Step 7: Top Coat
The top coat of cement can receive a wide variety of textures. Steps can be slippery when wet, or covered with algae. To help improve traction, create an appropriate texture. One of my favorite techniques is to stipple the surface with the strings of a floor mop. One can also brush the surface with a broom head to create parallel lines, or stipple to make rough peaks. Any tool leaves a mark.
If your cement mix is too thick to penetrate the fishnet and adhere to the bottom coat, water down some of it and rub it in with your gloved hand. Put the thicker mix on top of that and create your final texture. For these stairs, I swept the surface with a broom to create the final texture.
When it hardens up enough to spray with water, try to keep it damp during the heat of the day. You should be able to walk on the project in a day or so.
If your cement mix is too thick to penetrate the fishnet and adhere to the bottom coat, water down some of it and rub it in with your gloved hand. Put the thicker mix on top of that and create your final texture. For these stairs, I swept the surface with a broom to create the final texture.
When it hardens up enough to spray with water, try to keep it damp during the heat of the day. You should be able to walk on the project in a day or so.
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