Staining from geofix all weather - Staining  when applied to dry slabs

[CHRISTY1982]

Hi,

I have recently installed my first Indian sandstone patio (36 m2) at my home and I have learned everything I needed to know from this excellent site. I just hope you guys can now help me with a major issue I have now that the project is complete.

The project had taken me a long time as I had been doing everything myself whilst working and still trying to maintain a social life. For this reason and due to the fact I was burnt out from digging everything by hand, I decided to opt for the Geofix option for the pointing.

I watched various installation videos on the product and proceeded to buy it. Due to a mix up at the builders merchants I ended up with the all weather stuff rather than the normal stuff I had intended to use.

Assuming the instructions were the same as for the normal stuff, I proceeded to use two tubs worth of it on the patio. I was then horrified to learn that it should be used only on wet slabs and not on dry slabs like the standard product. I continued to finish the work but by wetting the remaining slabs like recommended.

This has left a staining at the first section which I assume is from the waterproof substance in the product. Its like a waxy layer that make the paving look dark or damper than the rest. I contacted Geofix for their recommendations but they were very unhelpful and gave me nothing at all to go on. They merely pointed out that the staining would be temporary like it states on the tub.

I wondered if anyone else has had this issue and what they were able to do about it. I know this is purely my fault for making assumptions but I am absolutely distraught that this has happened at the final stage of whats been a great project. The patio was looking fantastic until this was done and it now looks horrific in my eyes. I have tried to remove the offending layer by scrubbing with warm soapy water, but I think due to the waterproof or PVA substance in the product it wont look at it. Would a white spirit solution lift it? I don't want to damage the paving any more though.

[Adrwilliams]

Heres a suggestion from a novice doing a similar kind of DIY / slow progress / long term project.....

I too had a problem with staining - in my case from an SBR slurry mixture that I used with some yorkstone setts.

I first of all tried a rotary wire brush in the angle grinder - no joy.

I ruled out the use of ANY solvent as I thought this was likely to drive any contamination further into the stone and NOT remove it.

What worked a treat was sanding.....

Not just any old sandpaper though - you need something thats harder than the stone.

I used cloth backed aluminium oxide - a very coarse grit (about 60 grit as I recall) and a little patience and most of the contamination is now invisible.

I did this by hand, but a random orbit sander might also work.

HOWEVER - this method is dependent on the degree to which your contamination has soaked in.... If its soaked well in, then this method may not be effective.

You should test a small area first - maybe on a 'test piece' of offcut stone....

Of course - the experts on here may well have better suggestions for you.

[msh paving]

As much as myself and every contractor on hear hates geogoo,,,, I would leave it a couple weeks to let the solvent evaporate,
Years ago I used it alot for a nation co. And It was same thing, fotget the sandpaper or wire brush I will damage the ston finish, If no change in 2/3 weeks then come back for more advice MSH

[lutonlagerlout]

what mark said
it will all have gone into the ether within a couple of dry weeks
LLL

[lutonlagerlout]

Adrian the 2 types of staining are completely different mate

I know the sheen that christy is on about and it normally lasts a week

LLL

[Adrwilliams]

Adrian the 2 types of staining are completely different mate

I know the sheen that christy is on about and it normally lasts a week

LLL

HA!!! as per my last sentence! I thought you experts would have the answer! Cheers LLL.

[CHRISTY1982]

Thanks very much to you all for your speedy and helpful responses. I think the best (safest)idea for me is to leave it a bit to see if it does disperse naturally before trying something else.

Adrian, I did actually feel the same way as you did about the solvent driving the offending product further into the stone and I think that option is definitely a no no.

Thanks very much for all your help. I will come back on if it's still there after a few weeks.