Wait until your concrete floors are dry before you prime. Moisture will prevent the primer and paint from adhering properly. An easy way to tell whether the floor is dry enough is to place a small piece of kitchen plastic wrap (about 12” square) to the surface of the concrete floor. Seal all edges with tape.
On top of that a concrete primer if they exist. If you don’t prime then you run the risk of the paint peeling, especially since garage floors are so smooth. Plus you might run through way more paint than you think and need to get more since concrete is so porous, it will soak it up like a sponge.
Does concrete need a primer before painting?
Generally speaking, priming is so essential to successful painting outcomes, concrete will always needs a primer. However, the existing surface needs to be primed before painting if: Primers are formulated in three ways: alkyd/oil base, acrylic/latex, and tinted shellac, and are specialized for both exterior and interior applications.
Concrete primer is specifically designed to absorb into the surface of concrete, filling imperfections and creating a smooth surface for the paint. Most primers will dry in a few hours, but home improvement professionals suggest waiting a full eight hours after priming before applying paint just to be sure.
Should You Paint Your concrete floors?
The bottom line: If you have concrete floors in your basement, garage, or screened-in patio, you don’t have to live with lackluster. You can refresh the entire space by painting your concrete floors .
Another thing we wondered was, what paints can you use on concrete?
You can’t beat concrete paint if you’re looking for a product that is: Easy to apply, economical Offers a broad selection of colors. Provides good coverage.
Painting with concrete is not one of the best mediums. If you use oil-based or acrylic house paints on concrete, you’ll just have to paint it all over again since acrylic paints peel, crack, and can’t withstand the abuse that concrete patios, sidewalks, and driveway undergo.
While researching we ran into the question “What is the best concrete paint?”.
My chosen answer is low-luster acrylic latex paint is designed for high durability that resists peeling, fading and other damage while hiding imperfections. The best concrete paint for patios will feature an enamel finish that resists mold and mildew growth. It should maintain a pristine, stylish appearance despite wet or humid conditions.
What kind of primer do you use on concrete floors?
Acrylic/Latex: Because concrete is porous, a water-based or acrylic primer is more likely to soak into the concrete than an oil-based primer, bonding to the substrate and allowing the paint to grip the surface. These primers will also reduce the dust on interior concrete.
Use a paintbrush first to apply the primer around the floor posts and along the edges of the floor. Then, once you’ve cut in around the edges, you can apply the rest of the primer with a paint roller.