How to Get the Best Results with Concrete Paint

Concrete was one of the greatest building innovations ever. It allowed buildings to become bigger and stronger, it also allowed homes and garages to have amazingly strong foundations. Today, concrete comprises the majority of walls and floors in our home’s basements. It is also the primary flooring material of garages and carports. Concrete is amazingly strong especially when it is reinforced with metal as it is in most modern construction.

Why paint concrete? Concrete is a porous surface that will suck up spills and stains. It also can become discolored over time. Concrete also can look very industrial, which is a look that most of us do not want to come home to! Concrete paint gives you a washable surface that is easy to take care of and has a uniform color and finish that can brighten any room’s walls or even floors!

Proper prep of your concrete is the only way to get the best results with concrete paint!

The first rule to painting concrete is proper preparation of the surface. No matter how good or expensive your paint, without proper prep, it will not last and will not provide decent protection for your surface.

Step 1 Paint Removal: All previous paint must be removed to do a great job at getting your concrete paint to last. In areas where it is practical, a power washer is a must have. Use the power washer to remove old paint and dirt. If you do not have access to a power washer or if it is not practical to use one (like in your home!) you will need to scrape as much of the old paint off by hand.

Step 2 TSP: You will need to scrub the surface with TSP. TSP, or Tri-Sodium Phosphate, is a readily available cleaner that will remove any grease or oil from the surface. Carefully follow the instructions on the package and make sure that you let the area dry before moving on to the next step.

Step 3 Sealer: All concrete surfaces must be sealed or else moisture can seep through ruining your paint and your room. When you are choosing a sealer, make sure you look for one that is right for your location. There are sealers that are specially formulated for garage floors and sealers that are designed for use inside of your home. Also, when you are sealer shopping let them know that you plan on priming and painting the surface, there are a few sealer/primers available that will remove the next step from your project.

Step 4 Primer: Sealers are only for stopping moisture unless you use a sealer/primer. Therefore, the surface must be coated with a primer to ensure that your paint will stick to the surface. Primers create a bond between the paint and the sealer making the paint last longer and look better because it helps form a consistent surface.

Step 5 The Painting: Once you have allowed the primer to completely set, it is time to start painting. Use a roller to apply your paint, this will speed up the process and helps put a little texture into the paint which can cover up any small imperfections in the concrete itself. You will want to apply two light coats of the paint, allowing for the first coat to dry before starting the second. Two light coats are always better than one for making the paint last the longest. If you are painting a concrete floor, you may want to add some texture by adding paint texture additives to your second coat. Painted concrete floors can get very slippery, especially when they get wet!

Step 6 Let it dry!: Next to proper preparation, this is the most important step. I only say this because I have seen plenty of permanent foot prints in painted concrete floors. It may look dry, it may feel dry to the touch, but do not step on it until you are absolutely sure! It is not worth ruining all of your hard work by jumping the gun!

Related Posts:

• How to Maintain Your Garage Floor
• How to Maintain Your Carport
• Removing Oil Stains From Your Driveway and Garage

How to Maintain Your Carport

When you don’t have any extra room in your garage, a carport is a great way to protect your assets from the weather. A sturdy carport can extend the life of any vehicle and can make it a lot nicer to get into in the winter months. However, once your carport starts to show its age, they can become eyesores very quickly.

There are multiple types of structures that you can use as a carport. Many steel, aluminum, and plastic pre-formed kits exist to help you construct one quickly and cheaply. If you live in a home with an older carport, it most likely constructed of wood or wood and metal. A wood constructed carport requires more maintenance than a metal one, but can easily be maintained with minimal effort.

To really keep your carport looking its best, I recommend getting a power washer.

If you have a wooden carport, the power washer is great for quick cleanups even in the tallest parts of your carport. They can blast away grime and loose paint, which comes in very handy when you plan on repainting. It is very important to keep up the paint on your carport. Without the paint, the wooden structure will be susceptible to bugs and rot. A power washer is also a great investment for metal carport owners as well. They are also great at removing the startup bird nests that are always showing up in the rafters or the roofing of your carport. If you cannot afford a power washer for your carport, a bucket of soapy water and a good, long-handled brush will do a great job.

If you have trees around your carport, you may begin to see mold and mildew building up on the roof. Put on some clothes that you care nothing about and get the sturdiest ladder that you own. If you can safely set up scaffolding alongside your carport, this will save you some time. Now mix one part bleach to ten parts of water in a large bucket. Scrub the roof of your carport with the mixture and a stiff brush. Rinse with a lot of water.

It you get oil stains on the concrete floor in your carport; use our tip for Removing Oil Stains from your Driveway.