How to Change the Color of Cultured Stone
Cobblestone sidewalks, fieldstone walls and stacked slate hearths. Natural stone is still revered today as a building material because of the traditional and rustic qualities it possesses. When natural stone is not economical or compatible for a project, many homeowners choose cultured stone.
Cultured stone is available in a broad range of styles and is used everywhere from around fireplaces to sauna interiors. Made primarily of concrete, the color of outdated cultured stone is alterable, using stains designed for concrete or masonry.
Things You Will Need
- Stripper
- Paintbrushes
- Paint sprayer (optional)
- Wet vacuum
- Concrete etch (optional)
- Scrub brush (optional)
- Neutralizing concrete cleaner (optional)
- Concrete stain
- Stir stick
Tip
Contact your local environmental protection or waste management office regarding methods of proper disposal of old, removed sealer.
Warning
If the cultured stone had been treated with a wax coating, a special wax stripper (rather than soy stripper) must be used before the re-coloring process can proceed.
-
Strip any sealer from the concrete to be re-colored. Lay a thick coat of low-toxicity, gel stripper, such as soy or citrus stripper, on all surfaces of the cultured stone, using a paintbrush. Use a sprayer for larger jobs. Allow the stripper to sit for several hours, then gently brush away the residue, using a wet broom, paintbrush, or scrub brush.
-
Use a wet vacuum to remove the remaining residue while also washing and rinsing the cultured stone with fresh water.
-
Etch the cultured stone if it has an extremely smooth surface or does not seem to absorb water very well. Coat all surfaces with a biodegradable concrete etching solution. Allow the etching solution to sit for a half-hour, then scrub the cultured stone with a scrub brush. Wash with neutralizing concrete cleaner to neutralize the etching solution.
-
Vacuum the residue using the wet vacuum. Allow the cultured stone to fully dry.
-
Open the can of concrete stain and stir thoroughly. Apply the stain to all surfaces you want to re-color, using a paintbrush. Use a sprayer for larger projects. Keep the painting area edge wet at all times while working to prevent lap marks from forming.
-
Allow the stain to dry for approximately an hour and apply a second coat if the stain job appears blotchy or if the color is not rich enough.
-
Paint the dry cultured stones with a new coat of concrete sealer.
The Drip Cap
- Cobblestone sidewalks, fieldstone walls and stacked slate hearths.
- Made primarily of concrete, the color of outdated cultured stone is alterable, using stains designed for concrete or masonry.
- Use a sprayer for larger jobs.
- Paint the dry cultured stones with a new coat of concrete sealer.
References
Writer Bio
Mason Howard is an artist and writer in Minneapolis. Howard's work has been published in the "Creative Quarterly Journal of Art & Design" and "New American Paintings." He has also written for art exhibition catalogs and publications. Howard's recent writing includes covering popular culture, home improvement, cooking, health and fitness. He received his Master of Fine Arts from the University of Minnesota.
More Articles
