How to Finish Rough Concrete Walls
Walls of areas not usually used to entertain guests are often made of rough concrete. These often include basements and other similar areas. Rough concrete is great for its sturdy construction and durability, but it offers little in the way of visual appeal. These walls can be improved and the room can be converted for other functions.
Directions:
- Get a bucket of water and add a small amount of dish detergent (about one tablespoon). Place a sponge into the water/detergent mix, and wring out most of the water. Use the sponge to clean the concrete. After rinsing with clean water, use the sponge on the walls again.
- Make sure to cover up the air vents and doorways with plastic sheeting. This will prevent any dust or other particles from gaining access to the rest of your house.
- Wear safety goggles and gloves, and use a coarse diamond sanding pad with an orbital sander.
- Turn on the sander and push into the concrete. Rotate vertically and horizontally. Use the sander on the whole wall.
- Change the sanding pad to a finer one, and sand the wall once more. This will change the texture, making it a smoother one. After completing this step, use a very fine pad and sand a third time.
- Get out a pump sprayer and fill it with concrete hardener. Spray the wall horizontally to make sure the entire wall is covered. Allow time for the hardener to dry.
- Use an even finer sanding pad on the wall and sand it once again. Continue switching to finer pads until the wall has a shiny appearance.
- Wipe the walls with a moist towel to remove any small particles of dust. Run a vacuum through the area to pick up dust and other particles that may have settled.