So had paver steps put in by a company, steps after a year were really chalky looking. Thought a year passing would clear it up but nope. This was my wife's baby so she took the reigns and got a hold of the guy that did it and he came out and I guessed used an acid wash to get rid of the efflorescence which did work, however now the grey concrete patio it lies on it all stained from the dye or whatever they use to color the pavers. Sooooo, not really looking into dealing with these people again and now its MY baby. What can I use to clean this shit off, if anything? Another acid wash for the concrete? Grind it?
Quiet. I'm on a roll. That's 3 now. Oh and, pressure wash, grab golf clubs and beer, and go have fun.
Try to stain the whole patio. Staining of concrete basements, patios, etc..is quite poplular. https://www.google.com/search?q=sta...rpHUAhXM6YMKHfUgBi4Q_AUIBygC&biw=1242&bih=580 https://www.google.com/search?q=sta...tbm=isch&q=staining+a+concrete+basement+floor
Did you try simple green and a pressure washer? Might be too late for it but you get to play with a pressure washer. No matter how much you want to, don't point the pressure washer at your foot and pull the trigger.
Muratic acid mixed 4:1 with water will do a nice acid wash. Just don't let it sit too long or it will pit the concrete. EDIT: 4 parts water to 1 part acid.
Jack hammer it out and double the length and width leading to your new 40 x 100 pole barn. Its really the only way to do it properly.
I tried nothing as of yet, don't want to fuck it up anymore than it is. I really doubt simple green is going to touch this stuff. I'll try a diluted muratic on it and see what happens after a pressure washer. Doesn't have to be perfect but it looks like someone puked up chocolate milk on my 1 year old patio. Even if its 50% better i'll leave it at that. Comes down to the same old goddamn saying "do shit yourself if you want it done right"/...
I used a local company to clean some portions of one of our production buildings last year, concrete, brick, asphalt and steel. They used dry ice blasting. Similar to bead/sand blasting, but a lot cleaner. Perhaps this might be an option for you?
As said above with muratic acid and pressure washer. A 25 or 40 degree nozzle and you will get the feel of it as you get closer to the concrete.
I wouldnt do Acid wash unless you really know what your doing. That could really go arai. I would have pressure washed first then try wire brush if that doesnt work. Acid wash would be last resort. I would like to see pics also to really understand the issue.
This. Muriatic (hydrochloric) acid will burn your concrete. Go to a masonry/concrete supply store and use what they recommend. The pressure sprayer will open up the surface, should seal it after. Or do like Gapman said....stain.
I would get a SDS sheet from the stain manufacturer and see what they use for cleanup. Baking soda/water mix may do the trick. Or a heavy degreaser and put it on with a pump sprayer. TSP mixed with water may work also. Really depends on the stain makeup. Pressure wash it with a rotator nozzle afterward, those do wonders. We clean up spills for a living so we get into different things all the time. If you have nice squares on the patio you can grind the top layer of concrete off with a rental. It will be bone white and smooth when done but does take a while to make sure you aren't leaving lines. Also could call a mobile shot blaster. Those guys work cheap. Have them blast it with walnut shells or something bio degradable. I have used dry ice on some jobs, it is nice in factories for oily hoods where you don't want water cleanup issues. It also is pretty pricey so doubt you want to dump that kinda coin.
When I clean my precast concrete stairs I use vinegar first. Not bad for cleaning the dirt scum off a deck, either. Stubborn stains I put some bleach directly on, though that won't help if the concrete has been colored, you'll just make a bigger mess. Personally, I'd have the original installer come back and make it right and stand there while he does it.
