Aug. 4, 2008 - 8 Steps to Painting/Staining Concrete

One way you can easily and economically improve the appearance of your home is to paint or stain any concrete walls, flooring, patios or other outdoor surfaces that are gray and boring. While the process is a bit more difficult than painting an interior wall, it's still fairly easy and the results can be fantastic. Here's how you do it:

1. Test the Area -- Before painting the concrete, perform a moisture test by taping a 24-inch square of plastic to the area and waiting 48 hours. If there is any discoloration or any visible signs of moisture trapped in the plastic, the cement should not be painted or stained.
2. Roughen the Surface -- Concrete should be as rough as 120 grit sandpaper; smooth concrete will not accept stains or coatings. You can roughen the surface with a wire brush and acid-based solution or use a cement etching solution found in most home improvement stores. You can also use a floor sander or shot blaster to roughen the surface.
3. Clean the Surface Thoroughly -- Use a degreaser or concrete cleaner to remove all paint, dirt, moisture, etc. The concrete must be clean and dry or the paint or stain will not work correctly. If you use a power washer, wait at least 48 hours before doing any repairs, painting or staining.
4. Repairs -- Fix any cracks or holes in the concrete with hydraulic cement.
5. Seal the Concrete -- Masonry coating works best. Let dry.
6. Primer -- Apply a coat of concrete-safe primer with a roller or sprayer. Let dry.
7. Paint/Stain -- Apply paint or stain with a roller or sprayer and let dry. Apply additional coats of paint as needed. Always dry thoroughly between coats.
8. Sealer -- Apply a coat of concrete-safe sealer.