Resurfacing concrete. Although concrete is one of the most durable
building materials available, time, traffic and the elements can cause the concrete surface
to spall, wear and discolor. QUIKRETE Concrete Resurfacer can provide a
new, durable, wear-resistant surface on old, worn concrete driveways, sidewalks and patios
that will last the life of the concrete. QUIKRETE Concrete Resurfacer will renew your
concrete surface at a fraction of the cost to tear out and replace old concrete slabs. As with any concrete repair project, proper
surface preparation is essential for a successful result. This is especially true for concrete resurfacer. Old concrete must be rigorously cleaned to
ensure proper adhesion to the new surface. A high-strength, 3500 PSI pressure washer
must be used to remove any dirt, oil, grease or deteriorating concrete, prior to the application
of concrete resurfacer. Concrete Resurfacer is ideal for resurfacing
large areas, like driveways, patios and pool decks, but because it sets quickly, it is
important to section off your work areas to no larger than 144 square feet. This will allow enough time for placing and
finishing the resurfacer, before it begins to set. It's essential that control joints and expansion
joints are maintained, to allow for slab movement. These joints can usually be used to define
your work area. Weather stripping can be used to prevent concrete
resurfacer from spilling into the joints. Before resurfacing your slab, deeply spalled
areas and large cracks should be repaired using concrete resurfacer that has been mixed
to a trowel-able consistency. The repairs should be allowed to harden, before
resurfacing the entire area. To mix concrete resurfacer, a 5-gallon bucket
and a 1/2 inch drill and paddle mixer should be used. Hand-mixing in standard concrete barrel-type
mixers cannot be used for this application. When mixing or placing concrete resurfacer,
as with any cement mix, it is important to wear safety glasses and water-proof gloves. Measure and add 3.5 quarts of clean, cool
water to the five gallon bucket, to mix one 40 lb. bag of concrete resurfacer. Then, begin to add the powder to the water,
while mixing. Mix for about five minutes, until a lump-free,
pourable consistency is achieved. If the mix is too thick, add water, sparingly,
to reach the consistency of syrup. If the mix is too thin, additional powder
can be added. One 40 lb. bag of concrete resurfacer covers
about 90 square feet at 1/8 of an inch thick, so a typical 16 foot by 24 foot driveway would
use about five bags of resurfacer. Because the application process is continuous,
it is always best to have a few extra bags, to allow for any changes in thickness or waste. Prior to applying concrete resurfacer, saturate
the surface with water, and then, remove any standing water. Concrete acts like a rigid sponge. Dampening the concrete will cool the slab
and prevent the mixing water from being drawn out of the material, during the resurfacer
application. You are now ready to begin the application
process. Pour the resurfacer onto the concrete in one-foot
wide strips. Then, using a long-handled squeegee, scrub
the material into the concrete surface. Working back and forth, evenly spread the
resurfacer onto the slab. After about five minutes, a non-slip finish
can be applied, using a concrete broom. Make long strokes, across the full distance
of the work area, without stopping. All broom strokes should be made in the same
direction, for uniformity of appearance. A concrete edging tool can also be used within
about 20 minutes of pouring the resurfacer. Concrete resurfacer has a working time of
about 30 minutes at 73 degrees. In hotter weather, the working time will be
reduced. Using cold mixing water and keeping the bags
of concrete resurfacer shaded will help extend the application time. Under normal conditions, no special curing
is required. Although, in temperatures over 90 degrees,
moist cure with a fine water mist for 24 to 48 hours. Because concrete resurfacer is polymer-modified,
temperatures should remain above 50 degrees, for at least 8 hours, and should be protected
from freezing for 24 hours after application. Concrete resurfacer will support foot traffic
in about 6 hours and vehicle traffic in 24 hours.
