Acid stain of patio can reveal unsightly concrete imperfections

Q. I had my patio power washed and acid stained. The acid stain turned out horribly, very uneven, etc. I need to do something, and I can't afford to spend $3,000 to $5,000. My remaining budget is in the $1,000 neighborhood. I was thinking of painting it and was wondering if you had any advice regarding cement paints. It seems each company has its own procedure for what needs to be done for prep work: Some suggest a primer to ensure the paint adheres; others say primer is included in the paint. I would like the highest-quality paint that will last the longest. It is a high traffic area, and any advice you can provide would be much appreciated.

The acid-stain manufacturer told me that I need to neutralize the acid with baking soda and then I can paint over it.

A. The photo you sent shows several different types of stains. The problem with the application of an acid stain is that it is uncontrollable. Anything that was spilled on the patio, even if wiped off immediately and having left no stain, is likely to show up after the acid stain has been applied.