Thinking about painting your concrete floor but not sure where to start? We’re here to help!
Painting a concrete floor might seem like a big job, but with the right guidance, it’s easier than you think. (Quite fun in fact)
Whether you're transforming your dusty garage into a showroom, brightening up a workshop or adding a layer of protection to your industrial floors, a fresh coat of paint makes a big difference.
In this step-by-step guide, we're going to walk you through exactly how to paint a concrete floor from start to finish. We’ll break it down into simple, manageable steps so you can get that professional-looking finish without the stress.
Why should I paint my concrete floor?
You might be wondering if it's worth all the effort. A floor is a floor at the end of the day so what's the point in painting it?
Well, painting your concrete floor isn’t just about making the area look nice (although you'd be surprised at how much difference a coat of paint can make) there are many benefits you might not have thought about:
Protection from damage - Concrete is tough, but it’s not invincible. Bare concrete is porous so it will quickly absorb oils, chemicals, and moisture. A good concrete floor paint will seal the surface, shielding it against stains and wear over time.
Cost-effective - Compared to other hard flooring options like tiles or wood, painting an existing concrete floor is incredibly budget-friendly. You get a professional finish for a fraction of the cost.
Dust-proofing - Unsealed concrete constantly sheds dust, also called laitance. By painting the surface you lock that dust away, making it much easier to keep the area (and whatever you store in it) clean.
Improved durability - For areas with regular foot traffic, vehicle traffic and heavy equipment a tough floor coating like an epoxy paint, acts as a barrier to reduce wear and lengthen the life of the concrete underneath.
Safety and hygiene - Painted floors are easier to clean, more resistant to bacteria growth, and can be applied with an anti-slip finish to increase slip resistance where needed.
It looks great - Doesn't matter if it's a factory floor, or your own private garage, a smooth glossy finish makes the whole area look brighter and more professional.
Things to consider before you start
Ok, so you've decided that you do want to paint your floor. Great. Next there are a few key questions to ask yourself to make sure the job goes as smoothly as possible.
What size is the area?
It doesn't have to be exact down to the millimetre, but the more accurate the better. Measure the length and width of your space and multiply them to work out the area in M².
This is important because it will give you an idea of how much product you will need to buy for accurate coverage.
What condition is the surface in?
We'll get into more detail on how to properly prepare each type of concrete surface for the best results later, but at this point we just want to know what we're up against. Take a closer look at your floor to see what condition it's in.
- New concrete - Generally concrete should be at least 2 months old before painting.
- Bare concrete - Concrete that has never been sealed or painted before will need to be washed and acid etched to provide a key.
- Previously painted concrete - Check for grease/oil stains as well as loose or flaking paint, these areas will need to be thoroughly cleaned or sanded away to make the surface sound
- Power floated - If the floor has a power floated finish then it may need to be shotblasted before any coatings are applied to give the paint a texture to grip to.
- Damaged - No point in putting lipstick on a pig. If your concrete is covered in cracks and holes, or has large uneven patches, then the damage will still be there after you've painted. Best to repair any imperfections at this stage with solid repair products.
Is the floor inside or outside?
Air and surface temperature are hugely important for the curing process of most floor paints. Be sure to check the datasheet to confirm if your paint is suitable for application you intend, you may need to use heaters or wait for warmer weather.
What type of traffic will the area be taking?
Heavier traffic requires stronger solutions. If the paint will be subjected to heavy footfall, forklifts or parked vehicles, then a more durable Epoxy Resin solution is definitely the way to go.
Choosing the right Concrete Floor Paint
Not all paints are created equal! Picking the right coating for your area is key to a long-lasting finish. Here’s a quick breakdown of the paints available at floorsaver as well as some of the other options you may come across.
Single Pack Polyurethane
Great for general use and ideally suited for areas with light to medium traffic. Single pack means it’s ready to use straight out of the tin, so no mixing required.
These paints have great coverage and due to their low price are the best value for money when painting large areas.
2-Pack Epoxy Resin
Two part epoxy paints work by mixing a resin base with a curing agent, leaving you with a tough protective layer once cured. Epoxy Resin Coatings are much stronger than single pack paints, they can handle heavy traffic, resist chemicals and are strong enough to park vehicles on without lifting.
100% Solids Epoxy
An even stronger type of Epoxy Resin Coating that contains no water or solvents. The result is an incredibly thick, durable layer that is even more resistant to impact, abrasion, chemicals etc. 100% Solids formulations are generally more expensive and needed for extreme industrial settings.
Polyaspartic
Polyaspartic paints are ideal for specialist applications as it cures incredibly quickly, has flexible qualities and can be applied in cold conditions.
Chlorinated Rubber
This is a flexible paint often used in areas that might get wet or need a bit of resistance to chemicals. Great for car park line-marking.
Anti Slip Coatings
For areas with a high risk of slipping, you may want to consider an anti slip paint. To achieve a non-slip finish, the aggregate/grit can either be pre-mixed into the paint or sprinkled on and rolled in while the paint is setting.
What you'll need
Now we've got all those checks out of the way, let's make sure you have the right gear.
Tools and Equipment
A stiff broom - For sweeping and cleaning the concrete.
A spouted jug or watering can with rose head attachment - For evenly applying your cleaner.
A wire brush or scraper - For removing stubborn dirt.
12" heavy duty paint roller and extension pole - For floor paint application.
Note: This is not the time to be using the old roller that you paint your walls in the house with. Epoxy paint is much stronger than typical emulsion paint, so you'll need a reinforced frame that won't snap on you mid job.
A paint tray or paint scuttle - To mix/hold the paint (Make sure it's wide enough to fit your roller).
A paint brush - For cutting in around the edges.
Protective nitrile gloves and goggles - For safety.
A mixing blade - For proper mixing we recommend our reusable drill attachment. (You can get away with a stirring stick, but it is hard work as you need to curing agent and resin to be thoroughly mixed)
Masking tape - For clean edges and to protect walls from splatter.
A mate - Many hands make light work.
Old clothes and shoes - Trust us, this stuff isn't washing out
Kneepads - Entirely optional, but could save your knees while cutting in
We've collected most of the tools you'll need in one handy painting kit which you can pick up for a reduced bundle price.
Products
- Floorsaver Pourable Concrete Filler or Floorsaver Mouldable Concrete Filler - For repairing cracks, holes and imperfections before painting.
- Floorsaver Pourable Concrete Leveller - For large uneven areas that need to be resurfaced prior to painting.
- Floorsaver Cleaner & Degreaser - For cleaning grease, grime and dust.
- Floorsaver Floor Etcher - To clean/open up the pores of smooth concrete.
- Floorsaver Universal Concrete Primer - A base coat to prepare porous concrete and improve paint adhesion.
- Floorsaver Epoxy Floor Paint - For a durable and professional looking finish that won't break the bank. For a less hard-wearing finish i.e. no vehicle traffic you could instead use Floorsaver Floor Paint which is our single pack alternative.
Preparing your surface
Start by clearing the area, getting rid of any equipment or furniture that doesn't need to be there. We wouldn't recommend painting in sections because it's very difficult to control the spread of dust. It's much less risky to clean and then paint the entire space in one go.
We'd also recommend gathering all your tools so you don't waste any time searching once you get rolling.
Repairs
As we said earlier, before you paint, you have to fix the canvas. Painting over a hole won't hide it, you'll just be left with a painted hole!
Taking the time to repair now ensures your new floor will look smooth and professional when you're done.
Cracks
Small cracks are common. Use a dedicated crack filler to smooth these out. It’s usually a simple two-part mix that you trowel into the gap.
Holes
For deeper potholes or wide cracks you’ll need a pourable filler or a repair mortar. These dry rock-hard and can be painted over.
Uneven surfaces
If your floor is rough or pitted, a self-levelling compound (or screed) can work wonders. It flows over the surface to create a perfectly flat base for your paint.
Cleaning
If your concrete is bare (but over 2 months old), previously sealed, or previously painted then a good clean is all you really need.
If the surface is quite smooth then we would recommend abrading it with some sandpaper to give it a key (Essentially some texture to 'stick' to).
Start by giving the area a thorough sweep with a stiff broom. Work from back to front, sweeping all loose dust, dirt and surface laitance away.
In this step you are looking to remove any loose material, to leave you with a sound substrate that won't peel up after you paint it.
After you've swept the floor, a once over with a hoover couldn't hurt either.
Now you're ready to apply your cleaner. We're using Floorsaver Cleaner & Degreaser.
Measure and dilute the solution, according to the datasheet, in your spouted jug.
Next, pour out the cleaner onto the floor and distribute it evenly with your (now clean) broom.
For heavily stained areas contaminated with grease or oil, you can pour the undiluted concentrate directly.
Leave for 5 minutes to work and then flush with clean water scrubbing each section as you go.
You can repeat the cleaning process as many times as necessary. Once adequately cleaned, flush again with clean water until no product remains.
Leave to dry.
Depending on the temperature, this could take a day or longer. You could use heaters to speed up the process.
Acid Etching
The purpose of a an acid etcher, like Floorsaver Floor Etcher, is to You should only use an acid etcher on bare concrete. We would generally recommend using an etcher over a
Ensure proper ventilation during preparation
Application Process
Use a primer for better adhesion
Apply paint evenly using a roller
Follow drying instructions carefully
Maintaining Your Painted Floor
Regularly clean to prolong lifespan
Avoid abrasive cleaners and tools
Inspect for damage and touch up as needed
Start your concrete floor project today
Enjoy the benefits of durable paint
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