How to Refinish Concrete Porch Steps

Give your porch steps a coat of paint or stain.

Your porch steps are subjected to foot traffic all day long. After a year or two they tend to start looking a little worse for wear. You can choose to stain or paint your steps. You can also opt to simply cover them with a clear coat of sealer to preserve their natural concrete appearance. Whatever finish you decide to put on, you will need to remove all of the stains and any other finish on your porch steps. A concrete grinder will get your steps in great shape for whatever finish you select.

Things You'll Need

• Concrete grinder
• Shop-vac
• Rag
• Broom
• Goggles
• Mask
• Epoxy primer
• Paintbrush
• Roller
• Epoxy paint

Instructions

1. Sweep the steps thoroughly to remove any debris that might get in the way of the grinder.

2. Rent a concrete floor grinder from a rental supply store. Choose a grinder with a vacuum attachment to reduce the amount of dust produced. Ask the retailer to give you a quick demonstration.

3. Turn on the grinder while it is elevated off the floor. Lower the grinder to the steps and begin grinding. Always wear a mask and goggles while using the grinder. Work from the top step downward, grinding until all of the original finish and any stains are removed.

4. Vacuum the entire area to remove all sanding dust. After vacuuming, use a damp rag to wipe away any small particles and dust that were missed by the vacuum. Allow the concrete to dry.

5. Add paint, stain or sealer. If painting, prime the stairs with epoxy primer. Epoxy primer is a good choice for concrete because it is extremely durable. Priming first will create a smooth surface on the steps and prepare the surface for paint. Allow the primer to dry. Paint the steps with epoxy paint. Epoxy paint is sold at most home improvement stores as garage flooring paint or concrete paint. Apply two to three thin coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next. If staining or sealing, skip this step.

6. Apply concrete stain to the steps using a roller. Concrete stain is available at paint stores and home improvement centers in a variety of colors. Use a roller to apply the stain in a thin, even coat. Add more layers of stain to deepen the color. If you plan to seal bare concrete, skip this step.

7. Brush on a coat of concrete sealer. Use a polyurethane coating rather than an enamel sealant. Enamel will yellow over time. Polyurethane coats are UV resistant. Brush on a topcoat over paint, stain or bare concrete. This will keep the porch steps free of stains and will protect the finish.

8. Wait 24 to 48 hours before allowing foot traffic on the steps.

References

• Original Color Chips: Floor Prep Machines
• Concrete Network: Cleaning Concrete Before Staining
• Rodda Paint: Painting Concrete