I filled a few shallow holes in my concrete garage floor with topping mix a couple of days ago. I realize I'm no expert but they are kind of rough. I have to wait 30 days before I can paint but is there any way to smooth out these areas a bit in the mean time or am I stuck with what I have? Has anyone out there had any experience with this problem? Thanks

If you have a power sander you can try to sand it down when it is ready for painting. (You might want a mask for that job)

I am no expert so wait for a second opinion.

I believe the problem you have is because you didn't put a hard trowel finish on the patched area and therefore the patch is rougher than the rest of the floor which probably has a somewhat shiny or smooth finish. Sound right?

I think that sanding will be a major ordeal without good results and the dust will be horrendous. Grinding usually leaves a rough texture. Polishing with water and sand paper is something that takes some experience.

There are light weight topping compounds that could be used to float in the area, but they don't hold up well to heavy traffic so that's not a good idea either... unless the area will not be in the area of car traffic???

I think the best option is to use an epoxy filling compound and then paint the floor with a garage floor paint that can have texture added in the top coat. This stuff is not cheap though, so you may be turned off by it. Basically the process is you prime the floor and then spread some sand on the floor, then you apply the finish coat and the sand floats into the finish to give an even texture.

I will try to get back to you with some product information, hopefully sooner than later. If you could respond to the ?? I have then perhaps I can help save you some $$.

animator, you are right on the mark. I used the proper topping mix and additive but I may have mixed it too stiff because I was led to believe that if it was too runny it would be too weak. Anyway, I did a lousy job of smoothing [probably just inexperience]. It's just a few areas in a teeny tiny single garage that barely is big enough for my Mustang so it's not that big a deal. I just want to be able to have a surface that I can sweep and keep clean so I would like it smooth. Maybe I should just paint it and learn from the experience. At least now those areas aren't crumbling every time I look at them. Thanks for your help.