Table of Contents
(Epoxy paint is the best choice for floors, which take a lot of abuse. You’ll get the most durable results from epoxy, and it will hold up better over time than latex paint.) Be sure that both the primer and paint are suitable for the location of your floor, whether it’s an interior or exterior surface.
Can you paint concrete floors with regular paint?
Painted concrete floors look great on any floor in your home including garage, basement, living room, patio or balcony. You can stain, paint, decorate, age, pattern or etch your concrete floor to get the look you want, one layer at a time. You can use normal paint, but it comes off within just a few months.
What kind of paint lasts on concrete?
Epoxy-based paints provide high durability and stain resistance, making them ideal for garage or patio floors. Masonry paints are designed for brick and other masonry applications, but also provide effective coatings for concrete.
How do you get paint to stick to concrete?
Use a trisodium phosphate solution or strong detergent to scrub the floor. Sanding with coarse emery paper may be required to give the old surface a rough texture for good paint bonding. Test a small area to make sure the new paint will adhere.
Do you need special paint for concrete?
Masonry paint (also called elastomeric paint or elastomeric wall coating) is a good choice for concrete painting because it contains binders that contract and expand with the concrete. Exterior house paint can crack and peel on concrete. No matter how you apply paint, let it dry for a day between coats.
Do I need to prime a concrete floor before painting?
Generally speaking, priming is so essential to successful painting outcomes, concrete will always needs a primer. However, the existing surface needs to be primed before painting if: It is unpainted. It is peeling.
Can you paint over concrete?
You can paint or stain just about any concrete surface—a walkway, concrete stairs, concrete brick walls, or even a basement or garage floor. Don’t skimp on the preparation before painting concrete. Getting the surface as clean and smooth as possible will give you the best results.
Is it better to stain or paint concrete?
When properly applied, the paint will last a long time without chipping or peeling and can also help hide imperfections or patch work on top of the concrete. In comparison, acid stain actually permeates the pores of the concrete and interacts with different components of the concrete.
Can I use acrylic paint on concrete?
Acrylic latex paint is a water-based product that mixes and spreads easily on masonry surfaces. You can use it to paint floors, walls, steps, or any other concrete or block surface. It doesn’t take any special tools, brushes, or rollers; it’s a very straightforward DIY product.
How do you keep paint from peeling off concrete?
Coat all areas of bare concrete with a suitable primer, such as Behr Concrete & Masonry Bonding Primer. That needs to cure at least eight hours. Then you can paint with a product designed for exterior concrete, such as Behr Premium Plus Porch & Patio Floor Paint.
How can I cover my concrete floor cheap?
Below are cheap options you can use to cover or modify your concrete floors: Concrete paint. Concrete stain. Carpet or area rugs. Tiles. Linoleum. Bamboo flooring. Cork flooring. Concrete overlays.
How can I make my concrete floor look nice?
The following are some ways you can use to make concrete floors look nicer: Acid Staining. Resin Flooring. Stained and Polished Concrete Flooring. Dyed Concrete Flooring. Painted Concrete Floors.
How do you paint over old concrete?
How to Paint Concrete STEP 1: Patch gouged or otherwise damaged areas with concrete filler. STEP 2: Clean the concrete surface with TSP. STEP 3: Let the surface dry thoroughly before you begin to paint the concrete. STEP 4: Brush paint onto the perimeter of the concrete. STEP 5: Roll on more paint to cover the interior.
How long does painted concrete last?
However, when correctly carried out and well-maintained, painted concrete can last for around three to five years, depending on the level of footfall or exposure to the elements. It also depends on the brand of paint you use, as some are higher quality than others.
What happens if you paint concrete without primer?
While priming a concrete surface seems like one more unnecessary step, it is actually a crucial part of your concrete painting project. Without the appropriate primer, you can expect a poor finish to your project, as well as peeling and cracking of the paint over time.
How soon can you paint a concrete floor?
Concrete floors should not be painted for at least 60 days after installation. It takes 30 days for the concrete to cure and a further 30 days for the balance of the moisture to leave the concrete.
Does painting concrete seal it?
As previously stated, concrete is porous, and can absorb moisture. If you are painting interior concrete it is vital to seal the concrete. As well as keeping out moisture, this will also help seal any cracks that may be present, a win-win.
Which lasts longer concrete stain or paint?
This also means that stain produces a unique but harder to control effect as it reacts with the concrete, while paint gives the same results every time. For its longevity, durability, and resistance to foot traffic, concrete stain takes the win in this round.
What is the difference between staining concrete and painting concrete?
Generally stains will require a sealer to bring out the depth in color whereas a paint is what it is when it dries and requires no additional surface coating or sealer. The biggest difference between concrete stain and paint is how they cover concrete. On the other hand, stain actually soaks into the concrete.
How do you color existing concrete?
Acid staining is a chemical reaction that permanently changes the color of the concrete surface. If you want to stain old concrete, using a true acid stain is always the best option. Avoid “acrylic stains” as these are disguised paint and will also peel with time.
Is acrylic paint waterproof?
Although it might be slightly water-resistant, it does not provide a waterproof coat. To make it waterproof, add a sealer over the acrylic paint. If you have not treated the surface in any way and the paint is still wet, the rain can wash away the acrylic paint.
Is oil-based paint good for concrete?
As mediums for painting go, concrete is not one of the better ones. Do not use oil-based or acrylic house paints on concrete or you’ll just have to paint it all over again, because acrylic paints peel, crack and just can’t take the abuse that concrete patios, sidewalks and driveways undergo.
Why does paint peel off concrete?
Concrete contains alkali which may be drawn to the surface by water. When the water evaporates the alkali leave a crystallized substance called efflorescence, which pushes against the paint film and causes peeling. If there is no moisture barrier under the concrete, moisture can easily seep through.
Why does paint bubble on concrete?
When a concrete porch is painted and the paint begins to dry… Moisture that was trapped in the concrete begins to evaporate when the temperature goes up. This allows the moisture deep in the concrete to come up to the surface and cause bubbles and blisters in the paint.
What is the cheapest way to paint a garage floor?
For only a few dollars more per gallon, 1-part epoxy paint will last longer and adhere better than standard latex acrylic concrete paint. Depending on brand, you can purchase it for a little over $35 a gallon and it will cover 300-400 square feet. You can review our recommendations for the best garage floor paint here.
