A fresh coat of colour does the job right and it is easy when you can rely on innovative and strong tools that make heavy lifting less challenging.
Concrete is said to be the most durable construction material and in order to maintain its charm, it is important to get it sealed in case of any issue. Concrete floors are very versatile in nature which means that they offer a lot of options for improvements, alterations, and repairs. One can easily scrape off dried gunk, change the colour, fill cracks, and also add patterns.
If you have concrete floors in your garage and basement, just know that you no longer have to live with lackluster. All you need to do is refresh the space by painting or sealing the floor.
With the help of the right tools and techniques, you can achieve the look you want for your space. Just follow the given steps
Prepare the Floor Surface
Even after your concrete floor is covered with a new color, its condition will be visible. Cracks, lumps and other imperfections that you did not deal with before painting will retain the texture. That is why you would want the surface to be as smooth and tidy.
Get Rid of the Gunk
Basement floors and garages are notorious for stuck-on paint splatters and stubborn residue. Fortunately, getting away with gathered gunk does not have to be that back-breaking task in case you use a scraper. Even though this tool has a rock-hard and high-carbon steel blade, it makes it easy to scrap away the hard residue.
Paint Sticks Only to a Dry and Clean Floor Surface
For the best results, begin with a concrete degreasing product that suits your floor (look into the fact if it is inside or outside). It is important because concrete degreasing products are applied to wet concrete, so, it is mandatory for you to wear protective eyewear, gloves, etc.
Cleaning indoor floors can be a bit trickier because you cannot spray them with a hose. So, in such a case, use a pump-type sprayer to saturate the concrete with water and then apply the degreasing solution by following the given instructions. Make sure you keep a dry vacuum handy to remove excess liquid. You might have to spray the floor sometimes and vacuum up the water every time to completely get away with the degreasing solution.
Fill Cracks, If Any
Concrete filler fixes best to clean cracks, so just scrape away any crumbling concrete by using any brush that has less hard bristles.
Prime and Paint
Priming is important before painting the concrete floor as it helps in ensuring that your new look will stick on the floor for a long time. Select a primer that is compatible with the epoxy paint as well as concrete that you will use as a finished coat.
Epoxy paint is considered the best choice for floors that experience the most abuse. Also, you will get the most durable results from epoxy, and it will hold up better with time than any other paint. Make sure both the primer and paint are suitable for your floor – whether interior or exterior floor.
Wait Until the Concrete Floor Dries Up
If the floor is not dry, the moisture will prevent the paint from sticking to the floor. Easy way to see if the floor is dry enough or not, place a small piece of kitchen plastic wrap to the surface of the concrete floor. After that, seal all the edges with tape and wait.
If moisture has condensed on the underside of the plastic, allow the concrete to dry up within 24-hours and test it again. When there is no condensation present, you are good to go.
Seal the Deal
Once the epoxy coating gets dry, check the label for drying time, your floor will look amazing, but for the long results, it would be a great idea to apply a sealant. Choose a sealant for exterior or interior use based on the location of the floor. Also, see the one that is compatible with the epoxy you have applied on the concrete floor.
Clean Sealant Around the Edges
Brush the concrete sealant around the edges and then roll it on the floor. Let it dry completely before you start walking on it. The concrete sealant will also add a lustrous finish, it will provide a durable protective coating, and will also prevent the paint from fading so your floor will look just the way it used to look years before.
CLEANUP TIPS
- Most primers, sealants, and epoxy paints can be cleaned just with soap and water.
- You can reuse the same roller cover for both priming and painting concrete floors only if you clean it thoroughly.
- Toss out the pan liners but save the plastic paint roller pan for use in the near future.
- When the sealant gets dried up, use a sharp utility blade and cut it along the edges of the painter’s tape before pulling it off.
Concrete Paint Vs Sealers
At Tuff Build, we do not paint concrete floors. We use concrete sealant to give long-lasting and better results.
Here’s why you must consider sealing concrete over painting the floor;
- Painting creates a thick coat that easily flakes/ peels.
- Paint covers the texture of concrete and hides the real look.
- Also, it is more likely to make the floor slippery.
Get your concrete floor sealed by our expert services. Reach out to our professionals at Tuff Build.
We have a team of flooring experts who take care of every aspect of your floor, your budget, need and individual requirements. So, if you have queries regarding the flooring – epoxy, urethane, flake paint chips, and concrete sealers, go nowhere but to Tuff Build, the best epoxy flooring experts in Melbourne.