How To Prepare To Paint A Concrete Porch With Non Skid Paint
Non-skid paint is very easy to install on a concrete porch. In fact, most types roll on just like any other paint. However, painting on concrete is very different than painting on other surfaces like wood or drywall. If you dont take the proper steps to prepare your surface, your paint will not adhere properly. Take the time to ensure a good clean and even base for your non-skid paint, and it will give you good coverage for years to come.
1.
Wait a minimum of 60-days for new concrete to fully cure before painting. This allows any moisture in the fresh concrete to dry and allows the pH level of the concrete to balance out.
2.
Remove any loose existing paint with a scraper or wire brush to ensure a solid foundation for your paint.
3.
Clean bare concrete with a degreaser and then an acid-based concrete cleaner. For coated or painted concrete, simply remove any debris and clean with a degreaser.
4.
Ensure your porch is thoroughly dry before continuing the painting process. Tape a sheet of plastic to your porch to test for moisture. After 24-hours if there is no condensation on the plastic and the concrete beneath it isnt darkened with moisture, youre safe to paint. If the moisture test fails, cover the porch with a tarp for a few days and test it again for dryness.
References
Other Tips For Painting A Concrete Porch
- Remove everything from your porch before you begin the process.
- If there are plants nearby, cover them with drop cloths.
- Ensure that you choose several days in a row of nice weather before beginning any exterior painting job.
- Be cautious in your porch paint color selection. You want it to complement the exterior of your home. A muted shade is normally ideal. Darker colors emphasize the porch while lighter colors allow the porch to remain understated.
- If you struggle with bugs during the painting process, light citronella candles around your work area to keep bugs at bay.
- Once your project is over, clean the painting tools with water or solvent and store them on nails to dry.
How Long Does Paint On Concrete Last
Paint on concrete can last for three to five years if it is properly applied and maintained.
But, like all paint jobs, it will eventually need to be refreshed. How often youll need to repaint your patio will depend on a number of factors, including the type of paint you use, the amount of traffic the area receives, and whether or not you live in an area with extreme weather conditions. With proper care, your painted patio can look great for many years to come.
Here are some tips on how to make your paint job last:
Use high-quality paint specifically designed for concrete surfaces.
Be sure to clean the surface and repair any damage before painting.
Apply a primer before painting, especially if youre using light-colored paint.
Choose a paint color that will blend well with your homes exterior.
Follow the manufacturers instructions for application and cleanup.
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How To Paint And Stencil A Concrete Porch Or Patio Floor
Stenciled painted concrete patio or porch how-to instructions.
supplies needed:
- Valspar Porch, Floor and Patio Paint Base color used: Stone Mountain
- Paint brush for painting around edges of floors
- Paint roller with a 3/4 nap roller cover
- Paint roller pole
Time needed: 2 days.
How to Paint and Stencil a Concrete Porch or Patio Floor using a Cutting Edge Design Stencil.
Power wash the floor or scrub well with hot water and detergent or TSP. Rinse well and let dry.
This is an important step, so dont skip it. Roll on one coat of concrete primer. It goes on white, but will dry clear. Let dry for one hour. After one to four hours you will need to add the first coat of paint.
When stenciling a floor you need two colors of paint. Use a 1/2 nap paint roller to apply one light coat of base paint color. Let dry. Apply second coat of base color paint and let dry at least 4 hours or overnight.
When using a stencil you need to figure out where the best place is to start. Make sure to read the directions that come with the stencil. You want to consider what part of the floor you see first as this is where you want to make sure a full tile shows up. Then against a far wall would be where the stencil ends and it may not be a full tile.
Check the dry time on the paint label on how long you need to let it dry before walking over it or placing furniture back on.
Can You Paint Concrete Patios
The first step is to establish whether concrete patios can be painted. The answer is yes, they can be painted, however they cannot be painted using any generic paint. Contrary to popular belief, a standard masonry paint is not suitable to be applied to a concrete patio. This is down to a number of reasons:
- Masonry paint is designed for vertical concrete & brick walls
- Masonry paint cannot withstand standing water, which an outdoor concrete patio has to endure
- Masonry paint is not designed to take the wear and tear from foot fall that a floor must endure, which is why floor paints are specifically designed
While a masonry paint will adhere to concrete once a primer has been applied, the durability of masonry paint once applied to a floor will be poor, lasting a fraction of the lifespan of the product if applied to an exterior wall, as it was designed to do. The reality is, even under conditions they were designed under, standard masonry paints are susceptible to moisture soaking through the paint film and causing the paint to peel & flake off the concrete. This is why waterproof masonry paints were developed in order to prevent this water ingress, although these are not suitable for horizontal surfaces also as they have not been designed to repel water that sits on the surface of the concrete.
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How To Clean And Etch A Concrete Surface
Step 1
If your previously coated surface is in good condition, you may coat over it. However, you are still required to clean the surface.
Step 2
Apply the product directly on stained areas for best results. Use the product at full strength for tough stains and diluted for general cleaning.
TIP: It is highly recommended to use a plastic watering can to evenly distribute the product.
Step 3
Work the degreaser and cleaner into the surface with a stiff bristled, non-metal brush or broom. Allow the product to stand for 10-20 minutes then scrub vigorously. DO NOT allow the surface to dry.
TIP: Heavily stained areas or older stains may require additional applications.
Step 4
Thoroughly rinse the concrete surface with fresh water while scrubbing at the same time to properly remove all remaining residue. Pressure wash for best results.
TIP: Don’t forget to saturate surrounding grass and plants with fresh water.
Step 5
Using a non-metal squeegee or mop, remove the excess water from the entire project area. Prevent all rinse solution from entering storm drains.
Step 6
The ideal surface profile for coating should be clean and feel like medium to light grit sandpaper. To achieve this, apply your cleaner and etcher product to the surface with a plastic watering can.
How To Paint A Concrete Porch The Right Way
In the past three summers, I painted 2 out of 3 of our concrete porches. The first one that I painted in 2019 was our large back porch.
Unfortunately, I didnt do enough research ahead of time and I completely botched the project. Though the end result was beautiful, the road to get there was a huge mess with pivots and setbacks, and lessons learned along the way.
When I decided to paint the second porch in 2020, I was ready for redemption!
Now that we are sitting almost one year later, with zero issues from porch 2, Im finally comfortable sharing the process.
Today I will be taking you through all of the correct steps that I took to get our side porch prepped and painted and beautiful THE FIRST TIME!
read before starting this is important!
If you are thinking about painting a concrete porch, you will want to make sure that you prep properly! This project is extremely time-consuming because it involves a lot of little steps over multiple days. In order to do this correctly, you need to wait 24 hours in between each of these steps.
The beforeHow do you prepare a concrete porch for painting?
Clean The Concrete
The first thing you need to do should be fairly obvious, but you will need to clear everything off your porch! All of the furniture and decor needs to go. Once the porch is clear, its time to do a deep clean!
I did the deep clean as a three-step process with a PRESSURE WASHER.
After the deep clean, its time to etch the concrete.
THE AFTER
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Advantages To Painting Concrete
Painted concrete certainly has its advantages. A fresh coat of paint or stain can really spruce up concrete basement or garage walls and floors, bringing new life to a worn concrete patio. Concrete paints and stains help to mask surface discoloration and signs of wear and tear and they extend the life of concrete by preventing further damage. Coating a concrete surface with paint can also make for easier cleaning and maintenance.
What Kind Of Paint Can Be Used On A Concrete Porch Or Patio
Not every type of paint can be used for concrete and patios. You dont want to use exterior house paints on concrete as they tend to crack and peel over time.
The best paint for exterior concrete floors is paint that is made specifically for porch and patio floors. It is formulated for durability with binders that allow the paint to contract and expand with the concrete as the temperature changes.
Almost every major brand of paint makes a porch and floor paint that come in pre-mixed colors and that can also be made into any color you want.
For this previously painted and now worn concrete porch, we used two products from Valspar. One can of concrete primer and two colors of porch, floor and patio paint.
- Valspar Latex Satin Porch, Floor and Patio Paint
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Is It Better To Paint Or Stain A Concrete Patio
A patio is the perfect location for outdoor entertaining and it can be used year-round in many places. Even in the coldest months of the year, a firepit or outdoor heater can transform a patio into an exterior living space. If youre the type who spends a lot of time enjoying your backyard, a boring patio can be a downer. Adding plants, furniture and décor can make a difference, but you can also update your current cement patio by changing the color. There are two basic options to choose from, staining and painting, so deciding which is right for your needs and your budget is essential.
Apply 1 Coat Of Valspars Concrete Binding Primer
Allow it to dry 1-4 hours before applying your paint. This stuff went on like a glue, which was a transparent white color. But then dried clear. It was dried to the touch after about 2 hours. You will want to follow the instructions on the can, which say to apply the paint within 4 hours of applying the binding primer.
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How To Repaint A Concrete Porch
The last time I painted our concrete porch in 2016, I used Olympic Rescue Paint but our Home Depot stopped selling it and I didnt want the hassle of trying to pick paint online and it not being accurate. So at the store, they told me that I could use the Behr Porch & Patio Floor Paint right over the existing paint if I cleaned it well with their recommended cleaner. To be honest, I liked the Olympic Rescue Paint better. The Behr paint remains slightly tacky after a week which is frustrating me a bit. But its held up well and didnt peel off with the painters tape which is always my biggest fear after putting so much work into it. There was only one tiny spot where it came off with the tape.
Is It Worth Painting A Concrete Patio
Yes, painting a concrete patio can be worth the time, effort, and cost. A fresh coat of paint can brighten up your patio and make it look new again.
Additionally, painting your patio can protect it from damage caused by weathering and wear. If youre looking to improve the appearance of your homes outdoor space, painting your concrete patio is a great option.
We Found Great Concrete Patio Paint HERE
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Update: I Painted Another Concrete Porch
We made a big life change in the summer of 2022 and moved our family to Arizona! You can read more about it HERE!
One project I tackled within the first few months was painting our front porch!
The only thing I changed in this warm-dry-desert climate is the PRIMER I used.
2022 Front Porch
Paint Colors: SW Windfresh White & A custom color match to our current exterior body
If the painted concrete porch project has inspired you, I would love to hear about it! Make sure to follow along on for more project ideas with a unique twist.
shop this project:
Choose The Right Paint Or Stain
Be sure to use masonry paint or concrete stain when painting or staining concrete. Some paint brands offer a stain and sealant in one for optimal convenience.
Pro tip: Masonry paint is sometimes called elastomeric paint or elastomeric wall coating.
For application, masonry paint is often thicker than regular paint and can be applied with a high-capacity roller or brush. Be sure to use a thicker roller. If you use one that’s too smooth, it won’t get in all of the nooks of the concrete. No matter how well you cleaned the concrete prior to painting, dirt and debris can still get stuck on your paint roller. To avoid that, you can also use a paint sprayer for this project. You can use this same process with a decorative stencil as well.
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How To Paint Concrete Floors On Your Patio
Learn how to paint concrete floors on your patio! This tutorial shows you how to transform your porch or patio with paint!
Our patio was looking rather drab. I really wanted to paint the brick on our house but havent been able to convince my husband its a good idea. I did manage to get him to go with painted concrete floors!
We went back and forth on whether or not to do a stenciled design and ultimately, for simplicity sake, went with stripes. Our patio is HUGE and doing a stencil design on the concrete would have taken ages.
Talk To Our Professional Remodeling Team
To ensure your concrete painting project is a success, you can always turn to the experts at Reliable Home Improvement. We have a vast amount of experience making concrete basements look beautiful, building home additions and completing home remodels of all kinds. You might even find theres a better alternative to meet your end goal of improving your concrete space.
Contact Reliable Home Improvement today to learn more about our remodeling services for inside and outside your home.
As a full-service remodeling company, Reliable Home Improvement has evolved over 50 years into a premier design/build firm in the Chicagoland area. We specialize in providing custom-designed home additions, designer kitchens, elegant bathrooms and finished basements.
As a full-service remodeling company, Reliable Home Improvement has evolved over 50 years into a premier design/build firm in the Chicagoland area. We specialize in providing custom-designed home additions, designer kitchens, elegant bathrooms and finished basements.
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The Truth About How To Paint Concrete Patios
A dirty & tired looking concrete patio can be a real eyesore on your home. That is why many homeowners consider painting the concrete in order to add a fresh new look to their outdoor spaces. Unfortunately, the information regarding painting concrete patios can be very confusing, which is why our experts have put together this guide in order to give you all the information you need.
Tips For Painting A Concrete Porch
- Written by Hannah Madans Welk on Mar 22, 2022
Painting a porch can bring new life to your home. If you’ve recently repainted the house, this can help the porch match the rest of the home. If it’s been a while since you touched it up, you might appreciate the look of a fresh new coat.
Luckily, concrete porches are one of the easier types of porches to paint. If you’ve never done so before, here are some tips to get you started.
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What Is The Best Paint For Exterior Concrete Floors
The 7 top concrete paints for any project
- Best overall: Rust-Oleum Decorative Concrete Coating.
- Best for your budget: Kilz Decorative Concrete Coating.
- Most weather resistant: In The Swim Patio And Deck.
- Best for your driveway: Rust-Oleum EpoxyShield Professional Floor Coating Kit.
- Best for your porch: INSL-X Sure Step.
How Do I Prep A Concrete Patio For Painting
Although most concrete patio paints can be applied to previously painted or coated surfaces, be sure to remove any loose or peeling coatings using a wire brush or other abrasion method to sand down to a sound surface. Next, use a concrete degreaser and pressure washer to thoroughly clean the concrete surface from dirt and grime. More stubborn stains such as leaf and grass stains, fertilizer stains, rust, and mold will usually require special cleaners and removal methods. For advice, see Removing Stains from Concrete.
For proper paint adhesion, the concrete surface should also have a slight texture. If the surface is extremely smooth or has a hard-troweled finish, it may need to be acid etched or mechanically abraded first. In addition, some concrete patio and porch paints may require the application of a primer coat to improve bonding. Always read the application instructions on the paint container and follow the manufacturers recommendations.
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