Concrete is a strong and durable material for outdoor patio use. However, plain concrete does look unattractive and doesn't seem suitable for display in the front or back yard. To make it look more attractive, you can paint a concrete patio, but there are some special things to keep in mind when doing this. Painting concrete is not as easy as it seems. However, with proper preparation, you can prevent problems and have a fun patio painting experience that doesn't cost a lot of time or money.
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Part 1 of 3: Cleaning the Concrete Patio
Step 1. Check the moisture of the concrete
Before painting the patio, make sure the paint can stick. All concrete is porous and absorbs moisture. However, if the concrete patio is too damp, you won't be able to paint it until the humidity is right.
- Take a thin sheet of aluminum or thick plastic, shape it into a 0.4 x 0.4 meter square and tape the four sides together with tape.
- Wait 16 to 24 hours. After that, remove the aluminum or plastic sheet and inspect the concrete surface and the bottom of the box for condensation or moisture levels.
- Continue with the cleaning and painting process if the concrete surface appears dry.
Step 2. Clean the concrete surface
Remove all furniture, decorations, plants, flower pots, toys, and other items on the patio. You'll need to set all these things aside so that the patio can be cleaned properly and painted evenly.
Step 3. Repair cracks in concrete
Clean the cracks with a wire brush. Vacuum or blow away dust and dirt, or use a broom to clean the cracks. Fill the cracks with concrete filler. Depending on the brand, you can apply a concrete filler with a gauze or putty gun if necessary. To fill in a deeper or wider gap, fill in 6mm springs at a time and wait for it to dry before you apply the next coat.
- Allow the concrete gap filler to dry for the length of time recommended in the instructions for use.
- Sand the cement or concrete gap filler with fine sandpaper (do not sand self-leveling seals or latex-based seals).
Step 4. Remove moss, roots, and vines
Remove any growth on the concrete surface and spray the patio with a high-pressure water spray if available. If you don't have one, just clean it by hand, sweep the patio, and spray with water to remove any remaining lumps, dirt, or debris.
Borrow a high-pressure water spray from a neighbor or rent it from an equipment rental or building materials store if you don't have one. A high pressure water spray is great for cleaning and rinsing concrete patios before painting
Step 5. Clean the concrete surface
Concrete can absorb and trap dirt and oil. To make sure the surface is completely clean for the paint to stick to, brush the concrete with a product that will remove any dirt, such as trisodium phosphate, hydrochloric acid, or phosphoric acid. This product will also help peel off the old paint that needs to be cleaned before repainting.
- Rinse the concrete so that the surface is wet.
- Sprinkle cleaning solution (acid, trisodium phosphate, or other cleaner) according to the instructions on the package.
- Scrub the concrete with a coarse brush.
- If you use hydrochloric acid or phosphoric acid, the process is called "scratching" and the concrete will have an abrasive-like texture that will allow the paint to stick more firmly. Scraping must be done before new or plain concrete is painted.
Step 6. Flush the concrete surface
Spraying with a high-pressure water spray is the best option, as it can wash away any debris, old paint, and crystallization (i.e. whitish salt deposits that form on surfaces such as concrete and stucco). If there is some old paint remaining on the concrete, scrub it with a wire brush and then spray it with a high-pressure water spray until it's clean.
- If you use an acid solution to clean concrete, neutralize the pH of the surface by sprinkling it with baking soda before rinsing it.
- After the scratching process, rinse with water until there is no more white powder left when you touch the concrete surface with your finger.
Part 2 of 3: Preparing for Painting
Step 1. Choose a paint
Since painted concrete is outdoors, you should know that not all paints are suitable for use. Ordinary exterior paint will easily crack on the concrete surface and peel off immediately after application. There are several types of paint that are suitable for outdoor concrete patios, including:
- Concrete paint containing a seal or waterproofing agent specially made to resist water, salt, oil and grease. This type of paint is the right choice because it is made for outdoor concrete that is resistant to weather attacks and other elements.
- Choose a latex, water, or oil-based exterior paint made specifically for floors, patios, or porches. This type of paint is also a good choice because it is made for exterior use and is resistant to human foot traffic.
- Choose masonry paint that contains a binder and an epoxy. Although this type of paint will adhere firmly to the concrete, it will not protect the concrete from weather factors and other elements.
Step 2. Choose a paint color
To help determine what color is suitable for the patio, you can consider options that match the exterior color of the house and the color of the furniture placed on the patio. Take a sample of the color to a paint shop to compare it to the available options. Feel free to ask for help and advice from a paint expert.
Step 3. Use a primer (base paint)
Primer concrete or block will make the surface smooth and even, compared to the surface of non-primary concrete which is uneven and porous. The primer will also reduce the number of coats needed to cover the entire surface well and firmly.
Choose an exterior-grade primer if you're going to use it, and make sure it's specifically designed for concrete. Concrete primers are often referred to as masonry primers or bonding primers
Step 4. Determine how much paint you need
Once you've decided what type of paint to use, do some basic calculations to determine how many cans of paint you need to cover the entire patio. Check the instructions on the paint can or on the manufacturer's website for how much area one can can cover, then compare that to the square feet of your patio.
- Square meters are determined by multiplying the length by the width of the area to be painted. If your patio isn't square or rectangular, don't worry, you just need the basic multiplication concept.
- Don't forget to count whether you're going to paint multiple coats. Once you've primed, you don't need to apply more than one or two coats of paint.
Step 5. Prepare all equipment
Before you start, collect all the equipment that will be used for painting. The best tools for painting are masonry brushes, large paint rollers, or textured rollers. The equipment you will need include:
- Primer (optional) and paint
- Paint roller handle and foam
- Paint tray
- Roller handle and brush extender
- Paper tape or special paint tape
- Big and small brushes.
Step 6. Protect surfaces that should not be exposed to paint
Use masking tape to cover surfaces that line the concrete patio, such as the ends of the porch deck, exterior walls, doors or windows, and other areas that should not be accidentally painted.
Step 7. Choose the right day
Ideally, start painting on a sunny day that hasn't rained in the previous 24 hours and is unlikely to rain again in the next few days. The best temperature for painting outdoors is around 10 degrees C.
Part 3 of 3: Painting a Concrete Patio
Step 1. Apply primer
Make sure your patio is completely dry before starting to apply primer. Pour the primer into the paint tray. Take a small brush and dip it in the primer a few times. Sweep excess paint onto the inner side of the tray and make sure the brush is evenly coated with paint.
- Begin applying the primer with a brush to all sides or edges of the patio that borders the building or other parts of the house.
- Use a larger roller or brush and a longer handle to apply the primer all over the patio.
Step 2. Allow the primer to dry
While the primer will dry in two hours, wait at least 8 hours before you start painting. Do not leave the primer for more than 30 days.
If you're using an old brush, roller, and tray, clean them all and let them dry before you use them again
Step 3. Pour the paint into the tray
The tray will make it easier for the brush or roller to coat the paint evenly. So, you can daub it to the patio neatly.
Step 4. Paint around the edges of the patio
Use a smaller brush to apply a coat of paint around the edges, at joints, or in places that are hard to reach by a large brush. Choose a smaller brush to apply paint to any areas of the patio that are lined with tape, so the paint doesn't spread to other parts such as walls, decks, or windows.
Step 5. Apply the first coat of paint
Choose a starting point, such as an interior corner next to a house wall, and start painting from there. Don't paint from a corner or center that will trap wet paint. Apply a thin brush or roller evenly.
- Attach a roller or brush to the handle extender so you can stay on your feet while painting. By using the paint handle, you will avoid back, knee, and ankle injuries.
- If you're using a brush instead of a roller, make sure the brush is big enough to cover a large area so the paint doesn't dry before you finish the section.
Step 6. Allow the first coat to dry
Concrete and exterior paints take about six hours or more to dry before they are ready to be added to the next coat. So, make sure you read the instructions for use on the packaging.
- Let the new coat dry before you decide what to add next.
- You may need to paint one to three coats, depending on whether you use a primer or not.
Step 7. Apply paint in several layers, as needed
Follow the steps as before. Use a smaller brush around the vulnerable or tough sides, and a larger brush or roller to finish everything. Apply several coats of paint to achieve the desired thickness of color for the patio.
Step 8. Allow the paint to dry completely and solidify
Even if you can step on your patio within 24 hours, wait about 7 days before putting your furniture back on it.
