The influence of several surface finishing techniques on the abrasion resistance of concrete specimens of various mix compositions has been measured by means of a rolling-wheel apparatus. Microstructural features of the cement matrix components of the exposed surfaces have been studied by mercury intrusion porosimetry and microhardness determinations. The results indicate that different methods of surface finishing produce substantially different microstructural characteristics within a surface zone of a few mm maximum thickness. For the systems investigated, it was found that the abrasion resistance was determined largely by the pore structure of this surface zone.