How do you paint a concrete floor?

Adding some color to a boring, gray floor is easier than you think. Follow this seven-step process to paint a concrete floor. Take note of what you’ll need to complete this project below:

What do you need?

• Bucket, soapy water and mop (indoors)
• Electric washer, detergent and scrubber (outdoor)
• Degreaser
• Electric sander
• Sandpaper
• Vacuum cleaner
• Material
• Concrete patch / wall filler
• Mala
• Wall sealer
• Wall lining
• Paint roller
• Paintbrush
• Wall paint

1. Wash

First, thoroughly wash your concrete floor. Start by sweeping up any dust and debris. If your concrete floor is inside and polished, fill a bucket with some soapy water and mop the entire area. After applying the mild cleaner to the floor, rinse with clean water. A power washer is the most effective for exterior concrete floors. Pour some detergent onto the floor and use a stiff broom to thoroughly clean it. Then, remove all dirt and grime with the pressure washer.

It is also recommended that floors be scrubbed with a degreaser, whether indoors or outdoors. You can also abrade the floor with a rust remover and/or concrete abrasive. The cleaner the surface, the better the paint coating will be in the following process.

2. Sand it

After washing, you need to make sure that the concrete floor is completely dry. If there are any signs of water leaks, this needs to be addressed before you start the project, otherwise you will only have moisture problems down the line. Once you are sure the area is dry, you can sand it down using an electric sander.

During this process, you’ll want to make sure that old paint is removed and any concrete lumps are sanded down. The goal is to achieve a smooth, even surface. After sanding the floor, you’ll need to vacuum it and then wipe it down with a cloth to remove any debris and efflorescence – the white powdery crystalline residue that sometimes forms on damp walls, plaster or concrete surfaces.

3. Fix it

After sanding your floor, you will most likely find a few areas that need to be filled to achieve the desired finish. If the floor is very rough and has very large holes, you may need to use concrete patching. Minor imperfections such as small holes and cracks can be repaired using masonry filler.
Use a trowel to smooth out any imperfections. Follow package directions carefully and allow to dry before moving on to the next step in the project. It is important to get the floor as smooth as possible so that moisture does not strip the paint from the concrete floor.

4. Seal it

Applying a sealer before priming and painting the floor will also help prevent moisture from seeping through the floor and peeling the paint. There's no point in rushing the project, so apply two or even three coats of sealer.
Use a paint roller for most of the job and a paintbrush to get into the corners. Tape is always handy to make sure you paint the lines. Always make sure you allow enough time for each coat to dry.

5. Prepare

Now it’s time to prepare the floor for painting. Also, using a roller and paintbrush, apply concrete bonding primer to the floor surface. The wall primer will help the paint adhere to the floor, so it’s an important step in the process. Depending on the conditions, you may want to apply two coats of primer. If you do this, make sure each coat is completely dry before applying the next.

6. Paint

This is the step you are getting ready to get to. Double check that you are purchasing wall paint as it is specifically formulated to expand and contract with the temperature changes of the concrete.
Do some color research before applying and find a color combination that you think will work best for a particular floor.
For smaller areas, you can use a paint roller or paint compressor and a paintbrush. Allow the surface to dry for at least twenty-four hours before applying a second coat of paint.

7. Close again

It is a good idea to reseal your concrete floor after painting it for a better finish. Remember to let the surface dry completely between coats. Once it is dry, enjoy! You can move furniture or other objects onto the floor and let people walk on your new, shiny and beautifully painted concrete floor.

You may not have time to do this yourself, so why not bring in a painter to help you with this project?