A dry polymer cement overlay for trafficked pavement substrates (both asphalt and concrete). The dry polymer cement overlay is a thin overlay that can handle the load of traffic in a relatively short time and has a relatively long life cycle. Moreover, the dry polymer cement overlay can hold aggregate that is applied on the surface of dry polymer cement overlay before it cures in order to provide a friction surface. A stencil is used during application of a dry polymer cement layer to provide a patterned overlay that includes patterns separated by gullies. The patterned dry polymer cement overlay exhibits improved performance including short and long term substrate adhesion, reduced risk of delamination, safety through improved surface runoff and enhanced visibility, improved macro and micro friction, reflective crack management, and withstands higher deflections under heavy loads. The patterned dry polymer cement overlay may also reduce noise and improve aesthetics.