats or stamps so that the concrete will get a good impression of design. Press the mats harder by stomping or using a hand tamper to press the design on the concrete. Do not over tamp.

11. Follow the pattern when applying the stamp design. Ensure that the design has a seamless flow and would look as natural as possible. Ensure that the seams and grout line match so that it will look seamless.

12. Allow the concrete to set initially for 24 hours.

13. Use a pressure washer to remove the excess release agent. Apply water pressure no stronger than 3000 psi. Be careful not to damage the concrete. Make sure to reach the grout lines, where some excess release agents maybe concentrated.

14. Allow to dry for a few hours.

15. Apply a concrete sealer. Use a roller to apply the sealer throughout the surface and grout lines.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask for assistance to speed up the process before the concrete dries. Assign someone tasks based on the steps provided above.

Resources

• Decorative Concrete