Painting external Surfaces

[mats01_99]

Hi all. I have to paint some external surfaces of my house - (Window sills and front step) which are currently raw concrete. What should my plan of attack be?, they are all a little on the rough side so effectively I need to sand them down, but what should I use to do this? Also Is there exterior emulsion that I should use or is standard stuff OK? Many thanks.

[Diamondson]

Not too complicated at all. Brush the areas well with a wire brush to get rid of all loose material. If the cills are very badly pitted fill the holes with an epoxy mortar, available pre-mixed in small tubs. Then paint with a coat of sealer/stabliser. Finally give them two good coats of SMOOTH masonary paint. Dulux is one of the best or Sandtex. Dulux also make the sealer. They will look good even if they are a bit rough. Don't bother trying to sand them down.