Why does nobody warn you about color hardener fading on stamped work?

I spent $85 on a premium color hardener for a stamped patio in Boise and the color looked great for about two weeks after. Then it started fading to a washed out gray way faster than the natural concrete tone I mixed on another driveway last summer. Did I skip a sealer step or is this just how color hardener works in high UV areas?

2 comments

2 Comments

abbyg6026d ago

Oh man, I feel your pain! I did a stamped path a couple years ago with color hardener and the same thing happened, it went all washed out and sad looking after a month in the sun. For me, the trick was using a high quality solvent based sealer with UV blockers, like two good coats of it, and reapplying every year or so. The water based sealers just dont hold up against the sun in high UV spots like Boise. Also check if your color hardener had any UV stabilizers in it, some brands are better than others for outdoor work.

richard_anderson26d ago

Wait, have you ever tried the old trick of using a clear wax over the sealer? A buddy of mine in Phoenix swears by it for his stamped patios, says it gives an extra layer of protection against the sun beating down all day. He used some cheap car wax he found at a garage sale and it actually held up better than the expensive stuff from the hardware store, lol. Not saying it'll fix your whole problem but it might help the color pop a bit more before you reapply next year. Just make sure you buff it on a cool day or it'll smear like crazy.