The slab is in good condition. I've thought about mudjacking but I'm worried that it would be too expensive and I really don't want the patched holes. The plan was to level the patio and then cover it with pavers. Then I saw some of the concrete artwork and I've pretty much decide to do that instead.

I would charge you at least $8.50 for removal and then a stamped job. Removal is not as easy as it sounds and the grinding wheels are not cheap either. If you are in IN are you using elite crete brand by any chance? I love their products, they are headquartered there near Valparaiso I believe. Their colors have so much more depth than other brands we've used. Hope you can post pix when done. Did SW offer to do anything about the chipping? Take care, Barb

6K is below the product cost if you need to buy enough of that product to account for 1" out of level in several places in a 2000 sf home. Plus, the prep instructions require pressure washing, which you do NOT want to do inside a home that's not completely gutted. 6K is a bargain for the work you need done. By a pro.

Any chance it is just layers of gray concrete paint? If you truly want to know what it is, you might use a knife you no longer like or a hatchet or other yard/garden tool you don't mind potentially nicking to whack a small piece off and take it to your local building supply store. Even if whatever it proves to be will not come off easily, I'm guessing that if any "slick" feel is removed from a veneer, a new covering might stand a better chance of adhering to it. If, however, the color is already peeling, at least try to get it all off the top lest anything you might add to it also peels off. You could outline the sides with pavers and would not need to "clean" whatever the gray is from off the sides -- avoiding that might keep from damaging your lawn/soil with chemicals -- damage can last multiple seasons. Gasoline is dangerous and even if not ignited, it can kill your grass and soak into your soil and keep anything from growing there a while. You need to be very careful trying to "clean" with it -- no wire brush ever -- no sparks anywhere near it ever. However. However. One way to see if the color/finish is paint might be to put a large spoonful of gasoline from your mower supply in the middle of the sidewalk and with a stiff plastic brush scrub a very small circle with it..