How to Finish Concrete

• 1). Level the wet concrete by pulling a bull float or darby across the wet concrete. Run the trowel over the surface to smooth it further. If you want a very smooth surface, used repeated passes with the trowel.
  
  
• 2). Allow time for the concrete to set and for any signs of water bleeding through the surface to have disappeared.
  
  
• 3). Edge the concrete around the perimeter with a small mason's trowel to keep it from sticking to the forms. Insert the trowel between the edge of the concrete and the form, pulling it gently as you go.
  
  
• 4). Allow about five days for the concrete to dry completely.
  
  

How to Stain Concrete

• 1). Mix a solution of one cup TSP and four gallons of water. Scrub the surface of the completely dried concrete with a push broom and a solution of TSP and water. Vacuum any residual solution from the surface with a wet-dry vacuum. Allow the surface to dry and vacuum it again. Let the concrete dry overnight.
  
  
• 2). Mix the concrete stain with water in the pressure sprayer. Use one part stain to one part water. Spray the stain on the surface of the concrete with the pressure sprayer. Ask a friend to assist you by scrubbing the surface with a push broom as you spray to ensure the stain is applied evenly. Brush the entire surface in one direction and then at a 90-degree angle so any brush strokes are obliterated. Allow the concrete surface to completely dry.
  
  
• 3). Mix a solution of baking soda and water to neutralize the surface. Use one part baking soda to 10 parts water. Spread the solution over the surface with a clean push broom. Vacuum any leftover solution with the wet-dry vacuum. Allow the surface to dry overnight.
  
  
• 4). Pour concrete sealer into a roller pan and coat a paint roller evenly with the sealer. Roll the sealer over the entire surface to seal in the stain. Let the surface dry completely.