The Essential Guide to Concrete & Masonry. Question by Guest_9539702: There are 3 concrete steps leading up to my front door. Quikrete sand/topping mix? NOTE: the more water that is added during the mixing process, the weaker the bond strength and compressive strength will be. You can apply the tile to the Thinset liquid resurfacing slurry, but this is only recommended for experts who are use to the fast setting time. that's why we use cement-all OR even more expensive mix,,, w/proper prep & useage, its as permanent as the underlying conc,,, it is more expensive than the op's mention'd mtl but so what if it needs to be redone - how much is that worth ? A thicker mixture is created with Thinset powder and a latex additive. Freezing conditions will make it peel off. BTW, is this even necessary? Mix your skim coat mixture with a low-speed drill. just make certain they're in good repair prior to resurfacing,,, imhpo, not much is good from the apron/vest store if you want quality conc sealing - find some prosoco,,, you can't get a smooth finish as it contains aggregate nor would you want a smooth finish on steps, this is a just-add-water mix so there's no 'milk' / 'cream' as in regular concrete,,, polymers make these materials different,,, typically they can be installed w/trowel, squeegee, or even a broom,,, i'd guess our avg thickness is less than 1/16" to no more tha- 1/8". Remove the dust created by sanding. If you plan to resurface only part of a larger slab, be aware that it is hard to match colors. The goal is to have it spreadable, but not soupy or runny. I want to do exact same with my steps but go the extra step of priming the surface. Is the Cement-all in box different from the bag? 22 July 2020. Whether you have cracks, chips or just a stained concrete slab, Thinset helps cover the old surface and create a new problem-free area. The process involves applying a layer of cement over the concrete block wall to cover grout lines or stains and give the surface a smooth appearance. With this method of how to retexture a wall, you don't just spot-prime; … Applying a skim coat to obtain a smooth surface can be left natural or coloured with stain especially made for concrete. Add a second coat as needed while the first coat is still wet to ensure that the concrete has a smooth, finished appearance. Allow the Thinset to dry for 15 to 20 minutes before walking on the surface. Skim … Start by Prepping the Walls. Or prepping and repainting the entire surface. But they can be tinted with colorants made specifically for concrete products. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. If these steps are outside in freezing weather I would not expect it to last more than a couple of years. Wear eye protection and a mask to protect yourself from debris. Is there a specific product I should use? First, do I need to use a metal screen on it like if I were applying stucco, second, the steps had been painted previously, can I go right over the paint with concrete or will it not bond. Next, simply pour then spread with a long handled squeegee. Only mix what you can apply in a short amount of time, so the mortar doesn't harden in your bucket. See how I transformed my dated kitchen with skim coat concrete counters. With an overlay, you can give worn, lackluster concrete a decorative makeover or restore it to like-new condition in … Parts of it are crumbling. My concrete steps have been patched in a few spots in the past, and it has since looked spotty, since the new cement patches didn't quite match the old concrete. Step 1: Prep the Room While the easiest surfaces to apply this product to are smooth ones (think concrete board), SureCrete bonds to almost anything (Bobby once covered a marble fireplace for us). The level of “sheen” expected by the customer will dictate the repeated steps Cut out a piece of plywood that can cover the length and width of your concrete step. JavaScript is disabled. Keith Dooley has done work in the field of landscaping and design for more than 10 years. Spread the resurfacer until it's between 1/8 and ¼ inch thick. If your patio, driveway, or other concrete slab is falling apart and losing its appeal then you need to give it a facelift. Come join the discussion about tools, projects, builds, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Skimming a wall isn't easy but if done properly will give you a smooth finish for painting or decorating. And design for more than a couple of years water then remove any standing water from low places leading... 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