Light Charcoal Concrete Projects: Before, During & After Transformations

Project Info:

• Project Completed In: 20 day(s)
• Estimate of Square Footage: 750 sq. ft.
• Project Description:
  We had to build a retaining wall (about 7.5 feet) to level the ground and build a patio as an extension of the yard. We used reclaimed brick off the original house and laid out a harlequin diamond pattern. Then we used 3/8″ plywood strips to form diamond concrete pavers within the brick pattern, allowing for joint sand compound between the bricks and concrete pavers. After waiting a season (winter), we masked off the bricks and retaining wall to stain the pavers and steps with Antiquing light charcoal stain. We used the light charcoal because we wanted to match the firepit stones and give the illusion of slate slabs. When we were laying the concrete diamonds and we had leftover concrete, we poured them into large container saucer dishes to be used as steppingstones within the garden area. The steppingstones were stained with ColorWave ivy stain to look like moss covered mounds. *Side note: when laying the concrete on the contoured steps in the fall, there was a lot of squirrel activity and impossible to keep them off the steps as they dried. We ended up embracing their little footprints as signatures embedded in the project.
• Personal Tips:
  Watch to make sure your EasySeal is not creating any bubbles. If bubbles occur, allow yourself room to go back and access your area to gently pop them. If you don’t catch them, you can sand them out, but you must be careful not to remove the stain in the process. It is easier to address them when it is wet.
• Direct Colors Products Used:
  Antiquing™ Stain Trial Kit (Driftwood, Yukon Gold & Light Charcoal)
  1 Gal. Light Charcoal DIY Antiquing™ & EasySeal™ Satin Kit (on steps and diamond harlequin pavers)
  2 x 1 Gal. Light Charcoal Antiquing™ & EasySeal™ Satin Kit (on steps, diamond and brick pavers)
  1 Qt. Ivy ColorWave® Stain (for steppingstones in garden)
• Other Products Used:
  EP Henry harvest blend retaining wall block, reclaimed bricks, quickrete concrete mix, and beige Gator Nitro joint sand.

Project Info:

• Project Completed In: 3 day(s)
• Estimate of Square Footage: 200 sq. ft.
• Project Description:

Outdoor patio needed a major make over. We contacted a few professional companies in our area quotes came in around 3,000!!! that made us think perhaps we can do it ourselves! it can’t look any worse than it does now.

After researching online for about a month hubby and I opted to purchase from Direct Colors because of the simple easy to understand instructions, along with the ” how to videos ” available on the website.

I must admit we both were feeling a bit apprehensive at first to take on such a massive project. We are both in our mid 50″s with zero previous experience.

After contacting the wonderful customer support service team at Direct Colors we took the plunge and ordered. The customer service team is professional, knowledgeable and was patient with our questions explaining in layman’s terms our questions.

It’ was comforting to know professional assistance was just a phone call away 3 days later our patio was finished, looks amazingly well done saved literally thousands of dollars and had the feeling of accomplishment.

Thank you Direct Colors!

• Personal Tips:
  • Pre- preparation is 90% the key to success. A clean, grease free surface is a must!
  • Check weather forecast partly cloudy/ no rain in the forecast for 3 days, green flag to begin
  • Make sure you have all equipment ( brushes, tarps, rollers, trays, etc.) required gathered in one handy space
  • Create a checklist of materials needed prior to starting.
  • Read then re-read the directions/ instructions
  • Jot down any questions you may have, then contact Direct Colors customer support … the team is fabulous!
• Direct Colors Products Used:
  1 Gal. Light Charcoal DIY Antiquing™ & EasySeal™ Satin Kit
  1 Gal. Gray Antiquing™  Stain

Project Info:

• Project Completed In: 3 day(s)
• Estimate of Square Footage: 200 sq. ft.
• Project Description:

Outdoor patio needed a major make over. We contacted a few professional companies in our area quotes came in around 3,000!!! that made us think perhaps we can do it ourselves! it can’t look any worse than it does now.

After researching online for about a month hubby and I opted to purchase from Direct Colors because of the simple easy to understand instructions, along with the ” how to videos ” available on the website.

I must admit we both were feeling a bit apprehensive at first to take on such a massive project. We are both in our mid 50″s with zero previous experience.

After contacting the wonderful customer support service team at Direct Colors we took the plunge and ordered. The customer service team is professional, knowledgeable and was patient with our questions explaining in layman’s terms our questions.

It’ was comforting to know professional assistance was just a phone call away 3 days later our patio was finished, looks amazingly well done saved literally thousands of dollars and had the feeling of accomplishment.

Thank you Direct Colors!

• Personal Tips:
  • Pre- preparation is 90% the key to success. A clean, grease free surface is a must!
  • Check weather forecast partly cloudy/ no rain in the forecast for 3 days, green flag to begin
  • Make sure you have all equipment ( brushes, tarps, rollers, trays, etc.) required gathered in one handy space
  • Create a checklist of materials needed prior to starting.
  • Read then re-read the directions/ instructions
  • Jot down any questions you may have, then contact Direct Colors customer support … the team is fabulous!
• Direct Colors Products Used:
  1 Gal. Light Charcoal DIY Antiquing™ & EasySeal™ Satin Kit
  1 Gal. Gray Antiquing™  Stain

Project Info:

• • Project Completed In: 2 day(s)
  • Estimate of Square Footage: 268 sq. ft.
  • Project Description:
    This project was a color correct for our outside stamped concrete walkway and edging for our driveway. Photos that I included do not do the ugly orange color justice. The photos make it look like a bright terra cotta, but in actuality it was pinkish orange. We inherited this very bright chalky pinkish orange walkway when we purchased the house seven years ago. We’ve lived with the color all of this time, hating it but also being hesitant to dive into attempting to fix it. Finally bit the bullet and decided this was the year to try to improve the color. I ordered 7 color samples, from two companies. Direct Colors won out with their Light Charcoal Satin EasyTint. I loved the richness of the color, and the sample gave me the exact results I was hoping for – it turned the chalky orange to a rich rusty iron color. I ordered more than the recommended amount of tinted sealer and acrylic sealer, as I knew how thirsty my concrete would be. I received my order quickly, and transformed the concrete the following weekend.I cannot recommend these products enough. I was impressed with the ease of application, and even more impressed with the fantastic transformation. The end result was what I had hoped for and so much more. Our walkway now has the rich color of iron stone. It is stunning. Gorgeous. I could go on and on. My husband said the same thing, that the results far surpassed expectations.
  • Personal Tips:
    The evening before project day, I edged the sod all around the project, then pressure sprayed the concrete. I was fortunate that the weather cooperated perfectly for me – it was overcast with a high of 72 degrees the first day. On day one I applied two coats of the tinted sealer, using a 1/2″ nap roller. Direct Colors recommends a 3/8″ nap roller at the most, but I bent the rule and went with 1/2″ because my stamped concrete has some pretty deep wells (I was very careful not to get so much product in the deep areas so that there was no puddling). I made sure to keep the co at even, and covered each section completely. I was concerned that with the fast dry time, I might see roller lines. But no, not at all. Despite the fast dry time (tacky within a few minutes), there were absolutely no roller lines. The sealer was fantastic to work with – it is thin, so it will run into cracks and over edges. I used this to my advantage when working the edges, and squeezed sealer over the edges with the roller. I only had to hand paint (using a 2″ paintbrush) a few sections which were deeper than others. But for the most part, I could get away with just using the roller for edges and the bulk of the project. I ordered the 5 gallon bucket for the tinted sealer. I mixed it by shaking and rolling it around on the ground prior to opening it. After I used some of it, I then could shake it easier before each pour. Also, I did not wear any special shoes. The tinted sealer dried completely between coats. It wasn’t completely cured, but it was very tough and I could easily walk on it leaving absolutely no footprints. On day two, again the weather cooperated nicely – it was partly cloudy/partly sunny, and again around 72 degrees. I applied two coats of Solvent Based Acrylic Satin Concrete Sealer. The acrylic sealer also dries very fast, possibly faster than the tinted sealer. But it was easy to apply using the roller and paintbrush. Again I used a 1/2″ nap roller and was careful to watch for puddling. And again I was able to walk on the product between coats, leaving no footprints. For cleanup for both tinted sealer and acrylic sealer, I used Xylene. For 268 square feet, I used approximately 3 gallons of tinted sealer and 2 gallons of acrylic sealer. My concrete was very thirsty, so used more than the recommended amount. I thought the concrete looked nice with only the tinted sealer from the day before, but adding the acrylic sealer not only gave it added protection, but added another layer of richness that took the look to the next level.

• Direct Colors Products Used:
  EasyTint™ Trial Kit (Light Charcoal, Aztec Brown & Black)
  5 Gal. Light Charcoal EasyTint™ Satin
  3 x 1 Gal. EasySeal™  Satin
• Direct Colors Products Used:
  Lawn edger and power sprayer for prep work
  Paint roller with extension pole
  Paintbrush
  Paint tray
  Xylene for cleanup