Can I paint a Floor, or Porch?
Yes… wood and concrete floors, porches, and even decks can be painted when done properly.
The type of paint coating that can be used on a wood, or concrete floor, is normally called… you guessed it… Porch & Floor paint.
Ordinary paints and enamels are not always suitable for this purpose. Normal oil-based paints are not recommended for many concrete surfaces. Concrete surfaces, in contact with ground moisture such as basements and patios, will prohibit proper paint adhesion because paint will not adhere to damp surfaces.
The alkali in concrete can also react with the oil-based paint to form a type of soapy compound, resulting in poor adhesion and the paint will eventually lift from the surface.
Old concrete floors which have been penetrated by products like engine oils, transmission fluids and gasoline, are extremely difficult to paint because these contaminants must be removed thoroughly for paint to adhere. The types of chemicals and equipment necessary to clean contaminated concrete may not be readily available, so you should consider a professional painter, to do the work, if this describes the surface you want to paint.
Porch & Floor enamels are formulated to withstand weather, and normal foot traffic wear, on wood and concrete. They come in both oil-based and latex formulas. At this point we must emphasize that surface prep must be stressed so that proper adhesion is achieved. If you are painting an un-painted concrete floor, then a commercial acid-etch solution must be used.
Do not use a primer on floors. Instead, thin the paint coating so that the first coat can penetrate the surface. Then apply a full (un-thinned) coat of paint. Consult with your paint store professional and follow the label instructions for maximum product durability and personal safety protection. Wood floors must be clean and free of wax. They must be sanded properly to remove the sheen from the floor. The first coat will need to be thinned down so that it can penetrate the open wood grain. Then after that surface is dry, a full un-thinned coat should be applied.
In recent years, a concrete staining process has gained greater popularity called “Acid Stains”. These stains come in many beautiful colors and need only a clean concrete surface to adhere to. The colors can also be mixed on the concrete surface with mops to achieve a beautiful scumbled, or mutli-toned color effect. The porosity of concrete can actually add to the unique ruggedness of stained concrete floors. After the surface is dry, the floor can be easily maintained by waxing and polishing with a commercial grade of floor wax. This will help to lengthen and maintain the life of the stained concrete. When scratches appear they can be easily touched up and re-waxed.
Conventional floor paints work poorly on garage floors. Remember that your car tires get hot as the car is driven, and when the hot tires are exposed to the normal floor paint, the paint sticks to the tires and is lifted off. An epoxy floor enamel is normally recommended for garage floors. A product like Insl-x “Garage Guard” would be recommended for garage floors.
IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS:
- Many gloss floor paints are slippery when wet, and a non-skid additive should be considered to prevent slips and falls.
- Read, and follow, all label instructions for preparation, application and safety precautions.
- Be sure to extinguish all fires, and pilot lights when painting.
Click the links below for additional product information on:
Benjamin Moore Porch & Floor Enamel
Coronado Paint Co. TOUGH SHIELD Floor & Patio Coating
Please consult with the paint professionals at Texas Paint & Wallpaper for the best results.
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