Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 3:10 pm
Hi folks
I recently laid a new drive consisting of mainly block paving, with a slabbed path running through the middle. It's with the path that I've got the problem...
It was the first time I've laid blocks and it looked fine after finishing, even if I say so myself, but rather than let sleeping dogs lie, I decided to go ahead and 'seal' the blocks after reading stuff on this site. But I'm embarrassed to say I didn't heed all the good advice and to save money, I made the mistake of using a cheap sealant made by a well-known manufacturer, which I bought from a certain orange-coloured DIY store.
Anyway, to try to cut a long story short, I got a bit on the slabs (they are Bradstone buff-coloured textured paving slabs) and so decided to coat them as well. But I obviously didn't manage to apply it very evenly (maybe partly because they are textured...) because, to my horror, the next day, they had a distinctly patchy appearance, with some areas a fair bit darker (where more was somehow applied!) and other bits seemingly untouched. The darker parts also have a much shinier look, depending on angle of viewing, amount of sunshine etc.
My own fault/lack of experience, I know, but I'm sick as a parrot about it. I did do a test with a spare slab before and that had looked ok. The wife claims she thinks it looks fine and it looks fine indeed from a distance, but I notice it more or less every time I walk over it. As I said, I was proud of what I'd done, and now I feel I've ruined it somewhat...
Maybe I'll just have to live with it, put it down to experience etc., but I thought I'd run it by this forum just in case there is any chance of salvation, although logic tells me probably not...
What about dyes, some superior (darker?) sealant, recoating with loads of the same stuff to try to even it out... Any ideas/product suggestions appreciated.
I know, I know, what a numpty!!
Barry
I recently laid a new drive consisting of mainly block paving, with a slabbed path running through the middle. It's with the path that I've got the problem...
It was the first time I've laid blocks and it looked fine after finishing, even if I say so myself, but rather than let sleeping dogs lie, I decided to go ahead and 'seal' the blocks after reading stuff on this site. But I'm embarrassed to say I didn't heed all the good advice and to save money, I made the mistake of using a cheap sealant made by a well-known manufacturer, which I bought from a certain orange-coloured DIY store.
Anyway, to try to cut a long story short, I got a bit on the slabs (they are Bradstone buff-coloured textured paving slabs) and so decided to coat them as well. But I obviously didn't manage to apply it very evenly (maybe partly because they are textured...) because, to my horror, the next day, they had a distinctly patchy appearance, with some areas a fair bit darker (where more was somehow applied!) and other bits seemingly untouched. The darker parts also have a much shinier look, depending on angle of viewing, amount of sunshine etc.
My own fault/lack of experience, I know, but I'm sick as a parrot about it. I did do a test with a spare slab before and that had looked ok. The wife claims she thinks it looks fine and it looks fine indeed from a distance, but I notice it more or less every time I walk over it. As I said, I was proud of what I'd done, and now I feel I've ruined it somewhat...
Maybe I'll just have to live with it, put it down to experience etc., but I thought I'd run it by this forum just in case there is any chance of salvation, although logic tells me probably not...
What about dyes, some superior (darker?) sealant, recoating with loads of the same stuff to try to even it out... Any ideas/product suggestions appreciated.
I know, I know, what a numpty!!
Barry
