How to Trowel Texture Overlay Concrete

Cement texturing is an easy and fun project.

Adding a textured overlay to concrete provides two uses for a concrete surface. The texturing gives interest to the surface, and it can also act as a safety feature to prevent injuries, such as with a concrete floor near a pool of water. Adding texture to a smooth concrete surface is a simple process that takes few ingredients. Unlike most concrete projects, this project requires creativity and has no strict rules for application or design style.

Things You'll Need

• Scrub brush
• Detergent cleaning solution
• Sand
• Portland cement
• Hydrated lime
• Bucket
• Cement paint
• Paintbrush
• Steel trowel
• Texturing tools
• Spray bottle

Instructions

1. Clean any existing cement before adding a textured overlay. Use a scrub brush and detergent cleaning solution to clean the cement as much as possible. Rinse the area thoroughly and allow to dry for 24 hours before adding the concrete texture layer.

2. Mix three parts sand, one part Portland cement and half a part of hydrated lime in a bucket. Add enough water to create a wet slurry mixture.

3. Paint the cement with cement paint applied with a paintbrush. Don't add so much paint that you cannot add the cement mixture before it dries. The cement paint must be wet for the cement mixture to stick to the original area.

4. Add 1/4 inch layer of the slurry mixture to the cement. If it does not stick to the wall, then add a little more water to the mixture. Smooth the cement with the steel trowel.

5. Add your desired texture to the cement. You can use a cement stamp to create a brick-like effect. You can use a stiff paintbrush to make a stippled look. Or use the side of the trowel to create swirls or other patterns in the cement. You can also use several nails or twigs to create grooves in the cement. There is no limit to the texturing you can achieve with cement.

6. Allow the cement to dry until hard. At this point, mist the surface of the cement with a spray bottle every four or five hours. Allow the cement to cure for 48 hours, continuing to mist the surface periodically.

References

• Concrete Network: Concrete Texturing
• Ask the Builder: Cement Stucco Foundation Finish