The Brew Cabin

I have just finished laying a small patio (3x5m) and, thanks to this site, it all went pretty well (apart from an unforseen downpour which caused just a little more settling than I would have liked!). I used 2" (5cm) blue/black granite-like stone pieces of various sizes which here in SE Spain are often used as a facing (veneer ? stone). Some of the stones are a gorgeous bronze colour. However, a lot of the beauty of the stone seems to have been lost in the process. Could I treat the stone with diesel (which they use on terracotta floors out here) or vegetable oil? I have experimented on a left over piece and it LOOKS great but I wanted to know if I was storing up trouble for myself in the future. Any advice gratefully received. Thanks very much

I couldn't recommend either of those - diesel is nasty, nasty stuff, and I can't help thinking it would present a slip hazard when wet. Vegetable oil breaks down relatively quickly and so would need to be re-done every few weeks.

Maybe things are different in Spain, but in Britain and Ireland, we'd use a colour enhancer or a sealant if we wanted to bring out the natural colour of a stone. I know there's a range of products called 'Delta' that are sold throughout southern Europe as specialist treatments for stone, and they do seem to be very effective - more importantly, they're environmentally safe!

Thanks very much indeed for that, Tony. I will go in search of it right now!
Best wishes
Carmel