How to concrete resurface a tiled patio
We’ll show you how to renovate an old tiled patio with concrete resurfacing.
TIP: Get a helper for this project, and things will go smoother.
First step
Check that your tile surface is suitable for concrete resurfacing. Tiles that are loose or missing will have to be reglued or filled. Any repairs that need to be done prior to resurfacing should be carried out now.
Second step
Decide what colour/s you like and if you want a pattern finish.
Third step
Once you have decided the finish you want, buy the materials.
- Hydrochloric acid
- primer
- masking tape and plastic
- resurfacing base compound (We use Avista by Dulux)
- colour oxide
- concrete sealer
Fourth step
Gather the tools you will require for your concrete resurfacing project.
- Watering can
- acid resistant gloves
- safety glasses
- stiff broom
- soft broom
- pressure washer
- hopper gun
- air compressor
- paint roller with frame and handle
- mixing paddle
- heavy duty drill
- chipping paint brush
Fifth step
Start your project.
Mix 20 parts of water to 1 part hydrochloric acid, please wear your safety glasses and gloves. Acid is a dangerous material and all precautions should be taken.
Spread the water/acid mix over your tiles with your watering can and use a stiff broom to remove stubborn stains and material. Now, before the acid dries, you need to wash off the acid wash with a pressure washer, minimum 2500psi.
Sixth step
Mask off all areas you don’t wish to cover with concrete resurfacing compound.
Seventh step
Once you have washed your surface as above, it’s time to prime the surface. We used Avista resurfacing primer. You mix 1 part Avista resurfacing primer with 3 parts water. Spread the primer mix over your surface with a soft broom or roller. Don’t let the primer pool and spread until the whole surface is covered.
It’s best to have your concrete resurfacing base compound mixed and ready to apply as you need to apply the base before the primer dries. If the primer dries before you can cover with the base compound, re apply primer so it’s wet to apply the base to.
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Eighth step
Mix you concrete resurfacing compound, the instructions are generally on the bag of compound base.
TIP: Keep concrete resurfacing materials in the coolest place on site as heat acerates pot time.
Add to a 20l bucket 3.6l to 4l of clean water to the 20l bucket. Empty the 1kg bag of colour oxide into the water and mix with your mixing paddle attached to your drill. Try to mix the resurfacing compound as slowly as you can to avoid air pockets and vortexes.
Once the colour is mixed, add the concrete resurfacing compound a little at a time. When all the concrete resurfacing compound is in the bucket, mix for at least 3minutes minimum. This provides for the powdered chemicals to be released and mixed as required.
Ninth step
When your concrete resurfacing compound is ready, you can spread it over your surface with a trowel/squeegee or spray it on with a hopper gun. We used a trowel as we wanted to make sure the tile lines were covered completely.
You now have to wait for this base coat to be dry enough to walk on before your next step.
Tenth step
Mix up another batch of the base compound with your main colour, this time we’re using a hopper gun to get a fleck effect (the base compound comes out in small blobs). Settings for the hopper gun depend on the effect your wanting. To get a speckled finish, set your compressor to 15psi and add a little more water to your mix. If you using the hopper gun for the first base coat, set the compressor to 30-35 psi and try to achieve a 80% cover.
Once you have covered your patio for the second time, now wait until it is dry enough to walk on before spraying your different colour flecks. Wait after each fleck until it is dry enough to walk on before proceeding.
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Eleventh step
When all the concrete resurfacing has been applied, wait until it dries and then apply 2 coats of an Acrylic concrete sealer, waiting between coats until it is dry enough to walk on.
Twelfth step
Stand back and admire your work. The finish product may resemble exposed aggregate concrete or have your favorite pattern, there are many finishers that can be achieved with concrete resurfacing compound. However a pattern or a fleck finish are the 2 easiest finishes. More complex finishes are best left to the professionals.
Below is a short video from Dulux Avista on how to resurface a concrete driveway, we used the same methods to resurface our tiled patio.
