Did i really let this happen!!! - Father in law + pointing = pain

[Dominichowkins]

Thanks Aspects - will give you a call

Anything to get this shifted!!!

[seanandruby]

It was just a suggestion to try if everything else fails. Azpects could have the solution.
Can't recommend a specific one but plenty on line to choose from. Might be best to look and ask manufactures opinion. I have only ever used the large industrial diamond pads on concrete, years ago.

[lutonlagerlout]

diamond pads would break your heart and your wallet

the acid I am talking about is the strong hydrochloric acid available from swimming pool supply places
like
http://www.onlinepoolstore.co.uk/hydroch....1-p.asp
this stuff is a different kettle of fish to what you have bought from a builders merchant,
FULL PPE MUST BE USED
the paving would have to be pre wetted to avoid scorching ( I have noised this up myself before so know it must be done)
try an off cut first
but main point is this stuff is highly corrosive and DANGEROUS ===> A LOT OF CARE MUST BE TAKEN

LLL

[seanandruby]

diamond pads would break your heart and your wallet

the acid I am talking about is the strong hydrochloric acid available from swimming pool supply places
like
http://www.onlinepoolstore.co.uk/hydroch....1-p.asp
this stuff is a different kettle of fish to what you have bought from a builders merchant,
FULL PPE MUST BE USED
the paving would have to be pre wetted to avoid scorching ( I have noised this up myself before so know it must be done)
try an off cut first
but main point is this stuff is highly corrosive and DANGEROUS ===> A LOT OF CARE MUST BE TAKEN

LLL

Think Doms heart is already broke and whichever way he goes the wallet will take a caning. What about the belt thingy that Cookie uses on the sets...any good ? Think Roger is your man for this :;):

[Tony McC]

A Belt Cleaner only really works with slurry mortars. There are portable honing/polishing machines, but they'd completely change the character of stone. Sand/grit blasting is the better option but it's messy. Acid could completely ruin the stone if it has any iron minerals.

There is no easy answer.

[lemoncurd1702]

Give it 12 months , it will mellow out to a degree.
See if it still pisses you off as much next year, then do something about it.
Or drink crates of strong beer while sitting out on it, more fun, less expensive and you won't even notice the grouting after a few bevvies.

I am serious about leaving it weather though. Surprising what our rain/wet/dry/freeze/thaw cycle can do!

[michaelthegardener]

inlaws eh that's the reason my bedroom carpet dosnt quite reach the wall :p

[RAPressureWashing]

That is a bit of a mess, you might and this only a long shot, with a low speed rotary medium-soft brush fitted and 200 grit honing powder it might start to remove some of the staining. You might even need a stiff brush for this one. Phosphoric Acid is another route less aggressive then hydrochloric acid and fairly sandstone safe. You can't use diamond pads on this as the surface looks like it is a "Riven" surface so won't work unless you want a smooth surface. No matter what you try to do, it is going to be long drawn out, messy and expensive. I wouldn't want to guarantee a 100% success rate for this one.

[Dominichowkins]

Wow cheers all.... what a great bunch!

I spoke to aspects they were great so going to try some of their stuff when it arrives... I figured a bit of elbow grease is cheap with their solution.

Will keep you all updated - many thanks again for all your advice

To a degree it has weathered - particularly where we have walked over it. So fingers crossed it might tone down!

[TheVictorianCobbleCo]

Hi, long time.Because of the way South Africans work this is a problem we see now and again. Be careful now, and try this - no guarantees.
Get Hydrochloric acid (for adjusting pH) normally available in 5l bottles from a Swimming pool supplier. BE CAREFUL, Wear gloves and a face mask, gum boots. Get a 10 litre bucket and fill with 8l of water. NEVER ADD WATER TO ACID. Add 2l acid. USE a broad paint brush to paint over the stain, leave for about 3 -5mins. You will see bubbling and fizz. Once fizz stops (no more than 5 mins) wash with lots of clean water. Repeat and repeat, the stains will come off. you can increase the mix ratio to 50% but it is safer to do many washes rather than one strong one. Feel free to ask if you need more detail.

[TheVictorianCobbleCo]

Buy me an air ticket I'll come do it for you.