How to Paint Cement

How to Paint Cement1 How to Paint Cement With just few coats of paint you can spruce up your old concrete surface and enhance its entire look. Without adding anything to the interior or exterior designing, the painting can completely transform the dull and grey cemented area into a more polished and finer surface. A good way of upgrading your walls, flooring or ceiling, painting a cemented surface is easy and can be done at very affordable rate. The only major contribution you need to make is time.

Instructions

The very first thing you need to do is clean the surface area that is to be painted. Make sure you remove all the oil or grease stains from it. Brush, scrub or mob, clean the entire area. Rinse it properly and allow it to dry thoroughly for several days prior applying coats of paint.
Check out for cracks and holes in your concrete, fix them up before starting the painting process. Use concrete patch or hydraulic cement to smooth the rough surfaces or holes. Consult the respective manufacturer regarding how long to apply the patch and also how long to allow it to dry.
Before you actually begin to paint the surface, make sure the concrete surface is completely dry and free of leaks. In case there exists any leaks, simply apply a sealer. You can either do the sealing yourself or even get it done by a professional.
Once your concrete is in good condition, you can apply a coat of primer. Select a primer that is compatible with your sealer. You can even consult an expert regarding the type of primer that will be good for your concrete. Using a roller or sprayer apply a coat of primer on the surface and allow it to dry.
Now that the cement surface is sealed, primed and dry, apply a coat of paint on it with the use of roller or paint compressor. Remember to buy a quality paint that is concrete compatible. Do not bother if the paint looks lighter (than you would want at first) it will turn darker when dry.
The best way to apply the paint on the cemented area is to go for thin layers; two to four is preferable. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next one. Make use of brush to reach delicate areas such as the part near a baseboard or window. Allow it to dry between coats.
Finally apply a coat of sealer and let it dry completely. This is very important in case you are painting a floor. Since sealers are generally toxic, it is always better to keep the area well-ventilated and also wear a mask. A coat or two of a quality sealer will protect your cemented floor from damages for many years.

Tips

If you are painting a floor, you can add floor additives to the paint. This will make the surface less slippery.
Allow freshly poured concrete to cure preferably for 90 to 180 days prior the painting process.