Can you enhance stamped concrete?

[alazo1]

This is exterior. The homeowner never liked it. I thought a clean and enhance would give it new life. Would an enhancer make a dramatic difference as it would in slate?. How long will the enhancer hold up in an outdoor environment?. There is a swimming pool in an area so it will get the chemicals from it.

Albert

 

[floorguy]

did it already have a seal put on it???

if so how long ago??

outdoors almost anything is going to wear off after a while..

oh also do they walk on it? or is it like decorative curbing?

 

[alazo1]

Doug, it's pretty much the whole backyard so they do walk on it. They've been in the house for 3 years and it was there when they bought it. Homeowners don't know if it's been sealed. If it has been sealed it definitely is not a topical as it looks flat.

Any idea if enhancer wears to be blotchy or does it all loose it's deep color uniformly due to the elements?.

Albert

 

[floorguy]

both actually...

you will always have wear patterns/issues

can you take some pics???

also do a water/solvent test

find somewhere and pour a little water and like MEK or acetone to see if it repels it or not..

if it beads, then you will have problems...if it sucks in like normal concrete then you should be fine..

 

[Magic Al]

Floorguy had it right. First you have to know if there is sealer on it or not.

If not, then there are few NEW things that you can use.

First, a Consolidator is in order. This hardens the concrete and if it is a salt water pool helps retard the damage from the salt.

Second, a Color Enhancer sealer will work. We use Crystal Magic Consolidator and Crystal Magic Color Enhancer.

Now, the neat stuff is Crystal Magic Acid Proof, available in Polished, Matte or Slip Resistant. Instead of the above. This is a permanent sealer that is completely acid proof, oil proof, water proof, matter of fact the only way to get rid of it is to grind it off. It ALWAYS color enhances, which, depending on how you look at it, is good or bad. It can also be used as a permanent graffiti preventer, as the inks will just run off it! Pricey, but properly applied, the client will love you forever.

 

[Larry Cobb]

Albert;

I have used a "solvent-based enhancer" on stained concrete.

The one I used was also a fluorochemical protector, so don't even try to put it over a silicone-type repellent.

Larry Cobb