how to smarten up stone on a front porch?

Andy From Sligo

Just wondering if there is anything I can do to smarten up stone on the front porch - the photo don't show it but when the stone is dry they are faded looking, I think it would be nice if the colour of the stone was brought out a bit, I was thinking of coating them in brush on varnish? and if so would normal gloss varnish do (or satin maybe) what do you reckon would look better? - after its been raining and they are wet they look grand.

and if i were to varnish them would I varnish the stone itself or do I varnish the cement/mortar in between the stone as well? or just the stone?

Thanks.

agusta

your looking for a stone sealer enhancer i would think

Andy From Sligo

agusta wrote: »

your looking for a stone sealer enhancer i would think

specialist stuff sounds expensive - could i get similar effects on a budget using varnish i'm wondering?

atilladehun

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

specialist stuff sounds expensive - could i get similar effects on a budget using varnish i'm wondering?

I don't know what I'm talking about but I wouldn't use varnish. Maybe baby oil. It cleaned up our fireplace, fridge and worktop. Worth a shot

Stravos Murphy

Are they dirty perhaps and need a pressure wash?

Andy From Sligo

Stravos Murphy wrote: »

Are they dirty perhaps and need a pressure wash?

tried power washing and no difference, i think its because the stone is porous - i though also by using varnish any future dirt would roll off the porous stone rather than embedding itself into the stone.

Andy From Sligo

I know some people like this 'weathered' look to real stone but I'm not mad keen.

Maybe I should try a small inconspicuous area with varnish, let it dry and see what happens.

agusta

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

specialist stuff sounds expensive - could i get similar effects on a budget using varnish i'm wondering?

Its a standard product.it should not be that expensive

HeidiHeidi

agusta wrote: »

your looking for a stone sealer enhancer i would think

Where would one find this? I have some sandstone flagstones that I'd like to try to seal, sounds like what I'm looking for!

agusta

tubs and tiles,b and q etc

agusta

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

I know some people like this 'weathered' look to real stone but I'm not mad keen.

Maybe I should try a small inconspicuous area with varnish, let it dry and see what happens.

What will you do if it peels and cracks in 6 months,which it more than likely will

ozmo

You sure its stone? It looks like cast concrete maybe?

If so maybe you need "Concrete Stain"
All the builders providers should have something similar.

https://www.adsealcolours.co.uk/

A neighbour of mine did varnish his blocks and black painted the joints - I didnt think very much of it personally - it went too dark and shiney - but you could try a small section see if you like the effect - probably will never come off again though.

Andy From Sligo

ozmo wrote: »

You sure its stone? ...

Bradstone apparently - according to the marketing sheets/selling point when the houses were built

spurious

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

Bradstone apparently - according to the marketing sheets/selling point when the houses were built

I think that's one of those 'made in a mould' stones.

ultra violet 5

it's sandstone

i would get a wire-brush attachment for your electric drill and clean the stones, most of the dirt is from mortar or cement-water

i would never seal the stone, better to let it breathe

ps if your using your drill to clean stone be sure to wear full ppe,

goggles and good quality dust-mask

Tom44

Andy,
It's your home, but NOT your house.

Ask landlord before you change anything.



Andy,
I love your posts, but jeasssus, please never move to Cork.

Andy From Sligo

ultra violet 5 wrote: »

it's sandstone

i would get a wire-brush attachment for your electric drill and clean the stones, most of the dirt is from mortar or cement-water

i would never seal the stone, better to let it breathe

ps if your using your drill to clean stone be sure to wear full ppe,

goggles and good quality dust-mask

thanks, i have actually got a wire brush attachment here somewhere im sure of it - must give it a try. i never thought, it could be that though

ultra violet 5

this would be ideal or similar

Andy From Sligo

Tom44 wrote: »

Andy,
It's your home, but NOT your house.

Ask landlord before you change anything.



Andy,
I love your posts, but jeasssus, please never move to Cork.

haha - no, i will never move to Cork, your safe

Andy From Sligo

ultra violet 5 wrote: »

this would be ideal or similar

yep , thats what I got one of those i'm sure of it. If I cant find it i'm sure they are easily got hold of

Andy From Sligo

what would a rag and linseed oil do? - worth a go?

James 007

ultra violet 5 wrote: »

this would be ideal or similar

And try that on the timber floors, it will give you some unique markings, your landlord will be delighted.

ozmo

If it is sandstone - it can be soft - I would imagine a rotary wirebrush like that would totally ruin it.

Its also a porus rock so if you do it wrong with oil it can go spotty as it soaks unevenly.

I think either leaving as is - cleaning the cement off with just water and a scrub brush -

or if you want to seal it - might be worth getting the correct sealer stuff for the job:

red sean

ozmo wrote: »

If it is sandstone - it can be soft - I would imagine a rotary wirebrush like that would totally ruin it.

Its also a porus rock so if you do it wrong with oil it can go spotty as it soaks unevenly.

I think either leaving as is - cleaning the cement off with just water and a scrub brush -

or if you want to seal it - might be worth getting the correct sealer stuff for the job:

Thats the big question. I don't think it is. It's moulded concrete.
Take a close look at the picture, two blocks on the bottom row and the one on the right above them are identical.

ozmo

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

Bradstone apparently - according to the marketing sheets/selling point when the houses were built

"Bradstone is a reconstructed walling system which recreates the appearance of natural stone..... The stone is cast in moulds..."

Probably worth emailing Bradstone and asking their advice - might even get it repaired free if its only a few years old and has faded already.

http://www.bradstone.ie/products/masonry.html

ultra violet 5

ozmo wrote: »

"Bradstone is a reconstructed walling system which recreates the appearance of natural stone..... The stone is cast in moulds..."

Probably worth emailing Bradstone and asking their advice - might even get it repaired free if its only a few years old and has faded already.

http://www.bradstone.ie/products/masonry.html

i was 99.9% sure that was sandstone, nice imitation

Andy From Sligo

ozmo wrote:

"Bradstone is a reconstructed walling system which recreates the appearance of natural stone..... The stone is cast in moulds..."

So it's just a facade then, not full blocks? That's interesting

Tom44

ALL BRICKWORK NEEDS TO BREATH

Thats why you don't paint your house with gloss / varnish type of paint.
If not, moisture gets trapped inside resulting in in frost breaking bricks.

ONLY use approved products for the particular job.
Specialist sealant will seal, but still allows breathing.

Andy's friend,
Tom

J.R.

You could try this

http://www.thompsonswaterseal.com/waterproofing-products/multisurface-waterproofers/waterproofer-plus-masonry-protector



http://www.diy.com/departments/thompsons-water-seal/35678_BQ.prd

Andy From Sligo

J.R. wrote: »

You could try this

http://www.thompsonswaterseal.com/waterproofing-products/multisurface-waterproofers/waterproofer-plus-masonry-protector



http://www.diy.com/departments/thompsons-water-seal/35678_BQ.prd

could do , do you reckon it will bring the colours out as well?

J.R.

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

could do , do you reckon it will bring the colours out as well?

I never used Thompsons Seal on a wall....I used it on patio slabs.

The patio slabs looked very grey & dead but looked lovely after it rained..you could see all the veins & details....which OI wanted.

I did the patio with the seal...gave it two coats..it looked brilliant.
It was exactly as they looked after rain.
There was a shine off the slabs for a week or two but that toned down quickly and you wouldn't even notice the shine now.

It also made the slabs very easy to brush afterwards.


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