I'm painting concrete...and i dont want to spend a fortune..?
Question:What can I use to paint concrete which will now be used as a rec room or den? Floor and wall.but I really want to make sure the floor had a good coat. Plz help.
Answers:
First of all use a CONCRETE paint not a wall paint.
Second, clean the surface extremely well, making sure that there is no oil, carpet glue, etc.
Third and very, very important. To ensure that the paint really "sticks" to the concrete you MUST etch the surface to make it porous. The concrete may look "rough", but it has material that comes to the surface during "smoothing" process that paint does not want to stick to securely. Etching literally eats the surface to make the paint grab.
To etch the concrete surface you need to wash it with acid, usually Muriatic Acid or Sulfuric Acid.
CAUTION - CAUTION: You must ventilate the room very well by opening windows & doors and use fans to move the air. The fuems are very hazardous to your health!!!!
After the acid has dried mop the surface with a damp mop to remove any acid residue. Rinse the mop out often.
Once the floor dries again, your surface is ready to paint and the paint will stick very well and last for years.
Use at least two coats of paint.
You can buy the Muriatic Acid at any store that sells pool supplies & chemicals. Muriatic acid is relativly inexpensive.
Larry G
Retired Handyman & I sold paint for few years
Home Depot & Lowes now have paint/stain just for conrete... i would use that & then ask them if u need a top coat & what kind.
I'm dying to try it myself esp on cider block..
Etch the concrete with acid. Not a fun job, but it will make sure the paint sticks. Follow mixing directions for etching concrete on the bottle. Make sure you have plenty of ventilation and be careful.
For the floor, get a porch and floor paint. Brand doesn't matter so much as it should be labeled for porch and floor use. Oil is better than latex in this situation if you can find it.
If the walls are dry, you could also use porch and floor paint there, but it is usually rather glossy. Alternative would be to prime with a masonry primer after etching, then paint with a good latex. You may have to find a paint store to get the masonry primer.
If the walls are damp, coat with a waterproofing product such as Drylock. Drylock can be tinted to a light color if you like. Again, make sure you have ventilation as it does not smell very good at all.
Depends how much you want to spend? The proper concrete paint is the best. Concrete absorbs paint. The proper stuff isn't cheap, but your best bet would be to enquire from your paint store. Good Luck!
They make some wonderful concrete dye, in all shades, then you will not have the problem of pealing or cracking, like paint. After the dye is done, just use a good sealer, and your done -- prob cost under 50.00 for a regular size room.
Its 21 dollars a gallon a Home Depot...You may want to ask if they have 5 gallon buckets of the stuff, it will be cheaper...Im doing a floor, but im paint it to look like tile...I cant wait to see it all done...
Etch the concrete after a good decreasing. Thin oil primer to get flow and penetration. If you have the time do this a few times sanding lightly between coats. Mistints from the store could cost much less just make sure to get more than you need and mix all together and apply a heavy coat.
Go to Sherwin Williams. They have competent people that will actually help you. Sorry Lowes and Home Depot, but you need to have employees that know what they are doing.
first clean the concrete. with a really good cleaner ,
then use concrete paint , go to lowes they sel lthe best ,
cost about $23 per gallon , a gallon goes far . i think maybe a 12x12 room per gallon , but make sure there no dust on the floor ok good luck
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