Solid Staining My Driveway?

Good Morning Everyone:
I am looking to do a solid stain on my driveway. It was never painted or stained since we had the house built in 05. It has been powerwashed many many times. Do I need to do an etching for this, or just a powerwash, dry, then stain? Is a bonder/primer necessary or overkill? I also have a walkway and front patio that we stained back in 2012 and we want to match that to the driveway stain, so do I need to etch the prestained walkway or just stain over that. Many thanks to all. I always get such precise answers for all my projects from here, that's why I love this place.

 

If the driveway has never been stained, sealed or painted it should not need to be etched but follow the manufacturers instructions for the product you choose. I think the hardest part will be trying to match the color of the walkway that already has been baked by the sun for 3+ years. I would test a small inconspicuous area first to make sure you like the color match/mismatch. Consider making the two areas intentionally different colors instead of trying to get an exact match.

 

About the only time concrete needs to be etched prior to applying a coating is when the concrete is slick finished. While I've stained a few driveways I try to discourage customers from doing so as the tire traffic will wear away any coating you apply. With the fla sun I'm sure the existing stain has faded so you'd either need to restain it or go with PD's suggestion of complimentary colors.

 

We are going to do a "Dapper Tan" on the dway(never stained/painted), but the walkway and patio was stained a few years back. Going to stain all area's the Dapper Tan. So do I just stain over what has been stained previously, or do I need to a bonder/primer? Same question for the dway. Many thanks.

 

Generally you can restain over existing stain provided it is clean but that can change depending on which stain was used. Normally stains do not require a primer. The label/manufacture normally has the last say about recoating and application methods

 

which are you considering - acid OR water-bas'd ? acid reacts w/conc's 'free lime' content & the mineral salts impart color to it whereas wtr just colors the surface,,, we never stain a dry conc surface,,, if you're desirous of a solid color w/o antiqued or mottled final look, coatings work best,,, don't forget you'll need an uv-resistant sealer when done to protect color