4 Things To Know About Painting Concrete
Concrete patios are very durable and an excellent option for a patio surface, but the color can be a little drab. If you want to have a more creative patio, you have the option of painting it. Here are some things to keep in mind before you complete this type of project.
Clean and Repair the Concrete First
Before you attempt to add primer and paint to your concrete, make sure you go through the right preparation steps. The very first thing you should do is clean the concrete thoroughly. This gives you a good base to start with and can help the primer adhere better to the patio. If you have any repairs that need to be done, such as holes or cracks, make sure those are completed before painting as well. You can get concrete filler that is easy to use and dries quickly. Once the filler is dry and the concrete patio is clean, you can continue with painting it.
Add Primer First
The next thing to be aware of in regards to painting a concrete patio is that it should have primer first. Primer is going to benefit you in a number of ways. First of all, it turns the concrete into a smooth surface that makes it easier to apply the paint. Primer can also help masonry paint stick better to the surface. Another benefit to primer is that when your concrete patio was previously painted and you are changing the color, the primer helps to adjust to the new color. By the time you add multiple layers of paint, you will be happy with the final color.
Paint Left to Right
Something you may not be aware of when painting concrete is that you need to paint left to right, instead of top to bottom. Whenever you are painting a large area, particularly a floor area, painting side to side is going to help keep you from accidentally stepping in the wet paint. When painting top to bottom, it gets a little more difficult to avoid. Left to right (or right to left) painting will also give you cleaner lines for the finished result. Also be sure that when your first coat is applied, you wait for it to dry completely before deciding if you need another coat.
Apply Sealant
Painting concrete requires you to apply sealant liberally over the surface. If you don't, the painted surface could experience some severe cracks over time. Sealing also protects the concrete patio from stains and sun damage.
If you don't feel confident about your ability to apply paint and sealant to the patio, you can hire a painter to do the job, such as Decorators Service Co., Inc.