Give your outdoor concrete a fresh start.
Refresh tired concrete with colour, texture and an AlkaCrete 300 finish chosen for your home. We help you understand the options, see samples and take the next step with a suitable contractor.
The home, pool, preparation, application and sample images on this page are AI-generated illustrations, not photographs of completed ALKA projects. The AlkaCrete 300 colour chart is the supplied product chart.
A new surface. A considered choice.
Concrete resurfacing adds a bonded decorative cementitious finish over suitable existing concrete. It can refresh the appearance of a sound slab without removing and replacing the whole driveway or outdoor area.
Change the colour and texture
Consider AlkaCrete 300 when you want a renewed decorative surface and the underlying slab can support a bonded coating. Preparation and local repairs come first.
Refresh an existing finish
If the decorative surface is still sound and you mainly need renewed protection or appearance, cleaning and a compatible reseal may be enough. Existing sealer must be identified and assessed.
Resolve deeper problems
Severe movement, unstable concrete, major level differences or failed drainage need investigation. A thin decorative coating will not rebuild a failing slab or correct the cause of structural cracking.
One coordinated look, with the right finish for each area.
- Driveways & carports: discuss vehicle traffic, turning areas, tyre exposure, access and when cars can return.
- Paths, entries & patios: coordinate the colour with brickwork, landscaping and outdoor furniture; assess falls, thresholds and trip edges.
- Pool surrounds: select texture for wet, barefoot use and discuss pool chemicals, cleaning and the final sealed surface.
- Steps & sloping areas: these need particular attention to texture, edges and drainage during the site assessment.
Pool surrounds means the surrounding concrete, not the submerged pool shell. For an indoor resin or decorative flake floor, explore our garage flooring systems.
You do not need to know the technical terms.
Tell us what you want to improve. ALKA helps with product selection and technical guidance, and can discuss introducing a contractor for your location and project.
Start with a conversation
Share the suburb, type of area, approximate size, current condition and timing. We can arrange how to share photographs after your enquiry.
Compare finishes & samples
Discuss colours, texture, patterns and a showroom visit. A physical sample helps you choose a finish that works with your home.
Site assessment & written quote
The contractor checks the slab, preparation, repairs and access. Confirm the full system, price, responsibilities and proposed dates before agreeing to work.
Installation & handover
Your agreed installer prepares and coats the surface, then explains when you can use it and how to maintain it.
The preparation matters as much as the finish.
A good result starts below the colour. This is the typical sequence to discuss with your installer; the exact preparation and coating schedule follow the assessed surface and approved product instructions.
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Inspect and agree on the system
Check concrete soundness, contamination, moisture conditions, existing coatings, cracks, joints, drainage and thresholds. Trial preparation or a bond test may be needed. Record defects and agree on the finish sample and repair scope.
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Clear and protect the work area
Move cars, furniture and pots. Agree on alternative access to the house and protect adjacent walls, doors, landscaping and drains. Your installer should explain noise, dust controls, water and power requirements.
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Remove contamination and weak material
Clean oil, dirt and other contaminants, then remove loose or incompatible coatings and unsound concrete using the appropriate preparation method. Grinding or other mechanical profiling may be required; washing alone is not always sufficient.
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Repair defects and respect the joints
Prepare and repair suitable static cracks, chips and edges with compatible materials. Moving cracks need a separate assessment. Existing movement joints must be detailed through the system rather than hidden under a decorative layer.
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Prepare the bonding and base layers
Apply the primer, bonding treatment or base layer specified for the substrate and AlkaCrete 300 system. Confirm surface condition, weather window and readiness before each following layer.
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Apply the selected decorative finish
Build the AlkaCrete 300 finish using the approved application method. Colour, texture, borders or stencil details should follow the agreed sample. Edges and transitions need the same care as the main area.
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Cure, seal and hand over
Allow the required curing between stages and apply the specified compatible finish. The installer checks the completed surface and gives separate instructions for foot traffic, vehicles, cleaning and exposure to water. Keep the area protected until each use is released.
Each layer has a job.
The decorative finish is one part of a complete surface system. Bonding depends on preparation, while the final sealer influences appearance, cleaning and the texture you feel underfoot.
Ask for the product names and the layer sequence in your quotation. The selected primer, repair material, AlkaCrete 300 application and final finish must work together.
Find the tone that belongs with your home.
Start with the colour chart, then compare real samples alongside your brickwork, roof, paving and landscaping. Texture, sealer, light and application all influence the finished appearance.
Download ALKACRETE Colour Chart ↓ · Explore all Colour Charts →
Available chart colours: Window Grey · Dusty Grey · Bluestone · Graphite Grey · French Grey · Charcoal · White · Merino · Black · Mocha · Light Terracotta · Red Terracotta · Flint Grey · Steel Grey · Sandstone.
Simple textured colour
A coordinated base tone for a clean, understated appearance. View the intended texture with the selected sealer before confirming.
Speckles & tonal contrast
Discuss whether a contrasting fleck or multi-tone treatment suits your design. Ask for a sample of the proposed combination and application.
Borders & stencil details
Define the driveway edge or break up a large area with a border or pattern. Layout, joint positions and extra preparation affect the scope and price.
See the colour.
Feel the texture.
Choose with confidence.
Visit ALKA in Smithfield to discuss your project and compare physical finishes. Call ahead so we can confirm the relevant samples and the right person to help you.
Bring photos of your concrete and home, rough measurements, and any colour ideas. Ask about take-home samples and viewing the proposed sealer finish in your own outdoor light.
ALKA Coatings87 Market Street, Smithfield NSW 2164
Monday–Friday, 8 am–4 pm
1300 51 51 50
The materials behind your finish.
These ALKA products are relevant to decorative concrete resurfacing. Your written specification should confirm the compatible preparation, repair, bonding, decorative and sealer products for the actual site.
AlkaCrete 300
A two-component, water-based cementitious coating system for decorative resurfacing of suitable existing concrete. This is the product associated with the 15-colour chart above.
Role: the coloured, textured body of the resurfacing system. Confirm the mixing, coverage, layer thickness, preparation and curing requirements from the current technical instructions supplied for the job.
The product website does not currently provide a working direct TDS download. Request the current AlkaCrete 300 TDS from ALKA.
AlkaSeal
A solvent-based acrylic concrete sealer available in clear and coloured options for exterior concrete. ALKA must confirm the appropriate finish and compatibility with the chosen resurfacing build-up.
Role: the specified protective finish. Sealer selection affects sheen, colour depth, wet-surface behaviour and future maintenance. Clear and coloured options do not produce the same appearance.
The linked TDS is the published document. Confirm the latest revision and project instructions with ALKA before application.
What affects the price and the time?
Price starts with the surface
Area matters, but the condition of the concrete can matter just as much. Existing coating removal, contamination, repairs, edges, access, design complexity and the selected sealer all affect the quotation.
Ask for a written scope covering preparation, repairs, product layers, joints, pattern, waste removal and any exclusions. A photo can help with an initial discussion; final pricing may need a site inspection.
Work time and cure time are different
Allow for preparation and repairs, application, drying between layers and curing after the final finish. Rain, temperature, shade and surface conditions can change the schedule.
Agree on separate dates for walking, returning furniture and driving or parking. The surface may look dry before it is ready for vehicles. Arrange alternative parking and access before work starts.
Measuring does not need to be perfect. For a rectangular area, length × width gives approximate square metres. Split irregular areas into smaller shapes and add them together. If you are unsure, say so in the form and we will help with the next step.
Your questions, before you commit.
Is my concrete suitable?
Can you resurface cracked concrete?
Some stable cracks and local defects can be prepared and repaired before resurfacing. Moving cracks, settlement and structural damage require investigation first. A decorative coating does not stop slab movement, and a repaired crack may become visible again. Ask the contractor to identify which repairs are included and what can reasonably be expected.
Can it go over old paint, sealer or a stencilled driveway?
Possibly, after assessment. The installer needs to identify the existing finish and check its bond and compatibility. Loose, weak or unsuitable coatings must be removed; an apparently sound surface may still need trial preparation or bond testing. Include coating removal in the quote where required.
Will resurfacing fix puddles, uneven levels or poor drainage?
A decorative resurfacing layer is not a general levelling or drainage repair. Ponding, thresholds, trip edges and incorrect falls need to be assessed separately. Agree on any repairs to levels or drainage before choosing the decorative finish.
Can new concrete or exposed aggregate be resurfaced?
Both need assessment. New concrete must meet the selected system’s curing, moisture and surface requirements; the installation date alone is not enough. Exposed aggregate may require additional profiling or base preparation. Ask the installer to confirm a suitable preparation method and any effect on finished levels.
What happens during the work?
How long does the project take, and when can I drive on it?
There is no single reliable timetable for every slab and weather condition. Your contractor should allow for repairs, preparation, each coating stage and final curing, then give separate foot-traffic and vehicle-release times. Keep cars off until the installer releases the completed system for vehicle use, even if it looks dry.
Can I stay at home, and will I still have access?
This is usually an access-planning question. Discuss how you will reach entrances, park, receive deliveries and use the garden while the area is closed. Preparation can be noisy, and dust controls and masking are needed. Arrange an alternative route and keep children and pets away from the work and curing surface.
What if it rains or the weather changes?
The installer should check the forecast and product limits before starting. Rain, condensation, heat and low temperatures can affect application or curing, so work may need to be postponed or protected. Agree on a weather contingency and do not hose or water the fresh surface until advised.
Will there be dust or a strong smell?
Grinding and coating removal can generate dust, so ask about extraction, containment and cleaning. AlkaCrete 300 is water-based, while a selected solvent-based sealer can produce noticeable odour and needs the controls described in its SDS. Discuss nearby doors, windows, neighbours and access with the installer before the work.
Choosing the finish
Will the finished surface be slippery when wet?
Grip depends on the complete finish, including texture, sealer, contamination, slope and whether it is used with footwear or bare feet. Discuss the intended use and inspect a representative sealed sample. If a project requires a slip classification, it must be supported by appropriate testing of the specified finish; a textured appearance alone is not proof.
Is it suitable around a swimming pool?
Pool surrounds can be considered where the concrete and full system are suitable. The contractor needs to assess wet barefoot use, falls, pool-water exposure and cleaning. Select the texture and sealer together. This page concerns the surrounding concrete, not a waterproof lining for the inside of a pool.
Can I see samples and visit the showroom?
Yes. Contact ALKA to arrange a visit to 87 Market Street, Smithfield NSW 2164 and confirm the relevant samples are available. Bring photos and rough measurements. Ask about taking samples home and viewing the proposed colour, texture and sealer together in your own light.
Will the result exactly match the chart or the website images?
The supplied chart helps narrow the choice, but screens, lighting, texture and sealer change perceived colour. Application also creates natural variation. The lifestyle and installation images on this page are design illustrations. Choose using a physical sample or agreed trial area, and record the selected colour and finish in your quote.
Looking after your new surface
How do I clean it?
After the system has fully cured, remove loose dirt regularly and use the cleaning method and cleaner recommended for the selected sealer. Clean spills promptly. Avoid harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaning and aggressive pressure washing unless approved for that finish. Ask for written care instructions at handover.
Will it need resealing, and how long will it last?
Ongoing performance depends on preparation, the slab, traffic, weather exposure, the complete coating system and maintenance. Sealed exterior surfaces need periodic inspection and may need resealing as the finish wears. There is no universal reseal interval or lifespan for every property; agree on an inspection and maintenance plan for your use.
What warranty will I receive?
Ask for the warranty in writing before accepting the quotation. Confirm who covers installation workmanship, what product support applies, and the conditions for maintenance, existing defects and slab movement. Product information or a contractor introduction alone does not establish a particular project warranty.
What if I notice a crack, stain or worn patch later?
Photograph the issue and contact your installer with the installation date and product details. The cause needs to be assessed before choosing a repair or cleaner. Local repairs may be possible, but an exact colour and texture match cannot be assumed. Keep your quote, care sheet and colour selection for future reference.
Getting your project started
Does ALKA do the installation or introduce a contractor?
ALKA provides products and technical guidance and can discuss a suitable contractor introduction for your project and location. Availability and the contractual arrangement must be confirmed. Your written quote should name the party responsible for the site assessment, preparation, installation, payment and workmanship warranty.
Can I ask for a quote if I do not know the area or system?
Yes. Tell us the suburb, whether it is a driveway, patio or another area, what is wrong with the existing surface, and what you would like to achieve. Put “not sure” for the area. We can discuss photos, measurements and the next step towards a contractor assessment and quotation.
Can I apply it myself, or buy products for my own contractor?
You can ask ALKA about product supply and the technical documents for your contractor. A lasting resurfacing result depends on surface assessment, preparation equipment and correct application of the complete system. If you do not have that experience, discuss an installer introduction before purchasing materials.
What happens after I send an enquiry?
ALKA reviews the information and contacts you to clarify the surface, finish and next step. That may include arranging photos, discussing samples or a showroom visit, and agreeing on a contractor introduction where appropriate. Sending the form does not accept a quote or book installation.
A refreshed driveway starts with the right advice.
Tell us what you have and what you would like to change. You can request product advice, samples, the AlkaCrete 300 TDS, a showroom visit or help finding a contractor.
- Start with the basics: your contact details and project location.
- Add what you know: approximate size, surface condition, colour ideas and timing.
- We discuss the next step: photos, samples, an assessment or an agreed contractor introduction.
Prefer a conversation?
Call 1300 51 51 50
Monday–Friday, 8 am–4 pm
This form does not accept photo uploads. After your enquiry, we can arrange how to share project photos. Contractor availability and site suitability are confirmed during follow-up.
Tell us about your project
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