Site Preparation

• 1). Remove all furniture, plants, grills and other items from the patio. Thoroughly sweep the patio, removing all leaves, dirt and debris.
  
  
• 2). Cover all plants, flowers and bushes that are near the patio with plastic. Use a power washer to remove any deeply set stains or grime. Examine the patio for any cracks or damaged areas.
  
  
• 3). Remove all loose cement with an awl or a chisel and mallet. Brush away the debris and spray the crack with a garden hose equipped with a spray nozzle attachment. Allow the crack to dry.
  
  
• 4). Fill cracks that are less than 1/4-inch deep with a cement sealant. This is done with a caulking gun. Smooth out the sealant with a putty knife. A second application may be necessary after it has dried as it may have shrunk down into the crack.
  
  
• 5). Fill cracks that are between 1/4 and 1/2 inch with a pre-mixed, bottled sealant and smooth it out with a putty knife. Repeat the process if it has shrunk down into the crack after drying. Cracks larger than 1/2 inch require mixing concrete and pouring into the crack. After an hour, remove any excess cement and smooth it over with a trowel.
  
  
• 6). Lightly mist the areas and keep them covered with plastic. Allow the repaired areas to dry slowly. This may take a few days.
  
  

Painting

• 1). Pour the cement paint into a paint tray. Apply the first coat of paint using a paint roller equipped with a long handle. Start in one corner and work your way to the opposite corner.
  
  
• 2). Paint tight areas and narrow patio sides with a paint brush. Allow the paint to dry.
  
  
• 3). Apply a second coat. Add paint sealer to the second coat of paint if you want additional protection from the elements. Roll on the paint in a similar fashion. Allow the patio to thoroughly dry before moving back your furniture, potted plants and other items.
  
  

Staining

• 1). Apply the cement stain with a garden sprayer. Be sure it has no metal parts as the acid stain can damage the metal. It should also be rated for acid-based applications.
  
  
• 2). Spray on the stain with a circular spray tip. Work from left to right and then back from right to left. Have another person follow behind scrubbing the stain into the cement using a medium-bristle brush and circular strokes.
  
  
• 3). Make another pass with the sprayer after the scrubbing. This gets rid of any brush marks. Allow the patio to thoroughly dry before moving back your furniture, potted plants and other items.