There are many different ways that concrete has been used over the many thousands of years its been around. Although thousands of years ago the ingredients were different, as they have been refined as time has passed. This gray substance is very useful but can be boring to be surrounded by. So many people have started to paint the concrete floors and patios. What people didn't know when they first started painting their surfaces is that concrete is always breathing and wicking away water so the paint wouldn't stick properly. Here are a few tips to make sure that you gather the proper materials and receive the great looking concrete paint job that you wanted.

  • Choose concrete stain or dye.   The main reason paint will peel off concrete is that it doesn't breathe like the concrete surface. However, stains and dyes are made to breathe the same as the concrete surface. Stains are made of a blend of acrylic polymers and pigments that create a chemical reaction between the concrete and stain when it is applied. Dyes are nonreactive and will color the cement when the very small particles penetrate the surface. 
  • Another option: Epoxy garage floor paint.  This option is much more challenging to apply the correct way. You'll need to have a very clean and prepped surface before starting the process like most surfaces you paint. Plan ahead because after you have applied that epoxy you will need to give it a good amount of time to dry and then additional time to then harden. Remember to always have proper ventilation as well. 
  • Floor prep.  This is very important step when painting any surface but floors will tend to get a lot more dirty being walked on compared the living room walls you clean before painting. To prep a floor you can remove old paint with chemical remover, power wash the surface, or even rent a grinder to rough up the floor while eliminating the old paint. When prepping the floor is should only be slightly rough. Take your time and don't settle for "clean enough".
  • Wash thoroughly.  Although it may look like all of the paint is gone there can still be traces of various chemicals left behind. It is important to wash the concrete thoroughly so that any unwanted chemical reactions don't take place. An example of an unwanted chemical reaction would be the new paint failing to adhere. After cleaning the concrete make sure to let in dry out for a few days. 
  • Applying Primer.  When you're painting the walls of your house you can usually get away without using any primer. However, after painting concrete it is very important to apply primer. It is a clear fact that the cement will take more of a beating then the walls in the house. If primer is not applied be prepared to redo your hard work in as little as a few weeks to a few months.