[BuenPatron]

I spilled purple primer on a sealed concrete pool patio. I tried to clean it with what I had handy: Coca-Cola, a bandana, and some hydrochloric acid (a tiny dab on the bandana). It faded a little but I didn't want to burn a hole in the concrete.

The stain is about the size of a playing card, if that matters.

They're having a wedding there in two weeks.

Acetone?

[Stonehenge]

Can you replace the single paverwith the stain? That would seem to be less work and trips to local stores than to try different things to get the stain out.

[BuenPatron]

It's on a poured concrete patio. Plus, being a gardener and not a hardscaper (or an irrigation guy, for that matter) I would have no idea how to go about replacing concrete. D'oh!

[Stonehenge]

I was thinking concrete pavers when I read it. My bad.

You can try bleach or pressure washing, though be careful with a pressure washer - you can etch the concrete worse than if you used acid.

[BuenPatron]

Thanks. I'll let you know.

[HRLand]

I don't know if it will work on primer but I used rust remover from Seal King and it made my pavers look brand new.

[Matt Kulp]

Try Simple Green sold in any hardware store. Spray it down and let it soak for about 15 min and then power wash or scrub with a wire brush. We had a major incident involving mulch dye, concrete, stucco, flagstone, and clay pavers and the simple green worked when nothing else would. I would tell the story about the stains, but I don't have all day. It was worth a couple sleepless nights!!!

[BuenPatron]

Okay. Coupla weeks ago I told Stonehenge I'd let him know. And I must say I was glad to get Kulp's Simple Green idea, 'cause I'm always in favor of a green solution...

The Simple Green worked, but not great. But at the Home Depot I also picked up a small can of stripper, which worked great. I cleaned that up with a bit o' thinner (less than a capful of all ingredients, put together).

Total cleanup time was less than five minutes, except for the driving. Now there's a small spot on the deck with a matte finish, only visible when the light is right.

When I'm feeling lucky again, we'll tackle that.

Thanks, guys!