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Materials required:

Fresh patching material, mixing container, piece of blue foam, wood edging tool, acrylic bonding agent, small paintbrush, paper towels or rags, sheet of plastic, duct tape, sand paper, brick cleaner, nylon brush.

Mix a handful of the patching material with just enough water as required to make a paste like consistency.

The repair mix should be as dry as possible, with just enough water so that it will be tightly compacted when forced into place.

Mix with a trowel or wooden tool for 5 minutes until it has reached the stiffest consistency that will allow patching. The color should be approximately the color of the wet stone. If it is too light in color, it may be too wet.

Thoroughly drench the damaged and surrounding areas of the stone with cool water and avoid doing the repair under hot sunshine. With a paintbrush, apply some bonding agent to the damaged area and let stand for 5 minutes.

Metal tools should not be used to apply the material because the metal will sometimes change the color of the patch or draw excess cement to the finish. Shape the patch to the proper contour or square edge of the stone.

After initial set, blend the patching material into the adjacent area with a wooden wedgeor a piece of blue foam.

Shown here is a specially cut wooden corner tool which makes it easier to tool a patch at a corner or edge condition.

After you have achieved the desired finish and shape, cover the patch with a wet rag. Make sure to use a non-colored rag.

Cover wet rag with sheet of plastic.

Seal plastic with tape. The longer you can keep moisture on the patch, the slower it will cure, keeping it from shrinking or cracking.

After the patch has hardened, rub with a piece of #40 grit sandpaper to match the stone finish.

For best results, be sure patch has cured for a minimum of five (5) days before final washdown with a masonry cleaner. Some finishes which contain coloring pigments may require a mild acid wash during cleaning in order to obtain a better color match.

Over a period of months, curing, weathering and ultraviolet bleaching will have a tendency to further blend the finished color of the repair.