MA solution took color out of concrete

[JoyfulNoise]

Can you wet sand a small area of it?

The acid likely etched the surface, taking out the carbonate components, and made the surface porous. A roughened surface will look very different than a smoothed trowel surface. I have a pool deck that is acid-washed concrete and a walkway that is salt-finished. The salt finish is nothing more than a final trowel (smooth) with rock salt pressed in and then removed later. Even though they were poured form the exact same truck of integral colored concrete, they two surfaces look like they are different colors. The surface finish is what makes the difference.

So if you can, wet sand a small area to see if it restores the color at all.

 

[rcs29]

Can you wet sand a small area of it?

The acid likely etched the surface, taking out the carbonate components, and made the surface porous. A roughened surface will look very different than a smoothed trowel surface. I have a pool deck that is acid-washed concrete and a walkway that is salt-finished. The salt finish is nothing more than a final trowel (smooth) with rock salt pressed in and then removed later. Even though they were poured form the exact same truck of integral colored concrete, they two surfaces look like they are different colors. The surface finish is what makes the difference.

So if you can, wet sand a small area to see if it restores the color at all.

Ok I'll try it out. Thanks

 

[rcs29]

Can you wet sand a small area of it?

The acid likely etched the surface, taking out the carbonate components, and made the surface porous. A roughened surface will look very different than a smoothed trowel surface. I have a pool deck that is acid-washed concrete and a walkway that is salt-finished. The salt finish is nothing more than a final trowel (smooth) with rock salt pressed in and then removed later. Even though they were poured form the exact same truck of integral colored concrete, they two surfaces look like they are different colors. The surface finish is what makes the difference.

So if you can, wet sand a small area to see if it restores the color at all.

A particular grit you recommend. I'm pretty dense with concrete.....clearly

 

[Toxophilite]

Over the years, with different masonry issues, and too have been tempted by the MA fix. But for very special purpose, I tended to end up with more issue than started with. I finally figured it to be about akin to taking a ball-peen to fix a stopped watch! So, in that vein, I agree that restoring the surface first, back to where you started and maybe all will be well enough. If not, then you have some option. My first test would be to wet it with something and see if the color is still there.

 

[kimkats]

I'm really good at learning things the hard way.

As we all are so no worries!

I am in to learn with you!

 

[JoyfulNoise]

A particular grit you recommend. I'm pretty dense with concrete.....clearly

Anything in the 80-120 range. Use a sanding sponge. Just work on a small area near a “normal” area so you can see if there’s any difference at all.

 

[rcs29]

Worked 2nd last night and 1st today so not much to update but in the worst of lighting and steady rain it seemed like some of the color may still be there. Just that much of it is so dark you can't really tell. To me the surface didn't seem damaged. Again this is in very poor lighting, rain and sleep deprivation so....I'll take pics this afternoon.

 

[rcs29]

This is bad spot. Looks a little better today

 

[rcs29]

This is the not bad area

 

[rcs29]

Plan to wet sand later but have people in pool at moment

 

[Orion7319]

Does it all match when it’s wet? If so the sealer might work.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

I would try the wet sanding and see what happens.

I get the idea of using sealers but they are not without their downsides. If you use one, you have to keep using them. And they will interfere with coloring the concrete of you want to try that. Doing any kind of sealer treatment would be an absolute last resort for me.

 

[JamesW]

I would try the sanding first and then maybe use the stain.

 

[rcs29]

I would try the wet sanding and see what happens.

I get the idea of using sealers but they are not without their downsides. If you use one, you have to keep using them. And they will interfere with coloring the concrete of you want to try that. Doing any kind of sealer treatment would be an absolute last resort for me.

Will do thanks

 

[rcs29]

So to be clear. You both are suggesting to wet sand 1, stain 2 and 3rd sealer? What about before and after stain if it comes to that? Do I need to remove any left over sealant before staining and reapply after? I appreciate your input very much.

 

[rcs29]

Does it all match when it’s wet? If so the sealer might work.

No not really because the affected area is dark.

 

[rcs29]

And I plan to take that free sealer regardless because at $60/gallon I might as well right?

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Staining and sealing concrete is not that simple. There are probably dozens of different products on the market for coloring and sealing concrete and none I would recommend doing yourself unless you want to make a bad situation worse. Typically with staining and sealing you can’t just do one little area … it’s all or nothing. So if it comes to your wife leaving you unless you fix the deck, then you should call in a pro and have them evaluate and do it. Otherwise you risk going from a dumb mistake to an epic-fail.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Just do the sanding and see what you get. Worry about surface treatments later …

 

[rcs29]

Staining and sealing concrete is not that simple. There are probably dozens of different products on the market for coloring and sealing concrete and none I would recommend doing yourself unless you want to make a bad situation worse. Typically with staining and sealing you can’t just do one little area … it’s all or nothing. So if it comes to your wife leaving you unless you fix the deck, then you should call in a pro and have them evaluate and do it. Otherwise you risk going from a dumb mistake to an epic-fail.

What? I watched like 7 minutes of YT videos....doesn't that make me a pro? Honestly the sealer did seem straight forward. The rest, yeah probably best for a pro. And your wife comment literally made me lol. I truly appreciate you all here very much. Company seems to love the pool so probably won't get to sand until Monday since I'm working a 16hr shift tomorrow. I'll update and hopefully put yet another feather in this place's cap. Side note: friend I have over commented on how nice my water was and we have multiple mutual friends with pools and never heard him utter a word about water in a pool before. TFP!