How to Paint Concrete
Are you tired of looking at your boring wall? Do you want decorate your floor? Having a newly-painted wall and floor is a refreshing idea. You just need to have enough time to do it, as it may take days before you finish. Here are some steps you can follow.
Things you’ll need:
Brush
Brush cleaner
Roller
Sealer
paint
Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)
Bucket
scrub bush
mop
Steps:
Prepare The Concrete Surface
Clear your working area. Remove furniture, plants, vases, picture frames and other items. You should be able to move freely within the working area.
Clean the surface.
Take off the old paint with a wire brush or scraper.
Wash the surface with a bucket full of water and soap.
Remove grease with a degreaser or any commercial solution for cleaning concrete. A cat litter may also absorb the grease. Use Trisodium phosphate and a mop or brush to clear the wall.
Rinse the surface and let dry for a few days.
Use concrete patch or hydraulic cement to repair cracks.
Wait for the patch to dry.
Paint The Concrete Walls
Apply a masonry coating.
When the coating is dry already, coat the surface with primer. You may use a brush or a sprayer for this. Let dry completely.
Apply the first coat of paint.
Use a roller attached to a long pole.
Make long, smooth and overlapping strokes.
Wait for the paint to dry before applying another layer.
Continue repeating this step as needed. Remember to wait for the layer to dry before coating another one.
Once the last layer is completely dry, check for areas you might have missed. Paint these areas, otherwise, coat the wall with a sealer.
Paint The Concrete Floors
Check if there are any curing mixture used to make the concrete. Curing substances may affect how the paint will adhere to the concrete.
Check for moisture. Presence of moisture is an indication that the concrete is not ready to be painted. Look where the moisture is coming from. Remove the source and clear the moisture away.
Check the concrete’s characteristics. Paint will not stick on hard concrete. A good concrete should have a texture of a sand paper. To achieve a favorable one, you can use an acid etcher.
Wash the floor thoroughly with water or ammonia after applying an acid etcher.
Wait for the floor to dry.
Apply the first coat of paint.
Wait for the paint to dry before applying another layer.
Continue repeating this step as needed. Remember to wait for the layer to dry before coating another one.
Once the last layer is completely dry, check for areas you might have missed. Paint these areas, otherwise, coat the floor with a sealer.
Tips:
Don’t forget to use a drop cloth to avoid getting paint on unnecessary areas.
Have a good ventilation in your working area and wear a mask. You may have a hard time breathing with paints and sealers in the place.
Facts:
There are several types of floor paints in the market. Here are a few to choose from:
Epoxy concrete floor coating. This is a strong paint solution and is advisable to use on most garages and basements. This kind of paint also gives you a non-skid surface.
Concrete stain is good for living rooms. You might have to ask for professional help when using this paint.
Concrete dyes. It’s a bit hard to use concrete dyes if you’re a beginner on painting concrete floors. Getting the right shade is a trial and error process. It is best if you consult a professional.
Traditional Paint. If you don’t want to spend too much money on paint, this is the best choice. You just have to apply the paint correctly and not forget to seal the concrete.
Painting concrete requires time. You may decide to make this a project for home improvement. Remember to prepare the surface first before painting and the rest will be easy.