Thread: Patio Stain Removal Help

Gentlemen,

I need your help before SWMBO blows a gasket. We have a red terracotta colored patio and without going into details of why or how, I spilled some vinegar on the patio. Now I have white spots all over and I am wondering if any of you know a good method of removing the offending stains. I have already tried ample water and elbow grease to no avail. Your help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

There's a good chance the vinegar has "bleached"/eaten the finish off of it. Perhaps you can colour match it with some stain?

Runn as fast as you can, grab your car keys and all the credit cards. I have a fake passport waiting for you at the airport. Your new name Soloman Wilson....God speed my friend....God speed...

Individual paving stones? Turn them over.
OR:
There is a CLR product - I don't remember the proper name but it something like 'Grease Be Gone'. It works well for grease stains. I don't know if it will work for vinegar.

If none of that works scrub the entire patio with vinegar and when she asks why the patio is all white just say "Why, hasn't always been like that?"

So here's a picture of one the worst areas. I think I'll go give it another try to clean it up.

Terra Cotta has no glaze or finish on it so the stuff eats right into the stone. I'm afraid their toast. Either turn them over or replace them.

The patio is actually a poured slab of concrete with the terracotta color mixed in right from the beginning, so it's the same color throughout the entire slab. This morning I tried hot, soapy water and a stiff brush with no luck. Then I tried a mixture of water and baking sodium, aka sodium bicarbonate for the chemistry nerds among us-me being one of them, figuring the whole acid/base thing might work...nope. Well the offending stains look a little better. Do you think using a pressure washer might help?

I'm in the middle of staining my concrete floors and feel knowledgeable enough to help. The vinegar "etched" the terra cotta and bound with whatever mineral is in it,(earthen?). It's not going to wash out.

Originally Posted by JohnnyCakeDC

I'm in the middle of staining my concrete floors and feel knowledgeable enough to help. The vinegar "etched" the terra cotta and bound with whatever mineral is in it,(earthen?). It's not going to wash out.

Thanks for the input, do you think sanding might be an option, or will mother nature just need to runs its course? The reason I ask is a few years ago I was charging a car battery on the same patio, spilled some battery acid on it, got similar stains, but eventually they have mostly disappeared-I really have to looked hard to see where they once were.

Originally Posted by ReardenSteel

Thanks for the input, do you think sanding might be an option, or will mother nature just need to runs its course? The reason I ask is a few years ago I was charging a car battery on the same patio, spilled some battery acid on it, got similar stains, but eventually they have mostly disappeared-I really have to looked hard to see where they once were.

Sanding or grinding with maybe a cup grinder is the only option I would think would work. If I may suggest, maybe you should seal the terra cotta with an epoxy sealant so no more stains could happen. Here's a link I'm looking at just now. Maybe you can find some info here. Good luck
How To Stain Concrete Floors - Concrete Stain - Stain for Concrete