How to Paint Indoor or Outdoor Concrete

Download Article

The ultimate DIY guide on turning boring old concrete into something magical

Download Article

Prepping the Concrete

|

Applying the Paint

|

How Do I Paint Indoor Or Outdoor Concrete?

|

Expert Q&A

|

Tips

|

Warnings

|

Things You'll Need

There are no rules that say you’re forced to keep concrete surfaces that dull old gray. Why not spruce things up with some color?! Painting concrete is a simple and inexpensive project that anyone can complete in a weekend. But that doesn’t mean you can automatically break out the brush and roller all willy-nilly. In this article, we’ll break down all of the tips, tricks, and hacks you’ll need to know to get the smoothest and most elegant finish possible.

Things You Should Know

Prepping your concrete is arguably more important than the painting itself. Clean the surface thoroughly to ensure the paint adheres properly.
Apply a concrete primer to the surface to ensure that the paint sticks to the concrete uniformly.
Once you’ve painted the concrete, apply a masonry sealant to ensure your paint job holds up over time.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Prepping the Concrete

Download Article

1
Clean the concrete surface with soap and warm water. Sweep away any leaves, debris, and dirt with a broom. Then remove any existing paint or gunk using a power washer or scraper and wire brush. Scrub away any dirt, grime, or gunk that is stuck to the concrete. Yank off any vines, moss, or other plant life covering the concrete.^{[1]XExpert SourceAndre Kazimierski
Painting SpecialistExpert Interview. 26 January 2022.}
- You do not have to worry about stains, since the paint will cover them up.
- The goal throughout this entire prepping process is to get the surface as clean and bare as possible so that the paint adheres properly.^{[2]XResearch source}
2
Remove oil and grease with TSP to ensure that the paint sticks. TSP, which is short for tri-sodium phosphate, is a semi-corrosive cleaner designed specifically for tough surfaces like concrete. Put on a respirator, long sleeves, gloves, and protective eyewear. Mix the TSP with water in the ratio illustrated on the packaging and wash away any oil stains, rinsing the cleaner off when you're done. Allow the concrete surface to dry.^{[3]XResearch source}
- If the concrete isn’t exceptionally dirty, skip the TSP treatment. It’s relatively difficult to deal with so far as cleaners go, and it’s much easier to just rinse the surface with soap if you can.^{[4]XResearch source}
- TSP is probably a little bit of overkill for an indoor paint job, but you can use it either indoors or outdoors if you’d like.
Advertisement
3
Apply concrete filler to any cracks or damage. If there are any breaks or cracks and you don’t fill them, moisture will get into the concrete and eventually cause the paint to peel. Apply the filler with a caulk gun or via the applicator that came with the filler and wait for the filler to dry.^{[5]XResearch source}
- It typically takes roughly 3 days for concrete filler to fully cure, but read your product’s instructions for specific drying times.
- Once the filler is dry, sand the surface to remove any excess filler if it isn’t flush with the surrounding concrete.
Sand and vacuum the concrete if it’s uneven or jagged. If you’re painting a concrete floor and it isn’t uniform, grab an orbital sander and wear down any especially uneven areas. Once you’ve got a smooth surface, run a vacuum over everything one more time to lift up any dust or dirt.^{[6]XResearch source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Applying the Paint

Download Article

1
Check the weather forecast if you’re painting outdoor concrete. Paint on concrete requires ample time to dry. Different paints will have their own, specific drying times so always check the manufacturer's instructions. Still, basically every paint product will require hours of drying time, so don’t choose a week with questionable weather.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Purchase paint designed specifically for concrete. Do not use standard interior paint. Concrete is extremely porous, and the concrete paint is thick enough to fill in the larger gaps in the material.
2
Apply 1 layer of concrete paint primer with a paint roller. Before adding your color, apply a layer of primer to ensure that the paint will stick. Again, follow the manufacturer's instructions to confirm the necessary application and drying time. Use a brush to cut the corners and edges, then use a roller to fill in the larger surfaces.^{[8]XExpert SourceAndre Kazimierski
Painting SpecialistExpert Interview. 26 January 2022.}
- If you are painting over an old color or you’re working outdoors, apply 2 coats of primer. Let the first coat dry fully before applying the second.
Apply a second coat of paint once the first coat is dry. Once the paint has dried, apply a second layer the exact same way you applied the first coat. Cut the edges using a paint brush and then fill in the larger, flatter sections of the surface using a roller.^{[9]XExpert SourceAndre Kazimierski
Painting SpecialistExpert Interview. 26 January 2022.}
Let the paint dry for 1-2 days before stepping on or placing anything on the concrete. Dry the final coat of paint for at least 24 hours before moving items onto or near the newly painted concrete to ensure a smooth, professional appearance.^{[10]XExpert SourceAndre Kazimierski
Painting SpecialistExpert Interview. 26 January 2022.}
5
Seal the concrete to protect the paint and prevent moisture issues. If you want to ensure your paint lasts as long as possible, purchase a masonry sealant and cover your painted concrete with it. Use a clean paint brush and a roller to apply the sealant and wait for it to dry. Follow the sealant manufacturer's instructions for the unique instructions when it comes to the preparation and application of the product.^{[11]XResearch source}
- You can skip this step if you’ve painted an interior wall that won’t get exposed to very much, but it’s probably mandatory for concrete floors and exterior surfaces.

How Do I Paint Indoor Or Outdoor Concrete?

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question
How do you prepare concrete for painting?
Andre Kazimierski
Painting Specialist
Andre Kazimierski is a Painting Specialist and the Founder and CEO of Improovy, an on-demand house painting service startup. With more than 15 years of experience, Andre and the Improovy team use data and technology to streamline the home improvement process for homeowners and painting contractors. Andre started in the painting industry as a sophomore at Depaul University in Chicago, working with one of the nation’s largest painting companies to launch new cities and territories across the Midwest. Years later, he started 3rd Gen Painting and Remodeling and had a successful exit after growing the company to two different states.
Andre Kazimierski
Painting Specialist
Expert Answer
Honestly, a really good masonry primer will set the tone to take any top coat necessary for your painting job!
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 5 Helpful 8
Question
Can you paint directly onto concrete?
Andre Kazimierski
Painting Specialist
Andre Kazimierski is a Painting Specialist and the Founder and CEO of Improovy, an on-demand house painting service startup. With more than 15 years of experience, Andre and the Improovy team use data and technology to streamline the home improvement process for homeowners and painting contractors. Andre started in the painting industry as a sophomore at Depaul University in Chicago, working with one of the nation’s largest painting companies to launch new cities and territories across the Midwest. Years later, he started 3rd Gen Painting and Remodeling and had a successful exit after growing the company to two different states.
Andre Kazimierski
Painting Specialist
Expert Answer
Not really! Since concrete is porous, you'll need to add a primer first. Also, you have to watch the pH level — if it's new concrete, it needs to age about 30 days before you can paint.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 2 Helpful 6
Question
Can I paint over limestone?
Mark Spelman
Construction Professional
Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987.
Mark Spelman
Construction Professional
Expert Answer
First, make sure the stone is clean and dry. Then you will need to apply a good bonding primer and then use a hybrid enamel for the final paint. Apply 2 coats; be sure and give a full day to dry between coats.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 6 Helpful 30

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

If you’re painting a floor, you can add a floor texture additive directly to the paint before you apply it.^{[12]XResearch source}
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Never paint freshly poured concrete. The fresh stuff needs a few months to fully cure and air out before you can paint it.^{[13]XResearch source}
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0