Staining Car Wash Block

[Rudy]

My car wash was constructed almost twenty years ago. The GC made a big mistake by NOT using bricks for the exterior. Instead, colored concrete (1/2 highs) blocks were used instead. They are now badly in need of a makeover.....and solid color STAIN (not paint) was recommended.

As I've read the forum over the years, I've read NOT ONE GOOD THING about painting. How about solid STAIN?

H and C makes the recommended stain.

Anyone try this?

 

[Greg Pack]

I used stain on several I built in the early about ten years ago. I don't own them any longer, but the last time I saw them the exteriors still looked good.

 

[Earl Weiss]

I have a wash, Tunnel and bays where the outside is a white colored brick. At foirst I thought there was dirt on ther outside but after several cleaning attempts I determined the wash water coming thru the mortor joints and brick had taken out the white color leacing a plain cement color and streaking.

I know have glassboard on the interiors so the water won't come thru and I have re done the exterior with a concrete stain from Home Depot. Looks good. I would not use it inside the bays or tunnel.

 

[Rudy]

A "test" area was painted last week (we are only doing the outside, and we're going to do the rear of the building only). It looks great. We wanted to make sure there wasn't anything obvious that needed to be corrected before proceeding.

Since it's "stain" as compared to "paint", we're less concerned about adhesion. The block rapidly "soaked" up the stain....and I think it's there forever.

I'll post some before and after pictures soon.