Tools/Material:

• Patch kit supplied by VSI or grinding up left over stone material from the same job.
• Non staining acrylic concrete bonding agent, which can be obtained at any building supply store.
• Clean water
• Mixing container
• Spray Bottle
• Plastic, wood or stainless steel trowel
• Sponge
• Blue painters tape
• Damp cloth

Procedure:

1. Mix a small amount of patch material (1 part white cement & 3 parts aggregate) with enough water to make it ball up without leaving a paste on your hand. This mixture should be really dry.
2. Add a small amount of the concrete bonding agent to the mix. Stir the patching mix for 3-5 minutes. at any building supply store.
3. Soak the area to be patched and the surrounding area with a spray bottle.
4. Apply some of the bonding agent to the area to be patched.
5. Press the patch mixture into the damaged area with a trowel and smoothen the patch to match the surface texture of the stone. Too much tooling will create a slick surface.
6. After the initial set, rub the patch with a sponge or sand paper to achieve a sugar cube finish.
7. Cover the patch with a damp cloth or burlap for 24 hours to keep from drying out too fast.
8. Wash down with a masonry cleaner once the stone patch has cured out, usually 5-7 days.
9. It can take up to 12 months for a patch to match the color of the surrounding area, depending on the climate.