Things You'll Need
Liquid dish soap
Water
Bucket
Scrub brush or broom
Concrete provides the support for decks, patios, walkways, walls and floors, and the dull gray color of the material may feel stifling to some. For this reason, stamped concrete allows homeowners or installers to add color and texture to the concrete, creating a new look for the surface. During the stamping process, installers use a liquid or powdered release agent to stop the stamps from sticking to or scratching the concrete surface. You must then clean this release agent from the surface after stamping to achieve a finished, uniform look.
Step 1
Mix liquid dish soap and hot water in a bucket until the mixture forms suds.
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Step 2
Soak the bristles of a scrub brush or push broom in the soapy water and use it to scrub the surface until it is clean. You must remove at least 75 percent of the release agent from the surface. Leaving a small amount on the surface will cause no harm, as long as it does not ruin the color.
Step 3
Rinse the surface with a hose or with the scrub brush soaked in clean warm water to remove residual soap suds. Allow the surface to air dry.
Tip
Clean the release agent off the stamped concrete after allowing the surface to dry for at least 24 hours, but no more than three days after application.
If you find yourself having trouble removing the release agent, try mixing ½ cup of trisodium phosphate cleaner in 1 gallon of warm water for a cleaning solution. This is an acidic solution and should only be used in small amounts and if absolutely necessary.
Warning
You can also use a pressure washer to clean release agent from the concrete surface, but these tools should only be used by people with experience using these tools. Used incorrectly, a pressure washer can damage concrete.
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