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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.