Of course your slab has to be clean. It must be free of oil, grease, mud, sheetrock mud, paint, adhesives etc. The reason for the failures, for the most part, is the inadequate preparation of the concrete. For any paint or epoxy to achieve a proper bond to the concrete the pores in the concrete have to be "opened up". This can be achieved by the use of mechanical means, shot-blasting, scarifying and/or grinding. These methods are not really readily available to homeowners or DIYers.
Unless you have an equipment rental center near you that is the "concrete equipment" location for a large metro area chances are that you won't even be able to rent one of these machines, let alone know how to run one.
Never fear there is an easier way and if you insist upon using a "concrete paint' it will give you the best chance you have to keep it on the slab and not peel up. Notice that I didn't say I guarantee that it will keep the paint on the slab I said it would give you the best chance.
If you insist on a paint or "concrete stain" be prepared to have to redo your floor every two to three years. If you don't mind having to do this or your budget is limited please take the recommended prep to heart as this will increase your chances of longevity of your floor by a factor of at least 50%.
When deciding on products for your floor try to find paint that is higher in solids than others. This will give you a better chance of receiving a good product. Behr, Duron and Olympic are good choices for this type of product.
Remember you get what you pay for.
There are several paint companies that make and distribute quality garage floor paint and they are normally available in water base or oil base and can be found in several colors. Many are light or dark based and can be mixed to the color of your choice. They are also available in pre-mixed colors usually silver or grey.
The main ingredient in using garage floor paint is preparation of the garage floor to insure the paint stays on the surface. Simply buying a couple gallons of paint and rolling it onto the floor will not get the job done correctly. Planning to apply a new coat of floor paint will take time and effort to do it right.
Etching Concrete Properly Prepares Surface
The first step before using garage floor paint should be to use a quality cleaner and degreaser to remove any oils and dirt from the surface. This type product, used full strength, will remove such surface oils as transmission fluid, motor oil, antifreeze or gear oils from cars and bikes that build up over time.
Now that you have a clean floor and you decide to go ahead with using garage floor paint, you will need to use a concrete etcher and rust remover to insure an adequately clean surface on which to paint. This type product will remove rust stains and any deep stains to prepare the surface for a fresh coat of garage floor paint.
When using either the degreaser or etching products, always wear protective clothing as well as eye protection to avoid any personal injuries from the products. You should also have plenty of fresh water available for thoroughly rinsing the floor once you are done. In addition, always work towards any available drain to avoid puddle from forming, making drying difficult.
If your garage floor does not have a drain, or slopes towards the yard, you will want to protect any grass or plants from the solutions. Wet the vegetation thoroughly and cover it with plastic before starting. This will provide the needed protection to reduce the possibility of killing the grass or plants. If you are careful, your plants won't be damaged.
Both John Groom & Scott Fromherz are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
John Groom has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Improvement, Interior Design. John Groom is Managing Partner and Owner of Concrete Designs and Resurfacing and has been installing decorative concrete products and epoxies since 1998 and has 15 years prior experience in home building and remodeling. Concrete Designs is a manufacturer,. John Groom's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.
Scott Fromherz has sinced written about articles on various topics from Celebrities, Education Toys and Distance Learning. Scott Fromherz owns and operates multiple websites. For more information on garage floor paint go to or. Scott Fromherz's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.