Smooth finish on concrete

[Apprentice]

Hi all,

 

When I mix up concrete, I use a bag of gravel and cement but when I trowel it, in an attempt to get a nice smooth finish, I never achieve it.

 

Should I be putting sand in the mix? Or is my troweling technique need work?

[JohnMo]

You need sand to make concrete or make it with ballast, which is mix of gravel down to small fines.

 

Various grades of concrete are mixed with various quantities of sand, cement and gravel. Varying mixes get different properties depending on what you are doing with it.

[Apprentice]

On 28/06/2023 at 20:27, JohnMo said:

You need sand to make concrete or make it with ballast, which is mix of gravel down to small fines.

 

Various grades of concrete are mixed with various quantities of sand, cement and gravel. Varying mixes get different properties depending on what you are doing with it.

Thanks John. 
 

This is what I would use https://www.mdoshea.ie/25kg-bagged-gravel mixed with cement. But I find that when I trowel it, it never gets a smooth finish if that makes sense? Should I put sand through it as well? If so, what would the mix be?