How to Refinish Cracked Concrete Steps

If you would like to refinish cracked concrete steps, you need to understand the proper preparation and application strategies or you will ultimately end up with a finish that will chip and shed. Concrete steps are nonporous. This characteristic makes them poorly suited for adhesion. You must etch the steps prior to application, or the new finish will fail. In addition, because steps lie underfoot, they are subject to heavy duress. You should choose a coating formulated to remain durable under trying circumstances.

Pressure washer
Protective eyewear
Concrete etch
5-gallon bucket
Wooden stir sticks
Floor squeegee
Tubes of cement patching compound
Razor blade
Caulking gun
Plastic putty knife
2-part epoxy paint
Roller frame
Shed-resistant roller cover
Roller extension pole
Acrylic floor paint

Instructions

- 1
  Wash the concrete steps with a pressure washer. Wait 4 to 6 hours for the steps to dry.
- 2
  Put on a pair of goggles. Mix the concrete etch crystals with two gallons of water in a 5-gallon bucket, using a wooden stir stick.
- 3
  Spread the solution over the concrete steps, using a floor squeegee. Wait 15 minutes. Rinse the steps with the pressure washer. Wait 4 to 6 hours for the steps to dry.
- 4
  Use a razor blade to cut the tip from the tube of cement patching compound. Load the tube into a caulking gun.
- 5
  Use the caulking gun to apply cement patching compound to the cracks in the concrete steps. Use a plastic putty knife to smooth the compound so that it conforms with the rest of the steps. Wait 6 hours for the compound to dry.
- 6
  Mix the epoxy catalyst and resin in a 5-gallon bucket, using a wooden stir stick.
- 7
  Coat the etched concrete steps with epoxy paint, using a roller. Wait 6 hours before walking onto the steps.

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