Surface Preparation. Prep is everything when it comes to anything right? For this reason, if there is paint, sealers or over coatings like kool deck that exist on the create we must remove them in order to prepare the surface.  If there is nothing on the concrete a simple acid wash and power wash is all that is needed. 
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​In the featured photo there was kool decking that needed to be removed in preparation for the coatings.  A surface grinder was used to remove the kool deck and angle grinder used to remove the kool decking from the coping. 

If any cracks exist we open them with grinders and if any trip hazards exist we grind them down to eliminate them.

It was thoroughly power-washed and the bubble wrap as secured to the waterline tile to prevent any material from falling inside the pool 

Next, the CS-100 Grey Base is mixed with the CSR-1000 Bonder and is applied with hand trowels or squeegees. The CS-100 Grey Base is a larger aggregate blend that makes for a great mechanical edge for the texture coat to adhere.
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​Additionally, the larger aggregate is great for mixing really thick and using it to float out low spots or to float up to trip hazards that could not be ground down.

Next, the CS-500 White Texture is mixed with the CSR-1000 Bonder is applied with hand trowels.  This is where the technique of troweling is really needed.  There is a specific technique we teach that simulates stone texture that is done to give it an authentic look. 

(zoom in, you can see the scored texture)

The stone pattern is cut into the surface as the products begins to dry with a handle tool.  We prefer to not tape the lines because taping the lines give the finish a very unauthentic look and believe the beauty is in the details. 
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Lastly,  we stain the surface with CenturyStone iron oxides, grout the scored lines with an opaque concrete stain using toothbrushes, and seal with the either the CSR-200 solvent-based sealer or the CSR-500 water-based polyurethane.

Both of these sealers are a two part sealer and never need to be reapplied.  An aluminum iron oxide is broadcast into the sealer as it's being applied to prevent the surface from being slippery when wet.