How to Stain an Outdoor Concrete Patio
If you are in search of ways to add a little pizazz to your backyard area, consider the surface that you are walking upon. Many people assume that concrete patios can only be gray and spartan in appearance. Or, while you may recognize that colored concretes exists, you might also think that it is too late once your patio is poured to change it. Concrete dyes are available in a variety of colors, and can be applied to the patio to create an entirely new look. This project is fairly easy to complete yourself. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Outdoor cleanser
- Water
- Stiff-bristled brush
- Protective clothing
- Plastic watering can
- Muriatic acid
- Garden hose
- Old broom or mop
- New broom
- Dustpan
- Concrete stain
- Paint pan
- Long-handled paint roller
Instructions
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1
Clean the entire patio thoroughly. Coat the patio with two parts of a non-residue outdoor cleanser mixed with one part of water. Scrub the concrete with a stiff-bristled brush to remove all dirt, debris and stains.
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2
Cover your feet with thick boots. Put on safety goggles and thick gloves. Place a paper mask or respirator over your nose and mouth.
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3
Mix together one part muriatic acid and four parts of plain water in a plastic watering can.
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4
Rinse the patio with a garden hose to remove any leftover cleaner. Make sure that the concrete is consistently damp.
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5
Carefully sprinkle the acid mixture onto the patio using the watering can. Watch the surface of the patio to ensure that the acid begins to bubble when it touches the concrete. Allow the acid mixture to sit for 20 to 30 minutes.
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6
Rinse the patio well with the garden hose again. Use an old broom or rough mop to remove all of the acid from the surface of the concrete. Allow the patio to dry for 48 to 72 hours.
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7
Use a broom and a dustpan to sweep the patio and remove any accumulated debris or concrete dust.
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8
Transfer the concrete stain to a plastic paint pan or other large reservoir. Load up the roll of a long-handled paint roller with stain. Apply the stain to the patio in long, straight lines. Work from the inside of the patio to the outside. Let the stain dry for 24 hours.
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Apply a second coat of stain, if needed.
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Tips & Warnings
Seal your stained patio with masonry sealant to keep it looking just as good.
Muriatic acid is very caustic. Always use precaution when handling it.
References
- Photo Credit concrete surface image by starush from Fotolia.com
