Mismatched paving stones can distract from an otherwise pristine garden, but sometimes finding pavers that match just isn’t possible. That said, there is a cheap and super easy way to fix them. All you’ll need is a can of matte spray paint the color of the rest of your garden pavers.
Whether something has happened to one or two of your paving stones and you’re not keen to splurge on a whole new set, or you’re planning on extending your pathway and the original pavers you used are no longer available, there are plenty of reasons why we end up with mismatched stones. However, that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a multi-hued path. Solving the problem of a mismatched paving stone is as simple as spraying it the color of your original set.
To ensure everything looks as professional as possible, you’ll also want to look into how to clean your stones to get them prepped for painting. If you’ve had to purchase a few new stones, you may get away with wiping them down with a damp cloth. However, if they’ve been outside gathering dust and exposed to the elements, you may also want to clean the pavers with a pressure washer, or a mixture of water and vinegar — just be sure to check that the stone won’t be damaged by it. Once you have the paint and your stone is clean, you’re already halfway there.
Spray the mismatched stones the color of the originals
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When it comes to selecting a spray paint for your paving stones, the chief thing to keep in mind is that it should be as close to the color of your original paving stones as possible. It should also offer a similar sheen — which, for a paving stone, is generally a matte option. Again, you’ll have to make the call based on what your particular stones look like; one option is Krylon’s All-In-One spray paint, available at Walmart for just under $7. That said, if you have paint left over from a past project that you think might work, you could always use that instead.
Once you have the paint you want to use, simply spray the cleaned mismatched paving stones with it. If you’re planning on putting them into a sunny spot, it’s not a bad idea to weatherproof the outdoor fixture using something like Krylon’s UV-Resistant Clear Coating, which is not quite $22 on Walmart’s website. That’ll protect the newly painted stone from being damaged by the sun, which could lead to discoloration — the last thing you want when you’re trying to keep your pavers from looking mismatched.
When everything looks cohesive and you’ve weatherproofed, it’s time to put the stones back into place. Ideally, they’ll look seamless enough that no one will ever know you had to paint the stones yourself.
You may need to spray your original pavers, too
Not managing to find the perfect shade of spray paint that helps all your pavers blend seamlessly? No problem. If worse comes to worst, you can always create the impression that everything came from the same set by repainting the originals, too.
It’s likely your original paving stones have been exposed to the elements way longer than your new, mismatched additions, so be sure to clean them thoroughly to ensure the paint goes on as evenly as possible. Then, go through the same process you did for the other pavers. One thing worth keeping in mind is that it’s easier to go darker than it is lighter, so opt for something at least one shade darker than the darker pavers, be they the originals or your newer additions. The lighter stones may also need a coat or two extra for everything to be the same shade.
Once everything has been painted the same shade, you can place your pavers as they were, or get innovative with them and create a whole new walkway design. And, the great part is, if you decide to add more in a few years, you won’t need to worry about finding perfectly matched pavers. Not bad for a can of spray paint and some UV protection.
