Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - concrete pillar

i poured a little concrete pillar for my lamppost...i used a 12 round sonnet tube...My question is how do I smoothe the outside of the pillar? I have some hole in it and would like to make it look neater...Thanks

First, get a brick or rubbing rock and rough the surface up a bit. Next, buy some sand mix (portland cement and sand mixed together) and a rubber float. Mix the sand mix up with water to a fairly stiff consistency. Wet the column down with water (just keep it damp) and apply the sand mix to the column with the rubber float. Fill in all the holes and imperfections. After it sets up a bit, you can rub it again with the rubber float to knock some of the sand off the otside surface, or just leave it alone if you like the look.

Pecos

Is top bond the same as you described? Thanks

Not familiar with that product but could be. Really, any cement based product would probably work as long as it contains some sand as well. Just not straight Portland cement.