Surface Preparation and Grinding

What happens in this clip

Using a chisel and a hammer, carefully chip away any raised or loose concrete on the steps, especially along the edges. After removing the larger pieces, use a brush to sweep debris from crevices and corners. The most crucial step is to grind the concrete surface. Use an angle grinder equipped with a 4.5-inch grinder wheel or flap disc to remove all remaining loose and peeling paint, as well as to feather any lifting edges. For safety, wear a particulate respirator, safety glasses, and ideally a face shield. The grinder shield was removed to access tight corners, but this should be done with extreme caution. After grinding, sweep up all debris thoroughly with a broom and use a shop vac to remove fine dust from all edges and hard-to-reach areas.

Goal: Remove old paint and loose concrete, and create a smooth, clean surface.

What's used

Tools

• 4.5-inch Grinder Wheel / Flap Disc DeWalt
• Angle Grinder Black+Decker
• Broom
• Brush
• Chisel Irwin
• Face Shield
• Hammer
• Particulate Respirator
• Safety Glasses
• Shop Vac

About the full video

This project details the step-by-step process of restoring concrete front steps by cleaning, grinding, patching imperfections, and applying fresh paint to achieve a clean and improved look.

Step 2 of 6: Prepare the Surface

Inspect the steps for any cracks, holes, or loose boards. For concrete steps, fill cracks and holes with a concrete patching compound, following the manufacturer's instructions. For wooden steps, replace any rotten or damaged boards and secure any loose ones. Sand down any rough or splintered areas using medium-grit sandpaper (around 80-grit) to create a smooth surface. If there is old, peeling paint, scrape it away with a paint scraper and sand the edges smooth. For a smoother finish, especially on concrete, consider using a concrete degreaser if there are oil stains, and then rinse thoroughly.

Open this step in the guide

Other videos for this step

• Inspect and Scrape Loose Material
• Patch Concrete Imperfections