How to Clean and Refinish an Outdoor Shuffle Court

The exact steps you’ll need to take to refinish an outdoor shuffle court will depend on the condition of the concrete and whether or not you need to touch up or repaint the court itself.  Most repairs will fall somewhere into the steps listed below, so pick up where you need to and the result should be a beautiful new shuffleboard court.

You Will Need:

• Power washer
• Water
• Hose
• Muriatic acid
• Protective wear
• Bucket
• Soap
• Mop or
• Old cloths

Steps to Clean the Concrete Surface:

1. Check the surface for damaged areas prior to cleaning. Cleaning concrete takes powerful materials and/or pressure to remove the surface dirt and stains. If there are weak or damaged areas, they will become more damaged.
2. Repair any damaged or weak areas or have a professional repair them for you.
3. If the surface is painted and/or in good condition, a light cleaning may be all that’s needed. For instructions on this, see our guide How to Clean Concrete Floors.
4. The easiest way to remove surface dirt and stains is with a power washer. These machines can be rented from many tool rental and home improvement stores.
5. Follow the use instructions provided with the machine.
6. Start with a low pressure and work up as needed to remove the stains. Starting too high may cause unnecessary damage.
7. If the stains remain, it will require a stronger cleaning method – acid. Muriatic acid etches the surface of the concrete which removes the stains and dirt.
8. Protect yourself with protective gloves and eyewear. Acid is strong and can cause harm to yourself if proper precautions are not taken. Take steps to exclude your pets as well.
9. Start by mixing a weak solution of 1 part acid to 4 parts water in a bucket. Always add the acid to the water. Do not add water to acid.
10. Apply a layer to the surface with an old mop or cloths.
11. Rinse immediately with a hose until the acid is removed.
12. Work in small areas to keep the job under control.
13. Once the area is clean, wash it with regular soap and water to remove any remaining acid residue.

You Will Need:

• Arizona Gold Stripper
• Arizona Gold Sealer
• Arizona Gold Wax

Steps to Refinish the Shuffleboard Court:

1. Start this project after it has not rained for at least 24-48 hours.
2. Make sure the court is completely dry.
3. Apply Arizona Gold Stripper.  It’s a concentrate and must be diluted according to the instructions.
4. Allow the court to dry before continuing.
5. Add Arizona Gold Sealer according the label directions.  In most cases, 1-2 coats are necessary.
6. Allow the sealer to set.  Drying time is approximately 45 minutes between coats.
7. Apply Arizona Gold Wax on top of the sealer.  Use 1-2 coats as necessary.
8. Allow to dry.  The final result should be a smooth, glass-like finish.

• Do not walk on your shuffleboard court.  They are extremely slippery!
• Arizona Gold products are specifically designed for shuffleboard courts.  If you choose another concrete sealer or wax that is not designed for shuffleboard, be aware that it may not be as slick.
• In most cases, a buffer is not needed to repair the shuffleboard court.  If you choose to buff it, follow with a new coat of wax.
• Store the stripper, sealer, and wax at room temperature.  Extreme cold or heat can ruin their effectiveness.
• If the concrete is in disrepair, it’s time to call in a professional.  Just patching cracks or other damage seldom works because it does not fix the problem that caused them.  After the concrete is repaired and cured, wash it with Muriatic acid, rinse with water, and allow to dry.  You will then need to reapply the stain before adding the finish.