It is a good idea to have one person mixing, one pouring and one spreading. Mix the Thinset according to the directions. Skim-coating or resurfacing concrete patios, walkways, driveways, walls and stairs not only renews their appearance, but it extends their lifespan by improving drainage and waterproofing. Examine the concrete steps to ensure they are not too decayed. I've got concrete steps leading down to my basement from outside. Is the Cement-all in box different from the bag? If you plan to resurface only part of a larger slab, be aware that it is hard to match colors. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The mix sets up within 10 to 15 minutes, so you must enlist some help in order to complete the project properly. Keith Dooley has done work in the field of landscaping and design for more than 10 years. Once complete, a thicker mortar is applied if you want to add tile to the surface. Pour the QUIKRETE® Concrete Resurfacer and simply apply the Concrete Resurfacer using a long handled squeegee. Add a second coat as needed while the first coat is still wet to ensure that the concrete has a smooth, finished appearance. The new concrete must also be sealed, which costs $20 to $80 per gallon.. From concrete driveways to walkways to patios, most homes have concrete … You will need a big plastic mixing bucket. And 10 months ago (back when I thought I was going to be totally awesome at DIY and the whole reno would take 3 months), I figured that I could handle making concrete countertops. Spread the resurfacer until it's between 1/8 and ¼ inch thick. What product to skim coat concrete steps? moist concrete with RH of 95% or 15 lbs. Skim … Question by Guest_9539702: There are 3 concrete steps leading up to my front door. Add the Skim Coat. Work the Concrete Into the Pores. Also you don't have all day with it, sets in 15 min. Is there a specific product I should use? Concrete overlays are an alternative to breaking out and replacing an existing concrete slab, which can be expensive, messy, disruptive, and time-consuming. Repeat the process to cover the surface with tile, leaving a one-quarter-inch gap between the tiles for grout application. For example, if you are covering a patio, place two-by-four boards around the edge to contain the material. A skim coat is a thin coat of joint compound—also known as mud—that you can use to repair or smooth out an area on a wall.[v161483_b01]. “It basically took us a day to screw all the sheets on, and, in our case, we also used metal trim around the fireplace to give it a nice finish where the sheets ended,” says Dan. Welcome to my budget-friendly kitchen remodel, and my latest DIY project: skim coat concrete counters.Over the past year or so, I have poured my heart and soul into this DIY mini remodel: Combine the concrete in a ratio of about 1 part water to 7 parts concrete, then mix it with a wooden mixing stick or electric paddle mixer until it reaches a uniform liquid consistency. I'm talking like 1/32". 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 ? Use gloves when applying the Thinset liquid bonding slurry. I want to do exact same with my steps but go the extra step of priming the surface. Sweep off debris and clean stains as best you can. 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. Quikrete mason's mix? Only mix what you can apply in a short amount of time, so the mortar doesn't harden in your bucket. Sand the surface of the first coat of SKIM COAT by hand, using #80–#100 drywall sand paper in a sanding block. With an overlay, you can give worn, lackluster concrete a decorative makeover or restore it to like-new condition in … Skimming a wall isn't easy but if done properly will give you a smooth finish for painting or decorating. Wear eye protection and a mask to protect yourself from debris. A very important step, taught to me by a very old and wise concrete mason decades ago, is to apply a very thin coat of cement paint to the old concrete before applying the … A number of tools and materials are available to do-it-yourselfers that, in most cases, make skim coating preferable to demolishing and replacing old, damaged concrete. Helping You to Do It Yourself! A thicker mixture is created with Thinset powder and a latex additive. 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). When repairing or resurfacing concrete steps, make sure the surface doesn’t become too smooth. The scratch coat is a layer of wet concrete mixed to a liquid consistency similar to paint. That’s pretty much it. 247 Posts . What about sealing/stabilize the old surface? The Essential Guide to Concrete & Masonry. For moisture sensitive floor coverings refer to the finished floor manufacturer’s specifications on moisture limitations. A high-speed drill will whip air bubbles into the mixture, which will pop as the skim coat dries on your chosen surface, leaving pin holes behind. 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. Quikrete sand/topping mix? per 1,000 sq. Nationally, the average cost for concrete resurfacing is $3 to $10 per square foot, depending on the condition of the original concrete and local labor costs.For smaller projects, some contractors charge a flat fee of at least $500 to $1,000. Place a smooth edge at the ends of the area where you are pouring the Thinset, so it doesn't spread into another location. But they can be tinted with colorants made specifically for concrete products. Can I skim coat the steps? Start by Prepping the Walls. Add water in small amounts and aim for a consistency just this side of thick peanut butter. How much will it cost to have step repair ... then skim coating with the grout to make the surface all the same, more like $250-400 range. Use … Spread the mortar with a notched trowel, allowing the notches to lightly scrape the concrete below. How to Skim a Wall Yourself - Step by Step Guide. For a slip … Start with proper surface preparation and move on to creating a durable, attra… See how I transformed my dated kitchen with skim coat concrete counters. Repeat the SKIM COAT application step. Trowel Out the Resurfacer. Cut out a piece of plywood that can cover the length and width of your concrete step. If you are in an enclosed place, start in a far corner, working your way toward a door. ft. per 24 hours. cement-all in the blue box's much better impo however its white - get some gray pigment from sher wms to color it grey - that's our method. Whether you have cracks, chips or just a stained concrete slab, Thinset helps cover the old surface and create a new problem-free area. With this method of how to retexture a wall, you don't just spot-prime; … Skim Coat Resurfacing and Broom Finishes: This is an application most concrete contractors would like to believe is possible, yet still have a high level of pessimism towards the success and long term durability of the application. Pour the Thinset over the concrete. Or prepping and repainting the entire surface. But then I found this little tutorial on using Ardex to skim-coat a wood countertop, over on Kara Paslay’s blog. NOTE: the more water that is added during the mixing process, the weaker the bond strength and compressive strength will be. JavaScript is disabled. This guide will give you a better understanding of this trending material and help you: Recognize opportunities to specify concrete coatings; Have a solid foundation of knowledge to select the proper coating for any project; Become comfortable with concrete- and masonry-specific terminology and processes New concrete looks new, and old concrete looks old. Go one step further and create the look of stone or brick, at the fraction of the cost, whether it's a sidewalk, front porch or patio. I've tried power washing, muriatic acid, and industrial degreaser to get this stuff off with no luck, so I think my only option is to resurface the steps. This step by step guide will show you how to skim an internal wall in your home and achieve a high quality finish. The thin mix is laid over the old concrete, slipping into cracks and crevices, hardening quickly into a smooth surface. Mix your skim coat mixture with a low-speed drill. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. For a stronger bond, mix 1 part Thinset with 1 part Hy-Speed 500 powder into a slurry and brush a thin coat on the surface as a bonding agent. Applying a skim coat of cement is useful for giving new life to concrete surfaces that have pitted or cracked over the years, but it is also useful for covering mason block walls in preparation for a ceramic tile or natural stone installation. If your patio, driveway, or other concrete slab is falling apart and losing its appeal then you need to give it a facelift. Prepare the Concrete Patch Mix. how do you cover old concrete steps with wood? I spilled a whole quart of dark wood stain on concrete steps. Allow the Thinset to dry for 15 to 20 minutes before walking on the surface. 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. Brush the surface with a masonry brush or concrete finishing brush . cement needs to be consistency of peanut butter. This DIY decor project can easily be completed in just a weekend. For oil spots that won't come up, chip the concrete with a chisel to remove. Mix a Thinset mortar to attach tile to the surface if desired. 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". VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. 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