Repair stamped concrete: keys to recover its color and shine

Why repaint or varnish a stamped concrete floor?

The characteristics of printed concrete make it look worn after some time, since its construction, due to the deterioration of the varnish applied to protect it.

It may not really be yet if it hasn't been too long.

Think that stamped concrete is made by adding a colored substance called hardener to the cement, which is a sealant that preserves the appearance of the newly made pavement and increases its resistance.

Generally, the sun and dust end up causing it to lose its original color within 3 to 5 years. The wear time may depend on the type of varnish that was applied when manufacturing it.

Restore stamped concrete, how to do it?

It is possible that the stamped concrete has lost its brightness and color only in appearance and that the slabs do not suffer from a real problem.

But how to find out? Too easy. You only need to wet the surface with water.

wet_stamped_concrete

If when pouring the water, it returns to its original color (as in the case of the image above), it will be necessary to clean the surface very well and simply apply a printed concrete varnish that enhances the original color and tone of the pavement.

That is why below we explain the different varnishes that you can use according to preferences or characteristics.

What varnish to use for stamped concrete? Existing Types

There are basically two types of waterproof varnishes for exteriors for concrete floors: water-based and solvent-based.

Both have the same purpose, which is none other than to protect and give shine to the stamped concrete. Let's see the characteristics of both:

Water-based varnishes for stamped concrete

These are environmentally friendly products that do not present risks during their application. In addition, they greatly simplify the process, since they do not stain the tools.

Of course, they offer high doses of brightness and color enhancement (wet effect), and they hold the parts of the concrete that may be a little dusty.

Therefore, we recommend its use for maintenance or to varnish stamped concrete if it is not in very poor condition.

Solvent-based varnishes for stamped concrete

Without a doubt, this type of varnish is the most recommended for very worn floors or if you need to protect it from stains that the concrete can absorb, such as oils or greases, since it is very, very waterproof. Its qualities in terms of hardness, resistance to external aggression from hydro cleaners, and vehicle traffic, are far superior to the previous one.

We recommend that you see the product sheet, where it tells you how to dilute the varnish, the drying and repainting times, etc... so that the application of the varnish for printed concrete is as perfect as possible and you achieve its maximum benefits.

varnished_impressed_concrete

How much varnish do you need?

This fundamentally depends on the size of the stamped concrete surface to be repaired. In general, both types spread the same. The performance offered by these paints and varnishes for floors is about 8 square meters for every 1 liter and they are usually sold in 5 liter and 25 liter drums and you will have to apply two coats .

Therefore, if you have a printed concrete surface of 50 square metres, you will need between 2 or 3 5-litre drums, depending on the amount of resin left on the floor from the previous application.

On the other hand, do not rule out either, if you have not protected or varnished your stamped concrete floor for a long time, the possibility that, after wetting the surface, the color will not recover or that it will do so partially, revealing unsightly stains, in this In this case, the damage to the pavement goes beyond dirt and it will be essential to paint the printed concrete floor with paint in one color so that it is even again.

Deteriorated.stamped.concrete.with.stains FLOOR.STAINS.PRINTED CONCRETE

For this reason, the varnish with dye is not enough, since, although it enhances the tone, it will continue to show those irregularities in the pavement, when applying the varnish with the dye, it will raise the tone on the floor, but it will raise it throughout the surface, so if you apply it to a lighter area, where it has lost the pigment, it will raise the tone, but in the areas where it is darker, it will raise the tone equally, so you will always continue to have lighter or darker areas. darker, even though the pitch is higher.

How to restore or paint stamped concrete pavements?

The first step consists, fundamentally, in choosing the right products, such as resins for printed concrete with gloss and color. Now, we want to clarify a few things:

There are two types of acrylic paint for exterior floors. Water -based acrylic paint is not suitable for vehicles and is characterized by its excellent adherence, elasticity and resistance to alkalis, weathering and rubbing. Its use is recommended, for example, to paint sports courts or floors that are not going to be traveled by vehicles, only by pedestrians.

For its part, acrylic solvent paint allows the transit of vehicles (including heavy machinery). It stands out for its high coverage, impermeability and its perfect combination of hardness and elasticity, ideal for painting busy floors, garages and storage rooms, high-traffic areas, among others.

Important to keep in mind if less than 2-3 years have passed since the last varnish application, apply one of the same type (water-based or solvent-based). If you want to go from one to another, it is best to wait at least 5 years, you could do it before, if the paint you have applied is of good quality and has a lot of resin.

Once these clarifications have been made, we can now explain how to repair printed concrete with varnish or paint in two simple steps.

1. Prepare the surface for the application of the varnish or paint for concrete floors

Ideally, you should use a high-pressure water gun or pressure washer to remove surface dirt. If it is very embedded, apply a cement remover, even if it seems counterproductive. The key is to use a very small amount (approximately 10 ml per liter of water) in order to remove all the impurities, but I repeat only in the event that the dirt is embedded.

cleaning_concrete.printed

If you use salfumán or strong water, or you have oil or grease stains, you should then thoroughly clean the area with a degreaser or cleaning solvent to remove the silicones that these products leave on the surface and which then repel the paint.

2. Start varnishing or painting

To apply any of these products, you will need a floor roller (preferably a quality one so that it does not break down the hair with the solvents) or a wide brush. We recommend using a roller extension handle, but a broom handle or mop will work just as well. That way, you won't need to bend over.

Another alternative is to use a spray gun or air less, although the wind can cause you to waste part of the product or not apply the same microns of material to the entire surface.

Once the entire surface is covered, you should let the varnish dry for 6-8 hours . After that time, you can step on the ground and check if the results are optimal. Apply another coat in the same way the next day. In case the wear was very high and it did not look good because the concrete floor has absorbed a lot, you should apply a third coat.

Restoring stamped concrete is easier than you think

Now you know how to repair stamped concrete so that it regains its original shine and color. As you can see, you just need to check the condition of the surface, choose the right varnish or paint and apply it with the right tools. You will have it as new again, and remember that if you repeat the process, after about 5 years, you will always have it as the first day.