I have recently had my driveway poured. They did it in 2 different pours on different days. They poured the 36 yards the first day and the remaining 10 yards a few days later. The first part is a lite gray color. It has several places where you can see the float marks and other imprefections. They were working with it until about 1 am. It was cold that night, temps were around the 30's. It holds up fine we are driving on it. The second pour was done a few days later and it is perfect with a darker gray color. My concrete guys said they will come back fix the float marks. My question is about the color differents is there a coat I can have put on the first part to match the second? Can I stain the entire part? If so how will it hold up with the daily driving on it? Any help would be greatly appericated.

Thanks,
Henry

 

I have a guess as to what went wrong. Since there are a lot of imperfections on the first pour and they were there until late, my guess is that they poured it a bit too wet, and that they had no accelerator in the concrete mix. Then, since they didn't want to be there so late the next time, they added calcium chloride to the second mix to make it set faster. Calcium chloride is a commonly used accelerator, but it makes the concrete darker.
There is probably nothing actually "wrong" with the concrete aside from the aesthetic differences in color. However, the only way you're going to get the two pours to match is to use a pigmented concrete stain over both pours. Essentially, you are painting over it to cover it up. Pigmented stains or sealers are coatings, and as such they require periodic maintenance. How often you'll need to re-apply it depends upon weathering and vehicle traffic wear.
I'm curious as to how they intend to "fix" the imperfections in the first pour. More often than not, patches look as bad or worse than the original problem. They rarely match in color. Good luck with the resolution to your project.

Pecos

 

I was thinking that perhaps this difference in color would disappear once the concrete has fully cured. Since the 2nd pour is darker (and is so fresh that you still can't drive on it), I wonder if it will lighten up as it cures... and that eventually both pads will look pretty much the same.

 

We have been driving on it for a month down. It holds up well. The color differences is what I don't like. Both pours had the same mixture. My wife said "Its just a driveway let it go" but I hate the way it looks.

Thanks for the comments.
Henry

 

I see... I evidentally misunderstood what you were saying! Well, I think that after a full season it may all look the same. Even Abraham was once told to listen to his wife. (Gen 21:12)

 

Different loads of concrete, even with the same mix design, can be different colors. If one load was wetter than the other, it will usually bleach out to a lighter color. Likewise, if one was poured on a wet or damp base and one on a dry base, they will cure differently. Ditto if one was poured on a dry sunny day and one poured on a damp overcast day.
Maybe you will get lucky and they will bleach out the same, but I wouldn't look for it to happen very soon. Good luck.

Pecos

 

Thanks for the comments. I have one more question. If I stain the drive how much upkeep am I looking at? With it being a drive I would think a lot.

Thanks,
Henry

 

It's impossible to tell. It depends on weather, traffic, quality of product, application, etc. However, I would guess you're looking at a minimum of reapplication every 2 years or so. I'd think that the tracks where the tires travel all the time would wear (or at least discolor) fairly quickly. Check and see what the labels say.

Pecos

 

you can apply that'll make both pours the same color IF you mix 'em the same,,, we're not fans of exterior staining but conc dyes might work for you.

all the advice you gotten so far's right on target,,, 'cept in 3 yrs, there'll still be a color difference in the conc even if you stain it,,, its just life w/conc,,, reminds me - have to o'lay my own, too, when the weather warms,,, 2 diff loads, steel trowel marks, finisher's footprints,,, & so it goes,,, at least i don't own a lawnmower or leaf rake :-)