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Easy steps to seal, prime & paint indoor or outdoor concrete
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Painting a concrete wall can spruce up an area or make it blend in with the rest of the area's décor. However, there are some things to consider when painting a concrete wall. You must choose the appropriate type of concrete paint, determine if the wall is sealed from moisture and apply primer prior to painting the wall. Use these tips to paint a concrete wall.
Painting a Concrete Wall: Quick Steps
- Power wash or scrub dirt and dust off of the concrete.
- Use a trowel and concrete patch to fill minor cracks and holes.
- Paint concrete sealer over the wall with a roller and let it dry overnight.
- Roll on a layer of concrete primer and let it dry for 24 hours.
- Apply at least 3 thin coats and paint and allow to fully air dry.
- Add 2 coats of concrete paint sealer (letting each coat dry before adding more).
Steps
Section 1 of 1:
Painting Concrete Walls
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Choose paint for your project. The type of paint you choose depends on whether you're painting inside or outside: [1] X Research source- Select paint appropriate for your outdoor project. You will need a paint that is resistant to moisture and sun exposure. Outdoor concrete paint is available for outdoor projects. However, an oil-based paint also may work for your needs.
- Pick a paint for your indoor paint project. Basement concrete paint is available in many paint and home improvement stores, however you also can use an interior acrylic paint for the project.
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Clean the concrete wall. For exterior projects, use a power washer to rid the wall of all dirt and dust. If your project is indoors, scrub the wall with soapy water and a scrub brush instead of using a power washer. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement -
Repair any cracks or blemishes in your wall with concrete patch. Follow the directions to mix up the concrete patch mixture. Fill holes and use a trowel to smooth the patch to match the surface of the wall. [3] X Research source -
Check the wall for moisture. Paint applied to a wall that is not properly sealed will not adhere properly. [4] X Research source- Tape plastic sheeting to the wall. Attempt to get the sheeting as air-tight as possible.
- Check the plastic after 24 hours. If moisture appears within the plastic, you will need to seal the wall. If no moisture is present, the wall is already sealed.
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Seal the concrete wall. Roll on 1 coat of concrete sealer and allow it to dry overnight. Concrete sealer is available at most hardware or home improvement stores. [5] X Research source- Concrete sealer prevents water from absorbing into the concrete and helps prevent stains. [6]
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Expert Source
Gerber Ortiz-Vega
Masonry Specialist & Founder, GO Masonry LLC Expert Interview. 10 March 2020.
- Concrete sealer prevents water from absorbing into the concrete and helps prevent stains. [6]
X
Expert Source
Gerber Ortiz-Vega
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Apply 1 coat of concrete primer. You can use rollers or brushes to apply the paint. Ensure the primer is applied evenly, whichever technique you use. Let it dry for 24 hours. If you can see the wall through the primer, apply 1 more coat. [7] X Research source -
Paint your wall with concrete paint. Paint should be applied in at least 3 thin layers. The paint may be sprayed on, rolled on or painted on with a brush. The paint should not be streaky or show brush strokes. Allow to dry for 24 hours. -
Roll on concrete paint sealer. Cover with 2 coats, allowing it to dry between coats. Paint sealer helps the paint to adhere to the wall and last longer.
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How do you paint indoor or outdoor concrete?
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do you waterproof a concrete wall?Gerber Ortiz-Vega is a Masonry Specialist and the Founder of GO Masonry LLC, a masonry company based in Northern Virginia. Gerber specializes in providing brick and stone laying services, concrete installations, and masonry repairs. Gerber has over four years of experience running GO Masonry and over ten years of general masonry work experience. He earned a BA in Marketing from the University of Mary Washington in 2017.Apply a sealant to the concrete wall to prevent water from absorbing into the wall. The sealant will also prevent stains.
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QuestionDo I need to prime concrete before painting it?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerYes, priming is an important step in painting concrete. Applying a coat of primer will help ensure that the paint sticks properly to the concrete surface.
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QuestionWhat kind of paint do you use on concrete walls?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerMasonry paint or elastomeric paint is the best choice. Other kinds of paint are more likely to crack or peel when the concrete naturally expands or contracts.
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Tips
- Keep pets and small children away from your painting project. The fumes can be harmful to them. Additionally, they may rub up against your wall while you are painting it.Thanks
- Wear old clothes to paint your concrete wall. Paint used for this project is likely to stain your clothes.Thanks
- Wear appropriate safety equipment, such as gloves and goggles.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Concrete patch
- Trowel
- Power washer
- Scrub brush
- Plastic sheeting
- Tape
- Concrete sealer
- Paint rollers and brushes
- Concrete primer
- Concrete paint
- Concrete paint sealer
- Safety equipment (goggles and gloves)
References
- ↑ https://blog.homekeepr.com/6-tips-for-better-concrete-painting
- ↑ https://www.eppconcrete.com/concrete-painting-right/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-paint-concrete/
- ↑ https://blog.homekeepr.com/6-tips-for-better-concrete-painting
- ↑ https://www.eppconcrete.com/concrete-painting-right/
- ↑ Gerber Ortiz-Vega. Masonry Specialist & Founder, GO Masonry LLC. Expert Interview. 10 March 2020.
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-paint-concrete/
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