Removal of cement stains from bricks

[cdorling]

Hi
My new patio project is ongoing, I've just finished building my 2nd small retaining wall. Unfortunately, this time I rushed the pointing of the top 'soldier' layer as dusk was nearing. As I'd smeared some bricks with a little cement, I took the advice for slabs and tried to rub it off with a wet cloth. It looked like i got it off at the time, but now we've had a warmish day and the bricks have dried out, I can see dull areas and a greyish 'bloom' where I used the wet cloth. And I can see cement still in the 1,000s of little dips there are in bricks.

I've read on here that there is a brick cleaning acid, but all the advice I've seen is for slabs ie be careful, to wet it 1st & then wash the whole area with acid. So do I wash the whole top of my brick wall, or do I have to be mindful of pointing &/or bricks disintegrating? And do I use a wirebrush, or will that mess the brick up? As tacky as it looks, maybe I'm worrying too much, should I 1st see if a bit of rain & frost does the job for me?

I also seem to have used a mortar with more cement for some of the wall, the top of which will be very visible when sitting on the patio, most is yellowish (the colour I wanted), but some is grey. Do I just have to live with that, or can I stain it?

I hope my questions are not too basic - I'm over 50 & this is my first ever building project. I've thoroughly enjoyed it so far, even though I'm months behind schedule! Couldn't have done the planning & the work to date without the info from this site. So many thanks for that.

[andpartington]

hi just brush on the acid to dry or wet bricks and watch it fizz the stains off
hose off after 10 mins and if needed re apply until all staining has gone
a wire brush will help 2 shift any big lumps after u have hosed it off and don’t be afraid to reapply to spot areas

the colors in the pointing will fade back too something similar after few months never herd of a stain

Andy

[Suggers]

Right on Andy - I fill half a bucket full of neat mortar cleaner, then with scrubbing brush, vigorous scrub each individual brick (not mortar joint), about 3 courses at a time, leave 5 mins, then scrub whole facework with clean water ( lots of ) - finished prod looks superb.....
It's such a weak acid solution you don't have to be afraid.

[cdorling]

Thanks chaps. I've used some cleaner. It sure fizzed, especially where the 'duller' bricks were. Just need some sun now for them to dry out so's i can hopefully see my handiwork in its full glory.