• Any concrete surface can be sanded and refinished with a variety of finishes.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Older painted concrete can be an eyesore when the paint begins to chip and the concrete starts to crack. A painted concrete patio, which is supposed to be a comfortable outdoor living area, loses appeal with age. Solutions for refurbishing or restoring the aged concrete include refinishing, stamping or covering up with pavers.
  
  

Painting or Staining

• Concrete can always be refinished. The important thing to remember when refinishing concrete is to repair any cracks or gouges before applying a new coat of stain or paint. Sand the concrete with a floor buffer and 100-grit, screen-mesh sandpaper, which are available for rent at most hardware stores. Clean the surface of the concrete after sanding with a concrete cleanser, power washer and a stiff-bristle push broom. The process of sanding and cleaning returns the concrete to its original appearance. Repair any cracks or gouges with a basic cement mixture and a trowel, and the surface is ready to be painted or stained. Stains are available in a variety of tints, allowing you to customize the appearance and color while maintaining the look of cement.
  
  

Stamping

• Stamping concrete is the process of applying a faux finish to the material. An older concrete patio would have to be sanded to have the surface prepared and cleaned thoroughly. Stamping is best done when the concrete is being poured as the process involves pressing textured pads onto the surface of wet concrete. Existing concrete requires a small layer of cement, approximately 1 inch, to be added to the surface of the existing pad. While the overlay of new cement sets, a plastic stamp is pressed down into the surface of the wet cement, creating a faux finish, such as brickwork, wood or natural stone.
  
  

Pavers

• Pavers are concrete or stone blocks set up in a pattern to create a solid but aesthetically pleasing appearance. Pavers are typically installed by setting them in a specific pattern, erecting a plastic border that is hidden by grass to hold the pavers still, and brushing cement sand into gaps to act like grout on tile. An old concrete patio is an ideal location to place pavers. The surface of the concrete is already flat and smooth, which eases the installation process. The only things to consider is the height of the pad. A paver stands anywhere from 2 to 6 inches tall. Installing pavers over the concrete would raise the height of the patio which could impact doors or gates. An alternative is to demolish the concrete and use the flattened surface beneath the concrete as a bed. The alternative requires renting a jack hammer and purchasing a substantial amount of concrete sand and landscape fabric.