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How to Cover Up the White Color After Cleaning a Concrete Driveway

Concrete is a finicky substance. It’s held together by delicate chemical bonds, yet it forms a hard, seemingly impenetrable surface. Because of the many chemicals holding it together, cleaning it with bleach or bleach-based cleaning solutions can lead to white discolorations on your driveway. These discolorations are actually areas where the concrete is beginning to break down on the surface due to a reaction between the concrete and the bleach. Before covering the discolorations, first attempt to remove them.

Things You'll Need

  • Rubber gloves
  • Undiluted vinegar
  • Phosphoric acid-based cleaner
  • Water
  • Bucket
  • Rags
  • Acrylic concrete stain
  • Small bowl
  • Paintbrush
  • Airbrush
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Instructions

  1. Removing Discolorations

    • 1

      Put on gloves to protect your hands while mixing and applying the cleaner.

    • 2

      Combine 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of phosphoric acid-based cleaner with 19 cups of water in a large bucket.

    • 3

      Soak the rags in the solution and lay them over the stains. Allow the solution to soak into the concrete for 15 minutes. Rinse with clean water and reapply if necessary.

    Applying Concrete Stain

    • 4

      Pour an inch of acrylic concrete stain into a small bowl.

    • 5

      Dip the paintbrush into the stain and apply it to discolored sections of concrete. Larger sections can be spray painted with an airbrush to save time and allow for more even coverage. Cover with a tarp to protect the stain while drying.

    • 6

      Allow to dry overnight. Apply an additional coat or two of stain, if necessary. Don't drive over the newly painted surface for at least a week.