Transforming drab concrete surfaces with vibrant paint is a rewarding way to refresh your space. While painting concrete requires more time and specific tools compared to painting drywall, the results can beautifully enhance your walls, floors, steps, or patios. The porous nature of concrete can make painting a bit tricky, but with the right preparation and technique, you can achieve excellent results.
You might be able to do without primer on other surfaces, but priming concrete is an essential step before you apply any paint.
Types of Concrete Paint
When it comes to painting concrete, not just any paint will do. It’s important to choose the right kind of paint—and one that is meant to be applied on concrete. Painting a slab of concrete with the wrong paint can lead to it easily cracking and peeling away.
For a long-lasting look, acrylic latex and epoxy paints are the most common choices when it comes to selecting concrete paints. Acrylic latex paint is a water-based product that mixes and spreads easily, and is designed to conceal imperfections and resist fading. While it’s the most affordable concrete paint option, it’s not always the most durable, so it’s best for walls, ceilings, and low-traffic areas. Epoxy paint, on the other hand, is more durable and suitable for use on outdoor patios or garage floors.
1.) Clean the Concrete
Preparing a concrete surface to be painted is more tedious than the painting itself. In order to ensure the paint adheres properly, you want to clean the surface thoroughly.
Clear away any leaves or piles of dirty. Fill a bucket with warm water and dish soap. Dip a rage into the soapy solution and scrub away any grime stuck to the concrete surface. If the concrete is caked with debris, use a stiff cleaning brush to scrub the surface until it’s clean.
If you’re working with an exterior concrete surface that’s extremely dirty, such as steps or a walkway, you might consider cleaning it with a pressure washer at this step.
2.) Repair Cracks and Damage
If you don’t fill any cracks in the concrete before you paint it, moisture will seep into those cracks and eventually cause the fresh coal of paint to peel away. To prevent that, you want to fill any cracks or damaged areas with a concrete crack filler.
Apply the filler with a caulk gun or with the applicator the filler came with. Before moving onto the next step, wait for the concrete crack filler to completely dry. This can take up to three days, depending on the product. Check the product’s instructions for specific drying times.
3.) Apply Concrete Paint Primer
Now that you have a clean concrete surface, you can apply your concrete paint primer. The primer will help fill any small gaps or voids you missed with concrete filler, as well as help create a smooth surface between the concrete and paint. This will ensure that the paint will stick to the concrete.
Use a paint brush to apply the primer to corners and edges. Then use a roller to fill in the larger concrete surfaces.
If you are painting over concrete that already has paint on it, apply two coats of primer, allowing the first coat to dry completely before applying a second coat.
Tip: If you are painting a concrete surface that is outdoors, check the weather for the days you plan to paint so that it will have a chance to dry properly.
4.) Apply the Concrete Paint
Starting with a paint brush, apply the concrete paint around the edges of the surface. Then use a paint roller to cover the larger areas.
Apply at least two coats, allowing each coat to dry according to the paint manufacturer’s instructions—usually a day or two in between coats.
5.) Apply a Concrete Sealer
Once you’re finished priming and painting the concrete surface, you want to seal it in order to protect it from damage.
Following the manufacturer’s instructions, use a clean paint brush and a roller to apply the concrete sealer. Allow for it to dry completely before resuming any normal activity on or around the concrete.