Avoiding a Dusty Mess When Removing Release Powder

When cleaning release powder from concrete surfaces after stamping, removing and disposing of the residual powder is always a dusty and dirty mess. During one of my seminars on troubleshooting decorative concrete at the World of Concrete in Las Vegas, an audience member shared the following trick for removing release powder without the mess. I was so intrigued by the method he shared that I recently tried it, and can report that it works great! I never caught the gentleman’s name, so I can’t give him the proper credit for such a creative and helpful hint. Whoever you are, thanks!

Take any fine-grade silica sand, and mix with water to create a heavy, stiff paste. Apply this paste randomly to the stamped surface. Then with a stiff broom or walk-behind scrubber, scrub the surface with the sand paste. The wet sand grabs the release powder, eliminating any dust, and also acts as a grit to help scrub the surface while removing the release powder. Depending on the color and amount of release on the surface, the process may need to be repeated several times to achieve the desired look. When I tried this method, one pass was all that was necessary to obtain a clean stamped surface. The sand containing the release powder can easily be washed off with a hose or power washer or left to dry and vacuumed up with a wet/dry vac.