Exposed Aggregate concrete help

[2515R Dude]

Looking for an advise and TBN collective wisdom.
I hired a concrete contractor to make me a patio with exposed aggregate concrete.
The guy came, poured the concrete, sprayed the retarder, waited about 2 hours, washed and left.
When he was leaving i asked them why there are so many spots covered with the concrete, like 70-80%.
His answer was, it is send and concrete dust which tomorrow you can wash with regular hose. It is not going to harden.
Next morning i could not wash it not with regular hose, nor with jet spray.
I contacted him, he told me he would come later this day. Needless to say he never came, does not answer the phone, texts and such.

The question is: How do i remove a thin layer of the concrete to expose the aggregate?
I tried muriatic acid and KLEEN KREETE - no dice.
Are there any other options?

 

[herm0016]

its just a **** job. sorry.

not sure there is anything you can do about it now.

 

[notaz3]

Bad poor. I would say the way to correct it would be to grind the surface.

 

[Streetcar]

I would try pressure washing the surface. Professional repair would be sandblast

 

[2515R Dude]

I would try pressure washing the surface. Professional repair would be sandblast

How much PSI would work?

 

[Tinhack]

Just use a wire wheel on a grinder to hit what looks like low spots. Then rinse and repeat as needed. What did you think it was going to look like?

 

[ultrarunner]

I’ve used a sponge and rags as the patio dried followed by water and brush/broom…

In time the residue quickly wears off from the polished river aggregate I use.

 

[bigtiller]

Just use a wire wheel on a grinder to hit what looks like low spots. Then rinse and repeat as needed. What did you think it was going to look like?

That was my first thought, and one the contractor should have asked.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I've made a concrete hearth, ground it down, looks like granite, almost...

 

[Streetcar]

How much PSI would work?

I would try as high of psi as I could get. If too abrasive you can get wider spray pattern

 

[Streetcar]

I've made a concrete hearth, ground it down, looks like granite, almost...

Grinding will give a different appearance than the exposed aggregate

 

[2515R Dude]

I would try as high of psi as I could get. If too abrasive you can get wider spray pattern

I tried 1600, nothing. I can rent up to 4400 PSI, it is $100 a day and 1 hour driving, not an issue if it works., but if not, it is another $100 in additional to all the money this jerk stole from me and acid and other things.

 

[2515R Dude]

Grinding will give a different appearance than the exposed aggregate

What tool do I need to grind it? BTW, is it going to be shiny or rough? Do you have any pictures?

 

[2515R Dude]

Just use a wire wheel on a grinder to hit what looks like low spots. Then rinse and repeat as needed. What did you think it was going to look like?

Tried it as well, the wire wheel leaves black/gray/silver metal color on the rocks, looks ugly.

Here is what i was expecting:

Not this:

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Grinding will give a different appearance than the exposed aggregate

Night and day difference.

 

[Streetcar]

What tool do I need to grind it? BTW, is it going to be shiny or rough? Do you have any pictures?

Angle grinder with diamond blade. Surface will be smooth

 

[2515R Dude]

Night and day difference.

Any pictures of the difference? Which one is better looking?

Angle grinder with diamond blade. Surface will be smooth

I have one. The patio is approximately 530sqft. Will i survive at 95F with 85% humidity?

 

[bigtiller]

Tried it as well, the wire wheel leaves black/gray/silver metal color on the rocks, looks ugly.

Here is what i was expecting:

View attachment 811057


Not this:

View attachment 811058

That is two very different methods and I believe your contractor should have known the difference. It's to late now, what you have will never look like what you want.

 

[mikester]

How much PSI would work?

minimum 4,000psi and high volume

do nothing and it will wear naturally over time. if you live in a cold climate salt your walkways if you want the old worn out concrete look faster.

 

[Tinhack]

That is two very different methods and I believe your contractor should have known the difference. It's to late now, what you have will never look like what you want.

Yep. That's two different methods. Did you show your contractor that picture before he started or bid the price? One is the cheap route the other is a loaded aggregate. Typically done by hand and more expensive. You probably got what you paid for. But I wasn't there.