Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
If you want to paint your concrete patio or garage floor, I'm going to show you the best
way to do it. Now the first thing you've got to do is make sure that your surface area
has been cleaned of any sort of debris, which would be dirt and grease and so forth. You
can use degreasers to get rid of those grease stains, but a good stiff broom will get rid
of the bulk of the dirt.
Next thing you'll have to do is you'll have to prepare the surface for painting by etching
the surface. And this you do by using an acid etch. What that will do is, that will remove
the top shiny surface area and give you a little bit of a rough surface to get started with.
Now the first thing to remember is that when you're painting your concrete, the first coat
that you put on has to be thinned down. And the reason why you thin it down is so that
it sinks into the concrete right around two to three mils. This will help the second coat
grab the first coat and stop it from peeling off.
Now when you thin down your paint, make sure you use the correct thinning agent, so for
instance, if you're using an oil-base paint, you use the solvent, which would be [Tibs].
Now if you're using a water-base paint, then obviously you just use some water. Now once
you've thinned it down, make sure you've mixed your paint thoroughly. Remember, if you're
painting a small area like this, you can just use a brush, but if it's a large area, use
a roller.
Now, your first coat will take about an hour to be touch-dry. You can usually walk on it
after about two hours. Now you can't put your second coat on until about 16 hours later.
But once you're ready to put your second coat on, you basically use the paint straight.
You don't have to thin it down at all.
When you're mixing your paint, make sure that you, not only go in a circular motion, but
also in an up and down motion as well. The reason being is that you've got to get the
pigments up from the bottom of the can and all the way through the paint. This will give
you a nice, even mixture.
Leave the paint to dry for 24 hours before you walk or drive on it.
If you need any more advice, come down to your local Bunnings Warehouse, and one of
the team members will be only too happy to help.