Painting a patio Post your questions and find answers on all garden related topics and areas

[dee6jay]

We have inherited a perfectly sound patio of paving slabs which were originally coloured (yorkstone to match the path which was done much later apparently!) but have now faded to a dull concrete grey. Is there a paint we could use to re-colour them? I had thought of using exterior masonry paint after first cleaning and priming the slabs and sealing with a patio sealer, but don't know if this would be durable enough for a patio.
I have seen that Ronseal do some special patio paint, but it only comes in 3 colours!
If this won't work has anyone got any ideas as to what will?
It would be silly to dig up and relay as there is nothing wrong with it, it just looks drab.

[welsh brickie]

I would not paint patio
Try using high pressure washer ,and an acid solution all available from
local builders merchant.
Follow instructions on acid cleaner and use appropriate safety equipment.
It will bring it up like new..

[dee6jay]

Thanks for the advice, but i think that the problem is that the colour has washed away, it's not obscured by dirt etc. Patio cleaning just makes it cleaner but does not restore the colour. I have been told that excessive use of patio cleaning products and high pressure water just makes artificially coloured slabs lose their colour faster, but I may be wrong?!