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Need Help, Blanket marks ALL over new patio
Jim2078	05-10-2008 15:55:48
Member Posts: 2 Joined: 05-10-2008	From what I have read, It sounds like I'm SOL for removing these stains. So my question is, What to to next. It is a light brown colored concrete. (not sealed yet). What is the best looking & longest lasting coloring/tinting/sealing application I can have done to give it a more natural look. Thanks in advance for any help.

goodsonkd	05-12-2008 04:13:16
Member Posts: 91 Joined: 12-25-2007	One way to help blend the areas in is get mineral spirits and mix a 1/3 of a cup of the same color release powder you used to stamp. Flood surface and let dry then seal, this should help blend in the areas. Try a test patch first. Remember to constantly shake the mixture in your sprayer to keep release from settling out of the solvent. "You are right about the downside to blankets. No matter how hard you try to pull them tight and smooth over the concrete surface, you always end up with wrinkles and creases that can trap moisture, resulting in permanent water stains. These stains are barely noticeable on plain gray concrete, but can be major eyesores on stamped and colored concrete. A trick that has worked well on past projects is to use a powdered release agent to create a waterproof shield over the concrete surface. After completing all the stamping and detail work, and right before placing the blankets over the concrete, apply a medium to heavy dusting of release powder over the entire surface. Release powder has hydrophobic properties, so it repels water. However, the powder acts as a one-way water shield: It will allow the warm water vapor rising out of the curing concrete to pass through, but once the vapor condenses into a liquid, it won’t be able to pass back through the layer of release powder. This eliminates or greatly reduces water stains created from curing with blankets (or from using plastic sheets to protect the freshly placed concrete). If you prefer to stamp with a liquid release agent, you can still use this method. Wait until the liquid release has evaporated, and then liberally dust the surface with a colorless release powder right before putting down the blankets. For best results, remove any condensed water that forms underneath the blankets after 12 to 24 hours. Reapply release powder and blankets as needed until the concrete has cured or the temperature warms up. After a minimum of 72 hours, remove the release powder by scrubbing it off with a broom and a simple soap and water solution. A power washer, at low pressure, can also be used."--J. Sullivan Kirk---Dec-a-Crete

Jim2078	05-15-2008 17:11:28
Member Posts: 2 Joined: 05-10-2008	I am the homeowner. The contractor did not use a color release powder when stamping. He ordered colored concrete and was planing to add a 2nd color in the sealer. What would be the best process to achieve a long lasting good look? Any ideas on products, types of colors, mixing ratios, application etc. He was planning on spraying it on with the sealer. The patio is approx 10 weeks old & no sealer has been put on yet. (The photo I took was with the the patio wet) to highlight the problem. My worry is that it will show with just plain sealer installed. Thanks in advance for any help

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