How to Stamp an Existing Concrete Walk

You can take a plain, gray concrete walk and turn it into a focal point with concrete stamping. Concrete stamps are forms that press into wet concrete, leaving behind a decorative impression. This stamping technique works well for both new and existing concrete walks. Stamping concrete walks is an easy and fun way to spruce up and revamp the exterior of your home or business. You can stamp your existing concrete walk in just one weekend.

Wire brush
Power washer
Concrete repair caulk
Putty knife
Masking tape
2-by-6-inch wooden boards
Hammer
Nails
Vegetable oil spray
Concrete stamps
Concrete overlay
Wheelbarrow
Power drill with paddle mixer
Concrete float
Mold-release agent
Tamper
Concrete sealer
Long-handled paint roller
Color additive

Instructions

- 1
  Clean loose concrete out of any cracks that may be in the walkway, using a wire brush. Remove all loose particulates and dirt from the concrete walk with a power washer. Allow the concrete walk to dry for two to four hours.
- 2
  Fill all cracks with concrete repair caulk. Use the tip of the caulk nozzle to force as much concrete repair caulk as possible into the cracks. Smooth the concrete repair caulk even and level with the surrounding concrete with a putty knife. Allow all repairs to dry overnight before proceeding.
- 3
  Cover the expansion joints within the concrete walkway with masking tape. Make sure you only cover the gap itself, and not the concrete on either side.
- 4
  Secure 2-by-6-inch wooden boards on either side of the walkway to create walls that keep the concrete overlay from flowing off. Hammer nails into the 2-by-6-inch boards to secure them together on each end, and insert wooden stakes on the backs of the boards to keep them from moving away from the walkway.
- 5
  Spray vegetable oil on the inside of the wooden boards to create a nonstick finish for easy removal later.
- 6
  Lay the concrete stamp forms into the desired pattern on the ground, next to the work area.
- 7
  Mix the concrete overlay in a wheelbarrow, using a power drill and paddle attachment. Continue to mix the overlay according to the product directions until the mixture resembles pancake batter.
- 8
  Pour the overlay onto the walkway and smooth it flat with a concrete float. Allow the concrete overlay to set for 30 minutes.
- 9
  Sprinkle an even coat of mold-release powder over the walkway.
- 10
  Place the first concrete stamp in place and press down on it with a tamper. Repeat this procedure for the remaining stamps in the design pattern. Remove the stamps from the concrete and repeat the procedure for pressing the second row. Continue until you have stamped all the concrete.
- 11
  Allow the concrete to set overnight. Remove the wooden boards from either side of the walkway, and rinse the release agent off the concrete with a power washer.

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Sidewalk Expansion Joint Specs

Walkways