Although there are many options, the most popular suggestion, is a  quick reseal with solvent acrylic sealer. The solvent it most cases gives the needed pop to the faded paver. This technique though requires maintenance and resealing to try and keep the paver looking its best. A technique that is often overlooked and does not hit the pocket book that hard is to recolor the paver’s using a concrete stain and than applying the acrylic sealer.

Why is this process a smarter choice? First off it ensures that the color displayed is at its his potential vibrancy and accuracy. Secondly, it allows the consumer to alter, change or unite concrete slabs and sidewalks with their paver’s. Let’s take a look at one example. This project was done in a subdivision in Land O’ Lakes Florida. The situation was faded paver’s that bordered both sides of the concrete sidewalk leading up to the front entry way of the home.

The first step taken was to make sure the concrete sidewalk and paver’s were clean. For this process they used SCR (Super Concrete Renovator), a concrete cleaning solution that is “GREEN” or environmentally friendly and will not hurt the garden or landscaping near by. Once this solution was applied at a 4-1 ratio with water, the surface was pressure washed.

Next was the application of color to the paver’s and the concrete sidewalk. For this they choose the latest in “GREEN” concrete stains by SureCrete Design. The product is called Eco-Stain, a water based penetrating concrete stain that comes in 29 UV-stable colors. This product can be applied via multiple spraying tools or sponged on for faux finishes. After the concrete stain is applied it sits and dries for 30-60 minutes. After it is dried you can apply any type of acrylic sealer. As with any manufacturer, SureCrete does have sealer available also.

We hope these ideas help rejuvenate your fading concrete paver’s and sidewalks and allow for new looks and colors to refresh your own home or business!

Location: Canon City, Colorado

Project: Staining a concrete retaining wall

Installation by: Anderson Thompson

Material Supplier: Two Sisters Decorative Concrete Supply

Total Sq Ft: 324 sq ft

Products Used: Orange Blossom & Oak Eco-Stain plus SureCrete Water based Clear Acrylic sealer

A concrete retaining wall is an important, functional element to your home. For many though, it is a blank canvas waiting to have someone bring it to life. That is exactly what happened to a homeowner in Canon City, Colorado. With such beautiful scenery surrounding his home, his retaining wall block was a large white eye soar that stood out. After searching online and finding Two Sisters Decorative Concrete Supply, they realized they could bring their backyard retaining wall to life and do it in a way that was environmentally friendly!

The team at Two Sisters DCS, explained the pros and cons of traditional reactive acid and acrylic based stains offered by many companies. Realizing they did not like the sound of chemical stain or the uniform paint like look of acrylic stains, they choose to go with an environmentally friendly stain called Eco-Stain. This product offers 29-UV stable colors and uses the concrete retaining walls natural porosity to give the modeled and variegated stain look desired. To finish off the installation they choose a low VOC sealer from SureCrete Design, Hi-Gloss Clear WaterBase Sealer. Since the homeowner did not want to take on this project, Two Sisters DCS offered some local contractors, which were qualified for this application.

The process of installation was to thoroughly clean the retaining wall via a pressure washer and SCR. Once the retaining wall was clean, the team with Anderson Thompson Group, sprayed on the two colors of Eco-Stain with a HVLP gun hooked up to a compressor. This technique allowed for an even amount of material, and reduced  the amount of concrete stain being applied. This gave the opportunity to minimize runs and uneven or splotchy  modeling on the concrete retaining wall. After the stain dried, which is typically 30-60 minutes, they then applied the Waterbase acrylic sealer. The sealer was a wise choice as it locks down the color and provides a protection against staining from the soil and other minerals in the ground and water.

Two Sisters Decorative Concrete Supply is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado but offers concrete products and supplies to all of Colorado including Canon City. For more information please contact them at 1-719-661-8978.

Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee

Project: Beazer Home – Community Pool Deck  Renovation

Installation by: ACM

Material Supplier: SureCrete Design

Total Sq Ft: 14,000 sq ft

Products Used: Flash Patch, SureTex, , Eco-Stain, Pigmented SureSeal 20%

A Beazer Home’s community clubhouse had issues with their pool deck, during the initial installation of the almost 14,000 sq ft pool deck it encountered rain and a poor finishing technique. Although the builder was disappointed in the outcome, they were not prepared to do a major overhaul immediately.Why? They wanted the concrete pool deck to naturally go through its curing process and have time to make any movement and cracks. This way they could ensure a new aesthetic and functional  look that would stand the test of the traffic it would bare from it’s community. Let’s see the process that the team at ACM used to make this a successful decorative concrete makeover.

The first phase was to patch all dips and uneven spots that were causing water run off issues. To do this they used a concrete patch and blend product called Flash Patch. After all areas were level the cleaned and profiled the concrete pool deck to get it ready to receive its new decorative concrete surface. With slip and fall a major issue on a pool deck surface, the team at ACM choose a decorative concrete overlay mix from SureCrete, called SureTex. This product is designed to create the strongest bond to the concrete pool deck surface and create a classic knockdown or cool deck look. It’s mix design is single component, “just add water”, and therefore is Zero VOC and considered a Green or environmentally friendly concrete overlay.

After mixing SureTex with a pre-measured color pack and the right amount of water, they began the base coat on all 14,000 sq ft. They were able to cover the square footage with ease using a stand up squeegee. This was probably a wise choice of tool, as it does not require the applicator to bend over and be on their knees for  such a large project.

Once the base coat was dry on the concrete pool deck surface, they mixed up some additional SureTex with color, but this time sprayed it our of a hopper gun hooked up to an air compressor. This technique delivers a splatter affect on the surface, creating the beginning stage of the classic knockdown look. As part of the team is mixing and spraying the SureTex onto the surface the other half are using the stand up squeegee to flatten or knockdown the splatter texture to create the gorgeous new decorative concrete look.

After letting the material dry overnight, they then used a pigmented sealer to waterproof and ensure a consistent color across the entire concrete pool deck surface. As recommended by the manufacturer, they applied 2 coats of sealer for optimal performance and water and stain repellance to complete the project.

Location: Houston Raceway Park, Texas

Project: Eco-friendly concrete stain and sealer

Installation by: Stamped Artistry

Material Supplier: Stamped Concrete Products of Houston

Total Sq Ft: 8,500

Products Used: Eco-Stain, Dura-Kote Water based Urethane

The VIP room at the Houston Raceway Park in Texas receives high traffic volumes due to its use with NHRA Competitions and  as a banquet hall. Therefore the owners were looking for a floor that would wow its patrons while being a smart maintenance option. There choice was a Eco-friendly concrete stain and a durable sealer coat for wear and abrasion protection.

The team at Stamped Artistry of Houston began by properly prepping the 8,500 sq ft concrete floor. They used a product called SCR (Super Concrete Renovator) by SureCrete. This product cleans, degrease’s and profiles the concrete in one step. Once this product was sprayed on the concrete floor, they scrubbed it mechanically with a floor scrubber with black pads. They followed that step up with water and wet-vacced the remaining off the floor. The disposal of this product is also a benefit, as it is an Eco-friendly concrete cleaner.

Now that the concrete is clean and profiled, they began the coloring process with a penetrating water based concrete stain called Eco-Stain.

This product is UV-stable and comes in 29 colors. The choice for this floor was Autumn Gold. This concrete stain was applied with a pump up sprayer. Besides the color choices and UV-stability of Eco-Stain, its speed of application makes it and ideal choice over reactive acids. Once this concrete stain dried, which in most cases is 30-60 minutes, it is ready to be sealed. No need to neutralize, rinse or clean up.

The final stage was to choose and apply a concrete sealer that could hold up to the traffic pattern of the raceways patrons. There choice was the Dura-Kote Water Based Polyurethane. This product is a 2-part concrete sealer that is 57% solids with a VOC of 72 gms/L, making it an excellent Eco-Friendly concrete sealer. Another benefit is that it has NO aroma that will cause issues for the buildings tenants.  The concrete sealer was applied with a 3/8″ nap non shedding roller, like a mohair.

The end result was a beautiful concrete floor and addition to the Houston Raceway Park!

Location: “The Magnificent Mile” – Chicago, Illinois

Project: 2 Story self leveling with stain and sealer

Installation by: CCI Flooring, Inc.

Total Sq Ft: 7,600

The project was the Columbia Sportswear in Chicago Illinois located on Michigan Avenue, also known as the “Magnificent Mile”. The 2-story building had some unique obstacles to overcome along with a tight deadline. Lets take a look at how this building received its decorative concrete makeover.

The leveling and staining consisted of 6,400 sq. ft. and the stock rooms totaled out at 1,200 sq. ft.

Columbia is split into two storied floors. The 2nd story floor was 2,600 sq. ft. of 1 1/2″ stainable topping and 400 sq. ft. of clear epoxy in the stock room. CCI was given complete  access to the 2nd floor so their timeline was a little more reasonable. With 5 days to do the complete the entire upstairs, CCI’s floor applicators did not have the typical tight deadline due to use of the entire floor space and box out all other trades.

Day one: first the CCI crew had to remove all the mastic with a Htc 800 machine and repair all the cracks with Surecretes epoxy crack treatment mixed with silica sand.

Day two: Began with grinding the crack repair smooth, vacuum up, and seal up the perimeter so that the leveler didn’t dump onto the first floor. Then the crew were ready to put the primer down. The primer that was used is from Mapei called Planibond eba. It is essentially a two component epoxy. It gets squeggeed and back rolled then broadcasted to rejection with broadcast silica sand.

Day three: They were now ready to level the floor. CCI had to sweep, scrape, and vacuum all the excess sand that was rejected from the primer.

The mix station and pump was set up. We pumped the upstairs at a rate of 110 bags an hour. Because of the sq. ft. it only took a couple of hours. Day four: we knew it going to be a long day. First we scored a pattern into the floor to incorporate joints and columns into the design. When that was completed we set up for staining the floor. The color that was chosen was a mix of Surecretes Titanium and Pewter Gray Eco-Stain. This product is an Eco-friendly concrete stain that uses porosity and the concretes natural desire to absorb moisture to create its modeled affect, rather than a typical chemical reaction. That same day we had to prep and patch the second floor stock room. Finally

Day five: The project called for two coats of Surecrete’s water based Dura-Kote satin urethane. CCI had to get started right away so that the first coat would dry. Their timeline required them to put the second coat down late that same day. The stock room was sealed up at the same time but called for a clear Epoxy coating.

Once the GC cleared the first floor off and moved all the trades upstairs CCI was cleared for take off on the remaining 4,100 sq. ft. of retail and 500 sq. ft. of stock room. Theirr timeline was the same. CCI incorporated the same game plan that they used for the second floor.

This is where the amount of days becomes a real issue. The crew with CCI had 1,500 sq. ft. more than before. Their only choice was to bring out more machinary and more manpower. The biggest problem was the first floor needed to be raised in some areas from  1 1/2″ to 3″.  They also increased the mix stater on the pump and were able to pump 220 bags an hour. It seemed like forever but They got it done!

Columbia Sportswear hosted their Grand Opening recently. They had shut down part of Michigan Ave and Chicago’s Mayor Daley stopped by and complimented how good the store looks.