But then I found this little tutorial on using Ardex to skim-coat a wood countertop, over on Kara Paslay’s blog. Applying a skim coat to obtain a smooth surface can be left natural or coloured with stain especially made for concrete. 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]. Prepare the Concrete Patch Mix. You will need a big plastic mixing bucket. “Let that dry overnight and then you can start doing the full skim coat.” Step 4: Skim Coat the Entire Surface photo courtesy of joinery and design co. You must work fast to coat the entire area and avoid creating seams in the concrete from one batch to the next, and for that reason, it is a good idea to enlist the aid of a few friends in order to do it right. 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. Use … For a slip … Freezing conditions will make it peel off. 247 Posts . BTW, is this even necessary? I'm talking like 1/32". 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. Sweep off debris and clean stains as best you can. cement needs to be consistency of peanut butter. This DIY decor project can easily be completed in just a weekend. If you plan to resurface only part of a larger slab, be aware that it is hard to match colors. moist concrete with RH of 95% or 15 lbs. 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. I'd like to go over the whole set of stairs with a coat of concrete. Place a smooth edge at the ends of the area where you are pouring the Thinset, so it doesn't spread into another location. He has implemented his own designs, as well as pulled from techniques learned through studies, creating many landscapes for others to enjoy.He has also maintained lawns, athletic fields, town parks, large gardens and game fields. 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. Work the Concrete Into the Pores. Work quickly to spread the Thinset with a trowel, smoothing it out. 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 … 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. Question by Guest_9539702: There are 3 concrete steps leading up to my front door. Concrete resurfacers are only available in one color—ordinary gray. 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. It is a good idea to have one person mixing, one pouring and one spreading. Instructions for Mixing Mix only as much TEC® Skill Set™Skimcoat and Patch as can be used in 10-15 minutes. The scratch coat is a layer of wet concrete mixed to a liquid consistency similar to paint. Add the Skim Coat. Start with proper surface preparation and move on to creating a durable, attra… A forum community dedicated to Do it yourself-ers and home improvement enthusiasts. 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? Saturate the surface with water then remove any standing water from low places. Quikrete sand/topping mix? The top step is broken and chipped. The Essential Guide to Concrete & Masonry. With this method of how to retexture a wall, you don't just spot-prime; … I spilled a whole quart of dark wood stain on concrete steps. Next, simply pour then spread with a long handled squeegee. Allow the Thinset to dry for 15 to 20 minutes before walking on the surface. JavaScript is disabled. 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: Pour the Thinset over the concrete. 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. 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 example, if you are covering a patio, place two-by-four boards around the edge to contain the material. 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. Mix a Thinset mortar to attach tile to the surface if desired. Spread the resurfacer until it's between 1/8 and ¼ inch thick. Use concrete … I want to do exact same with my steps but go the extra step of priming the surface. 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 Parts of it are crumbling. When repairing or resurfacing concrete steps, make sure the surface doesn’t become too smooth. If these steps are outside in freezing weather I would not expect it to last more than a couple of years. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. What about sealing/stabilize the old surface? Helping You to Do It Yourself! 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". With an overlay, you can give worn, lackluster concrete a decorative makeover or restore it to like-new condition in … 22 July 2020. The level of “sheen” expected by the customer will dictate the repeated steps Sanding is intended to remove imperfections in the SKIM COAT surface. How to Get the Pebble Look on Concrete Slab, How to Remove Rust Stains From Ceramic Tile Grouting, How to Use Thinset to Make a Design on Concrete, How to Mix Weldbond Adhesive With Grout for Mosaics. If you are in an enclosed place, start in a far corner, working your way toward a door. But they can be tinted with colorants made specifically for concrete products. Brush the surface with a masonry brush or concrete finishing brush . Keith Dooley has done work in the field of landscaping and design for more than 10 years. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Use gloves when applying the Thinset liquid bonding slurry. Pour the QUIKRETE® Concrete Resurfacer and simply apply the Concrete Resurfacer using a long handled squeegee. How to Cover Concrete Steps With Wood. Is the Cement-all in box different from the bag? If you are in an enclosed place, start in a far corner, working … Examine the concrete steps to ensure they are not too decayed. Measure the width and the depth of the concrete steps. © 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. Add water in small amounts and aim for a consistency just this side of thick peanut butter. Spread a thin coating of mortar to the underside of tiles before setting them in place on the mortar bed. 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 Concrete overlays are an alternative to breaking out and replacing an existing concrete slab, which can be expensive, messy, disruptive, and time-consuming. “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. Mix your skim coat mixture with a low-speed drill. 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. Repeat the process to cover the surface with tile, leaving a one-quarter-inch gap between the tiles for grout application. so you need to have a plan before you start. Add a second coat as needed while the first coat is still wet to ensure that the concrete has a smooth, finished appearance. For oil spots that won't come up, chip the concrete with a chisel to remove. A thicker mixture is created with Thinset powder and a latex additive. The goal is to have it spreadable, but not soupy or runny. 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. Also you don't have all day with it, sets in 15 min. If your patio, driveway, or other concrete slab is falling apart and losing its appeal then you need to give it a facelift. Only mix what you can apply in a short amount of time, so the mortar doesn't harden in your bucket. Mix the Thinset according to the directions. The thin mix is laid over the old concrete, slipping into cracks and crevices, hardening quickly into a smooth surface. Discussion Starter • #1 • Nov 11, 2015. ft. per 24 hours. NOTE: the more water that is added during the mixing process, the weaker the bond strength and compressive strength will be. Trowel Out the Resurfacer. Once dry, mix the Thinset as directed for the finished coat. Whether you have cracks, chips or just a stained concrete slab, Thinset helps cover the old surface and create a new problem-free area. Start by Prepping the Walls. 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. 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. 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. 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). That’s pretty much it. how do you cover old concrete steps with wood? Skimming a wall isn't easy but if done properly will give you a smooth finish for painting or decorating. Repeat the SKIM COAT application step. New concrete looks new, and old concrete looks old. 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 ? While you can buy pre-mixed skim coat … Come join the discussion about tools, projects, builds, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Sand the surface of the first coat of SKIM COAT by hand, using #80–#100 drywall sand paper in a sanding block. What product to skim coat concrete steps? I've got concrete steps leading down to my basement from outside. Cut out a piece of plywood that can cover the length and width of your concrete step. 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. Wear eye protection and a mask to protect yourself from debris. Remove the dust created by sanding. See how I transformed my dated kitchen with skim coat concrete counters. Or prepping and repainting the entire surface. Skim … 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 … Step 4a Mix Vinyl Concrete Patcher by adding about 10 ounces of water per 5 pounds of Vinyl Concrete Patcher (the Vinyl Concrete Patcher should be poured into the mixing water). The mix sets up within 10 to 15 minutes, so you must enlist some help in order to complete the project properly. 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. per 1,000 sq. Is there a specific product I should use? Once complete, a thicker mortar is applied if you want to add tile to the surface. For moisture sensitive floor coverings refer to the finished floor manufacturer’s specifications on moisture limitations. Can I skim coat the steps? Pour the Thinset over the concrete. This step by step guide will show you how to skim an internal wall in your home and achieve a high quality finish.