A Step-by-Step Guide for Restoring Stamped Concrete

Restoring a faded, weathered pool deck is simple when you follow a clear process. This guide walks you through staining, antiquing, and sealing a stamped concrete surface to bring it back to life with a fresh, uniform finish.

Step 1: Mix the Original Solid Color Stain

Start by preparing the stain correctly.
 You’ll need two buckets.

  1. Bucket #1: Pour Bottle A and Bottle B together.

  2. Bucket #2: Pour Bottle C and Bottle D together.

Next, take the empty C bottle, fill it with water four times, and pour the water into the C + D bucket each time.

Shake the bottle before each pour to make sure you get all the pigment out.

When both buckets are ready, pour Bucket #1 into Bucket #2 and mix thoroughly.

Step 2: Apply the Original Solid Color Stain

Begin working in small, controlled areas.

  • Apply a small amount of stain to the surface.

  • Re-broom and back-brush the product as it dries.

  • Do not add more material during this step.

This helps the finish dry evenly and creates a solid, opaque color that hides old stains, faded spots, and mismatched concrete tones.

Step 3: Add a Darker Accent Color

Once the base coat is in place, apply a darker CoolStain Pro to the border or band areas.
 Brush off the edges carefully to keep clean lines and create contrast with the lighter solid stain.

Step 4: Apply TiqueWash for an Antiqued Finish

Mix the TiqueWash according to the instructions and spray it over the dried solid color stain.

TiqueWash works by:

  • Running off the high points

  • Settling into the deeper stamped texture

This creates a natural antiqued, two-tone look that enhances the stamped pattern. It dries quickly, so you can move to sealing soon after.

Step 5: Seal and Add Slip Resistance

Protect your work with a sealer.

  1. Apply a smooth, even coat of SmartSeal WB.

  2. After rolling out the sealer, take a Gription bottle with two small holes drilled in the cap.

  3. Shake the Gription like a salt or pepper shaker over the wet sealer.

This spreads slip-resistant grit evenly across the surface.

When finished, move to the next untreated area and apply another thin layer of SmartSeal WB.

Restoring an old pool deck takes careful mixing and steady application—but the result is a clean, bright, and long-lasting finish.

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