How To Resurface Concrete Driveway

Got a concrete driveway that used to look a million bucks, but is now only looking a couple of thousand at best? Although concrete is a super durable material, there are many reasons to resurface your concrete surface such as:

• Fixing cracks
• Updating your concrete surface with a new look or finish
• Hiding defects, flaws, discolouration or unpleasing looking concrete

Resurfacing a concrete driveway is inexpensive, simple and good for the environment.

In this post, Dulux Avista takes you through how to resurface a concrete driveway, and why our concrete resurfacing products are the best of their kind:

Why resurface a concrete driveway?
Resurfacing a concrete driveway is important for a few reasons:

• Protection from the elements

  Over time, cracks start to form in your concrete driveway, which can lead to further damage. Resurfacing your concrete protects it from water damage and becoming brittle by sealing up cracks and leaks. This adds life to your concrete driveway, protecting it from the elements. Coating concrete using the Dulux Avista Resurfacing System builds a tough, new surface with greater compressive strength and abrasion resistance.

• Improved appearance

  The appearance of concrete declines as weather exposure and general wear and tear take place. Resurfacing a concrete driveway brings it back to its original look, improving the whole appearance of your home or business.

• Adds value

  Resurfacing can also add value back to your property, making it a worthwhile investment if you’re looking to sell soon. Resurfacing offers a customisable design solution for new and existing concrete in good to moderate condition.

• The better choice

  Resurfacing is cheaper, faster and more planet-friendly than a full concrete rip-up and re-lay for driveway repair – it’s also the longer lasting choice.

What are the different concrete resurfacing options available

There are tons of options to create a unique customised resurfaced look.

• Create your own custom colour finish with base and fleck colours. If you design your own colour mix, your applicator will apply the flecks with a hopper spray. This textured effect replicates the looks of stone or exposed aggregate
• Add character and fun to your concrete by creating broomed finish options that are circular, geometrical or even make up your own pattern
• Stencil Pattern concrete is a hard-wearing and practical option where colours and patterns are applied to freshly laid concrete and can mimic the look of stone, bricks, tiles and other patterns
• Stamped Impression concrete allows you to recreate the distinctive three-dimensional effect of slate, stone, tiles or even timber around your home
• Dulux Avista Colour Stain can be used to colour plain, resurfaced, stamped and polished concrete and to create a range of effects and tones

How to resurface a concrete driveway
Whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring an applicator, resurfacing a concrete driveway is simple:

• Step 1: Preparation and cleaning
  This may involve grinding if there is any existing resurfacing or paint on the surface, to ensure the concrete is bare and even. If any fine cracks are present, these will be filled with an epoxy before the excess is ground away. The surface will also be pressure cleaned with water to remove the excess dust. Cleaning with an acid solution may also be required.
• Step 2: Priming the surface
  A coat of primer will prepare the driveway surface and ensure a successful bond with the base coat
• Step 3: Applying the base coat
  Dulux Avista's Resurfacing Base Compound will be prepared and applied. The Colour Oxides are added to the Base Compound to create different colours, with 20 options in the range there is plenty of choice to give your driveway a unique look. The base coat will be screeded to ensure a level surface is achieved.
• Step 4: Applying textured coats
  The compound is then spray-applied to add texture and achieve a slip resistant finish. A single colour may be used, or an additional colour can be added to create a flecked appearance for extra dimension.
• Step 5: Sealing the surface
  Finally, the surface will be sealed with two coats of concrete sealer. And there you have it! The whole process generally takes two days for a simple job and around three days for a more complex job. If you’re after a stencil effect, there are a couple of additional steps that will need to be factored in.

Benefits of concrete driveway resurfacing with Dulux Avista

From ease of application to product durability, there are tonnes of benefits of choosing Dulux Avista products for your concrete driveway resurfacing:

• It is a cost effective solution when compared to removing and replacing old concrete.
• It has an extremely hard-wearing and UV resistant surface.
• Resurfacing creates a high strength surface up to 40MPa* – twice the strength of most residential concrete. (*megapascals measure compressive strength)
• It can be applied up to 4mm thick creating a durable new surface that can handle tyre traffic, knocks and scrapes without flaking or peeling.
• You can apply resurfacing over existing concrete including stencil, stamped, colour pigment and exposed aggregate pavements.
• There are a wide range of colours and a variety of finishes available
• It has a quick curing time, ready for foot traffic in 24 hours and vehicle traffic in 5 days. It also has a convenient water clean up
• You can achieve upto P5 slip rating with Resurfacing
• Qualified applicators are available who can be recommended by Dulux

Give that driveway the brand new look it deserves and lift your home’s façade, thanks to products by Dulux Avista. As Australia’s leading brand in concrete refinishing products, Dulux Avista offers quality formulas that have been tested in the toughest conditions, so that you know you’re getting a long-lasting product. Ideal for residential and light commercial applications, check out our concrete resurfacing range and get your project started today. Find an applicatior today.