Concrete floor is a durable structure, which is often used in industrial and public buildings. More recently, it began to be used in private construction: in many home workshops and garages, floors are made of concrete. Although the design is quite powerful, it has a weak spot: its surface is exposed to mechanical stress and temperature extremes daily.
It can be protected using a simple and inexpensive way - to paint the floor. Various compositions are used to impart aesthetic, hygienic and anti-slip properties, wear protection, the harmful effects of chemicals and to hide small defects. All of them have many advantages, but there are some disadvantages. In this article we will tell you how to paint the concrete floor in the garage and on the street. You will learn how to work with concrete coloring compounds and what are their features.
Is it possible to paint the concrete floor?
Paints for concrete work, which manufacturers offer today, make it possible to give such a surface the desired hygienic, aesthetic and physical properties. They are divided according to the method of use into two groups: for external and internal works. Depending on the basis, they are divided into four categories:
- polyurethane;
- acrylic;
- epoxy;
- rubber.
Among the coloring compositions for concrete offered by the Russian industry, Prestige, Texil, Quil, and Aquapol are well established. In addition, the products of foreign companies are widely represented on the domestic market: Tikkurila, Winsor & Newton, Streamline chemical. And yet, back to the main question of our article: how to paint the concrete floor? We will try to understand the features of these compositions.
Acrylic paints
These coatings are famous for their high resistance to moisture and temperature extremes. They are widely represented in our construction market by products of both foreign and domestic manufacturers. Of these, it is not difficult to choose formulations that, after drying, form a uniform protective layer with a glossy, semi-matt or matte surface.
Acrylic enamels for concrete floors can be diluted with water or special solvents if necessary. In neither case will this affect the quality of the coating. After applying this composition for use, your floor will be ready in two days. When choosing an acrylic composition, note that it can not be applied to a polyurethane or epoxy layer.
Epoxy paint
The composition consists of two components that are mixed immediately before starting work. This is done using a mixer, which will help to achieve a uniform consistency and further uniform application of paint. The disadvantage of such compositions can be considered the complexity of the process and a rather long time to achieve the desired result.
Before applying this material, the surface must be treated with a primer. To do this, paint diluted with 20% water on concrete is used. After the primer layer has completely dried, you can apply epoxy paint in two layers with a daily break between them. The floor will be ready for use only after seven days.
Such a long time is required for complete polymerization. The paint is affordable, durable and resistant to wear. Its main drawback is a small color palette. Such a coating can be used both for internal work and for outdoor areas. Therefore, if you are interested in how to paint the concrete floor on the street, we would recommend these compounds.
Polyurethane Enamel
Two-component coating of very high quality, which can be used for indoor and outdoor use. These compositions are characterized by excellent hiding power, profitability, strength, resistance to chemicals and atmospheric precipitation. The finished coating is a glossy, perfectly flat surface.
Painting with these compounds is carried out at temperatures above +5 ° C and humidity not more than 75%. The composition is prepared for work as follows: first, the main component is mixed very carefully, and then, after adding the second, the composition should be mixed again.
Polyurethane enamels are applied to the concrete floor in two stages: the first layer is thinner but more uniform, then, after a day, the second layer. This enamel dries for a long time - about two weeks. After a week, the coating gains final strength, and after two weeks - chemical resistance. If you are interested in what paint to paint the concrete floor in the garage, we recommend that you pay attention to these compounds. They are strong enough and durable.
Rubber paint
When deciding how to paint a concrete floor, you can consider this option. This is a polymer composition, which today is very popular in the decoration of floors, roofs, walls. Especially often it is used for pool decoration: its surface is characterized by good water resistance and excellent decorative effect. Therefore, if you are interested in what paint to paint the concrete floor in the pool, you can not find the best option. Although polyurethane paints will do.
When choosing how to paint a concrete floor, it is necessary to take into account the purpose and characteristics of the premises. The production requires high durability and reliability, so in this case, polyurethane and epoxy materials are more suitable. For residential applications, you can use acrylic paints.
How to paint a concrete floor: surface preparation
First you need to prepare the tools that you need in your work: a roller and a brush, masking tape, safety glasses, a respirator and gloves. Floor preparation consists of three stages: surface cleaning, its strengthening and primer.
Floor cleaning
To begin with, sweep the floor and remove all rubbish. Inspect the surface carefully: if there are stains on it, which is typical, for example, for a garage, then they must be removed with solvents or detergents. If you see potholes, chips or cracks, they must be repaired with cement-sand mortar or putty. All surface irregularities must be removed. Then treat it with a grinder and remove the resulting cement dust with an industrial vacuum cleaner. If not, use a regular brush.
Surface strengthening
Practice shows that old concrete floors dust more or less. To reduce dust generation, it is necessary to strengthen the surface layer with the help of special compositions (toppings). Such impregnations consist of quartz, cement, plasticizers and dyes. They prevent the formation of dust and protect the floor from abrasion.
Dry topping is evenly scattered on a wet concrete floor, and after absorbing water, when the powder turns dark, it is rubbed into the surface with a smoothing machine, which finishers call a "helicopter." In addition, using a surface topping, you can give a smooth or grainy texture. Such compositions clog the concrete pores, protecting the surface from destruction and ensuring the strength of the coating for five years.
Primer
This work is done to increase the adhesion (adhesion) of the paint to the base coat. The primer composition has a liquid consistency, due to which it penetrates deep into concrete. It is applied using a paint roller, in places of inaccessible use a brush. Before use, the primer must be mixed well and, if necessary, quartz sand added to it (about 10% by weight of the primer) to prevent slippery floors.
The material is applied to a dry and clean substrate. Universal primers, as a rule, have an acrylic base, and therefore can be used both for indoor and outdoor use. These compounds perfectly protect the surface from moisture, gasoline, mineral oils and salt solutions and dry very quickly.
Painting Features
If you have already decided what to paint the concrete floor, it's time to choose a tool for applying the finish coating: a roller, brush or paint sprayer. The choice depends on the consistency of the coloring composition. Liquid paints are more convenient to apply using a pneumatic spray gun. This process is more productive than painting a large area with a roller, not to mention the brush. Using a spray gun, paint is usually applied to the main floor area, and in hard-to-reach places you still have to use a brush.
Instead of three, one or two last coat is applied with a roller, because their thickness is much larger. This tool is convenient when working with acrylic dyes. The roller should have a short pile and be as wide as possible. This will allow you to apply the paint evenly and quickly. For convenience, the tool is fixed on a long telescopic handle, which can be purchased at any construction supermarket.
We hope that we have answered the basic questions and now you know how to paint a concrete floor. Work is simple, but requires accuracy and patience. Carefully read the instructions for the paint, which indicates the period of possible use of the surface. Do not reduce it, so that your labors are not in vain.