I heard you should paint it with natural yoghurt but I've not tried it. Maybe someone else has a better idea.

thats what I used-- took a while but its nice now

Yep you heard right natural yoghurt!

I agree natural yoghurt is the one.

I like that idea, I've just bought a stone table and benches and they are so 'new' looking, it may take several tubs thou!!!. thanks folks

I put yogurt mixed with a little compost on mine and never clean them.

That's a good idea, might work for me adding some compost. I'd rather eat the yoghurt but that would sure stop me! I did buy some once intending to try it on Albert (my little stone old man) but I ate it....!

Time, the elements and lichen are what really ages containers SB, but I found a very small amount of yogurt with compost helped speed it up. Someone once suggest cold tea to age them but I have not tried that.