I have a stained and stamped concrete patio and after it set up the guys came back and used a color hardener?

Question

to try and give it character i absolutely hate it and i've been using an angle grinder with a wire brush to get it off but it's removing a lot of the surface any ideas on a less abrasive approach or a chemical maybe ?

Answer 1

Check with the installer, or http://www.safe-react.com/etchtips.htm

There are many ways to do with chemicals what you desire,

muriatic (also known as hydrochloric) acid which is often the most effective

Answer 2

If they let the concrete set up before troweling on the hardener, then you've got a chance to get it off since it's only bonded to the surface and not actually impregnating the concrete. Using (1) part of muratic acid to (4) parts clean water with a scrub brush will likely get the surface color off. Dip the brush into the acid solution and scrub areas about 4' x 4' wide. Once you've worked an area this large, stop and rinse the concrete off so the acid does not etch the finished surface.

You can also try a pressure washer. If they used a powder type hardener, you should be able to lift it off the surface with a good quality pressure washer.

Hardeners are generally thrown onto and floated into the surface layer of concrete prior to finishing and stamping and well before it sets up, so your installer likely installed the product incorrectly and that is why (A) it looks bad and (B) he should be stepping in and handling it for you. I hate to hear it when stuff like that happens. Good luck, I hope everything works out.