cement driveway facelift
Greetings; I have a 21 year old exposed large aggregate cement driveway that is in good shape, I just wish to do a facelift to give it all one color again and fill in the small cracks that have developed over the years. I have looked at way too many products over the internet, and have strong interest in a product called CONCRETEFIX. You mix the pail with water, stir, pour and distribute with a squeegee. I found one link where this product was rated similiar to Quikrete, but easier to use. 14 pails later, I may be done. Cure is about 12 hours. Quikrete Concrete Resurfacer requires meticulous cleaning and etching with a power washer capable of a minimum of 3,500 pounds per square inch. Star Chemical's Concrete Fix only requires a good cleaning and a thorough rinsing. There is more concrete in Concrete Resurfacer and a higher percentage of polymers in Concrete Fix. If the garage slab has a lot of unevenness and spalling that needs to be built up or filled in, I would go with the Quikrete Concrete Resurfacer. If the surface is in fairly good shape, but you want a quick coat to cover surface blemishes and fine cracks, Star Chemical's Concrete Fix could save time. www.concretefix.com/ Has anyone used this product over a large area? My driveway is 67'L x 20'W. Or, does anyone have a different product they have used for a similiar circumstance with good results? Seeking input please. Thanks, Roland you might want to consider not cutting corners and doing it right. concrete resurfacing projects can lead into a mess if you try and cut corners. regardless never ever ever skimp on the prep work no matter what it says on the label. grinding w/ a diamond grinder is best, power washing heavily is good. I would research a little before you try. step by step info is available at http://www.decorativeconcreteguide.com hope this helps your project Are you saying that you have an exposed aggregate driveway (exposed aggregate on purpose) and are wanting to cover it with a resurfacer? It would be easier and cheaper to just refurbish the exposed agg. If you expect the resurfacer to take care of cracks, it's not gonna happen. The resurfacing material will crack right over the cracks in the original slab, and probably within a few days. Pecos Thanks for the replies.... Clark: I do plan on power washing and prep work, not just throwing the stuff on there. I've never heard of grinding with a diamond grinder..... sounds long and tedious, especially with the exposed aggregate. I'll check out the link, thx. Pecos: My driveway is exposed aggregate as opposed to a smooth concrete finish. Yes, it was done on purpose. It was hosed down before it completely dried when poured leaving the aggregate exposed. I don't understand refurbish the exposed aggregate?????? Plz explain. My intentions are to try and make the driveway look like new again. There is slight discoloration, and 21 years of use. The cracks are small, and will be filled before whatever else I do. Most products out there add a painted look to the finish, whereas the Quikrete Resurfacer or Concretefix the pictures look like fresh concrete, which I like. I'm unsure just trying to squeegee the product on with the exposed aggregate.... exactly how that would turn out. I don't care if the aggregate stays exposed or gets covered up..... I just want a new looking driveway. Exposed aggregate is not the end result...... a fresh looking driveway is. I'd post a picture, but don't know how. I've never used any resurfacer before, just cleaners and powerwashing each spring. It is time for that again, and I would like to go further. Needless to say, I do NOT have any concrete refinishing experience. Thanks, Roland Been on the net again looking at concrete resurfacing products... I'm beginning to think that my exposed aggregate is a problem. Every site I visited shows their product going on over an existing smooth driveway.... groan. For those interested in this sort of project yourselves, here's a link to show proper prep. procedures ...... http://www.concretesolutions.com/BROOM_FINISH/BroomFinish_procedure1.html Geez, this molehill is turning into a mountain, me thinks. I have emailed both Concretefix and Concrete Solutions asking about their product going on over an exposed aggregate driveway, and if doing so is feasible. I'm beginning to wonder. Still seeking input, please. Roland Just received this from Concretefix.... Our experience has shown that with exposed aggregate, even moreso than regular concrete, 2 coats will provide the best finsihed look. The first thin coat will fill in the low areas and provide an even surface. The second coat will finish it off and provide consistency. When the surface is properly cleaned and prepared, the product should provide at least 5 years without showing need for recoating. It may last much longer than that depending on conditions. The thing to keep in mind is that it will weather much like the existing concrete or paint on a house. Over time, recoating becomes necessary to keep the fresh new look of the surface. The cost and effort has just doubled..... more groans. Roland To refurbish the exposed agg., begin by meticulously pressure washing with a professional grade (3000 psi or higher, gas powered) washer. Be sure to get all loose material out of the cracks. Let the slab and cracks dry thoroughly. Use a flexible caulk (brown or tan preferably) to fill the cracks, being sure to only fill the crack, not leave a gob of stuff on either side of it. While the caulk is still wet, liberally sprinkle brown sand on top and maybe even press it in. Don't worry about removing the excess sand just yet. Let it cure a few days, then hose all the excess sand off, leaving the sand that sticks to the caulk. Hopefully, you won't see any of the caulk showing. Again allow the slab to dry thoroughly, minimum of 24 hours. Seal the driveway with a solvent based (if they're legal in your neck of the woods) 30% solids acrylic sealer. These will be available from a local contractors supply store, probably not Home Depot. There are even brown tinted ones available specifically for exposed aggregate. The high solids sealer will darken and enhance everything and make it look shiny and new again. Even a clear sealer will do this, but a brown tinted would be better. Be sure to get a high solids (25-30%) acrylic sealer. Normal concrete sealer may look decent for a short time, but the high solids ones will last a lot longer. Good luck. Pecos Thank you Pecos! Do you have a specifiic brand in mind to get me started in my search? Also, is there other tints available other than brown.... not complaining, just curious 8-) Roland I only know of the brown for exposed agg. As to a name brand, I doubt it would do you much good, but the stuff I use is made by Surface Coatings, but I don't know if you could get it where you are. Other good high-solids clear sealers are made by Sonneborn, Euclid Chemical, Dayton-Superior, and WR Meadows. A google search for concrete sealers would provide a ton of leads, but I would begin by just calling around locally. Many ready mix concrete plants sell these types of sealers. Pecos
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