How to protect paint stamped concrete patio?

[AusDIY]

Hey folks, we have a patio made of peach coloured concrete with red paint on the top. It has never been repainted again after the first time 25 years ago so the red top layer paint has faded in most parts but we like the design it has created. I have just pressure washed it with a turbo nozzle (rotating nozzle) and then again with a 15 degree spray nozzle attachment. To make it less susceptible to black mold in winter, dirt and water marks and to make it easier to clean, I was thinking of buying something like White Knight Ultra Pave Clear Sealer. 

https://www.bunnings.com.au/white-knight-4l-ultra-pave-clear-sealer_p1540634

Is this advisable or will the White Knight clear sealer lift the existing 25 year old red paint? Or instead I should just use a tinted red sealer that is basically the same as painting the whole patio which will lose that patterned red colour which formed over 25 years. Thanks.

[JacobZ]

Hi @AusDIY,

Welcome to the Bunnings workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

Your patio is in a bit of a tricky situation because you have a mixture of painted surfaces and unpainted surfaces. Typically, concrete sealers and coatings are divided into two separate types: for uncoated surfaces and for coated surfaces. Having a mix of the two throws a bit of a spanner in the works.

I see two options really; either grind back the remaining paint so that you have an entirely uncoated surface, which would almost certainly remove the texture that you have grown to love, or apply a clear sealer over the top with the knowledge that it may have some trouble sticking to the already painted sections.

Personally, I agree with you that the look of the faded paint adds interest that would be a shame to cover up, so I think a clear sealer such as White Knight Ultra Pave Clear Sealer would be the way to go.

If the paint has stayed well bonded over the past 25 years to the areas where it remains, after I am assuming more than one cleaning with a pressure cleaner, then I can't see a clear sealer causing it to peel any more than it would without the sealer.

I think giving it a try and seeing how it goes is better than the nuclear option of grinding it all back and starting again.

Allow me to tag @AlanM52, @Nailbag and @JoeAzza to see what they think.

Jacob

[AusDIY]

Thanks for the reply. Yea I am thinking the same, to clear seal it as the red paint sections are pretty stuck on. Plus those red areas are recessed in the stamped pattern so foot traffic does not wear it down and thus the red paint has formed patterns in those areas. The other option is well, instead of clear sealer, get pavement / concrete paint and paint the whole darn thing which we are trying to avoid due to liking the pattern. 

[AlanM52]

Hi @AusDIY,

I agree with @JacobZ and would go for the clear sealer.

Cheers

[Nailbag]

Hi @AusDIY 

I also agree with both @AlanM52 and @JacobZ in applying that clear sealer product. The texture in the surface looks very retro and also helps to hide imperfections very well. 

Nailbag

[JoeAzza]

Hi @AusDIY , I agree seal it, or before sealing you could try soda blasting, look up online to see how it’s done, I think you can diy, then seal it.

[AusDIY]

Thanks mate. Good to get some clear opinions from some of the guru's here. Only reason I asked is that Google and Google AI showed to not clear coat over painted surface and to strip it all back to bare concrete which made me panic.

[AusDIY]

A lot of people post their issues / queries here but then don't follow up with what they ended up doing after they resolve the issue with the advice from amazing members here....so I thought I will make a post of what I ended up doing. Hope this helps other people with a similar issue.

I applied the clear coat on a small 50 x 50 cm section as I initially planned, it stuck on really good, even over the old red faded paint. Partner didn't like the shimmering look so I went back to Bunnings, grabbed the White Knight Ultra Pave Quick Dry 10L and tinted it to a light mud colour (no choice due to house brick design). Partner didn't didn't want full on red like before and also didn't want brown....so something in-between with some red and some brown. I call this colour 'The diarrhea' 😅. Turned out ok me thinks. I know I know, painting concrete or pavers is a last resort as they don't last and is a constant upkeep nightmare but this will be a good experiment.

Reviews on the Bunnings website is quite poor for this product. I think I did all the prep work properly that is mentioned on the tin. I pressure washed it twice with a Ryobi 2750 PSI electric pressure washer using a turbo nozzle and went overboard and did it again with a 15 degree nozzle and took my time. Then a concrete paver cleaning solution with a light scrub and a thorough final light pressure wash with a 40 degree nozzle to get rid of the cleaning solution. Left it to dry for 72hrs. Time of painting, humidity at 55% 1st coat, 65% 2nd coat. Temp at 26 degrees C 1st coat, 21 degrees C 2nd coat. 1st coat was thinned with water by 20% as per tin instructions to help soak into the concrete. Covered from the sun from all sides, no direct sun exposure. Now just waiting 7 days for the paint to fully cure before walking on it. So I did the proper prep work but we shall see if this lasts. I will update the thread as the months roll on. Hopefully there are no durability issues. Thanks to all that replied with their knowledge...that gave me the confidence boost I needed. Here are the after photo's.

[MitchellMc]

Congratulations on completing your project @AusDIY. You've put a lot of care and effort into the prep and application, and the result really shows that. 

Thanks so much for updating us on how it turned out. It’s always great to hear the results and see what worked in the end.

Mitchell

[JoeAzza]

@AusDIY , looks really good, just tell everyone that walks on it , to take there shoes off before walking on it, it will last longer.😀