Float the Surface

• 1). Scrape a straight, flat board back and forth across the surface of the concrete just after it has been poured, when it is very wet. This is called "floating." It helps take air bubbles out of the concrete and makes the surface smooth and even.
  
  
• 2). Work the board back and forth until the surface is smooth. As you move the board, the larger gravel in the concrete will move down and sand and water will move to the top, allowing you to create a smooth surface.
  
  
• 3). Repeat Step 2 several times during the early stages of the curing process. The concrete will get consistently stiffer over the first several hours after you have poured it.
  
  

Use a Power Trowel

• 1). Move a power trowel back and forth in overlapping large arcs over the surface of the concrete. Don't allow it to sit in one place without moving while it is running.
  
  
• 2). Run the power trowel across the surface periodically as the concrete becomes harder. If you trowel it every couple of hours over the day that it hardens, you will create a superior finish.
  
  
• 3). Buff the surface with a thin coat of concrete wax after it has cured completely, a process that usually takes two or three weeks. This step is particularly useful for concrete countertops.