I poured a sidewalk/pad in front of my garage door and around the side about 2 years ago. I did a broom finish, but I'm thinking the concrete was still a little to wet when I did the broom finish. The finish ended up being rougher than I wanted. I figured with time it would wear down and smooth out some, but it's still fairly rough. Removing the slab and redoing is out of the question. What would be the best way to go about trying smooth the finish, but not make it completely smooth as I do want light a light brush finish since it's a sidewalk.
gsuders86
You can rent a concrete grinder from Lowe's/HD. It's like a floor sander but with diamond pads for concrete.
Or an angle grinder with a diamond disc, but I am assuming you have a large enough area to use a walk behind.
Or an angle grinder with a diamond disc, but I am assuming you have a large enough area to use a walk behind.
You might want to consider something like Ardex K 301. I'd rather grind teeth than concrete, and unless you go all out and grind enough to give it a terrazzo look, which a rental grinder cannot deliver, it will still look rough. A self leveling topping is way easier. I have used a variety of the Ardex products in the past with very good results. You might still need to hit the surface with a cup grinder to ensure good bonding but grinding through trowel marks and pock marks is a whole different animal.
Surface cleaner attached to a high-pressure, high-volume pressure washer works wonders on rough concrete. 
Wife has done it more than once.
Wife has done it more than once.
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