We select the paint for the concrete floor in the garage so that it is inexpensive and for a long time

The most practical garage floor is concrete. Of course, tiles would be even better, but this is a considerable expense. And good quality concrete is a budget option. But he also needs protection, because he reacts to moisture and chemicals used by motorists. The simplest means of protection is paint, but not everyone can cope with such a load. Therefore, today we will decide which paint to choose for concrete floors in the garage, so that it really protects the surface and lasts as long as possible.

paint requirements for garage floors

First, let's figure out why the most common enamel, which has been used to paint floors for centuries, is not suitable for concrete floors in the garage. Let's look at what difficulties the surface faces during operation.

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In addition to the direct vertical load, there is also a horizontal mechanical effect. When the car enters the box, the wheels must slow down. It is clear that at a minimum speed this is not critical, but nevertheless, the translational movement, coupled with a considerable weight, gives a significant mechanical load.

Continuing to explore the possible risks, one cannot fail to mention the dirt and water that, along with the car, “drives” into the garage. Together with sand and small stones, reagents can also remain on the wheels, which public utilities generously sprinkle on the roads in winter.

If you have a heated garage, you can skip the next step. But not everyone can afford such a luxury. So the paint on the concrete floor must also withstand temperature extremes.

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And the last thing: few people dare to paint the floor in the garage in a light tone. You can, of course, only then the traces of the wheels will not be so easy to wash every time. So it is preferable to choose also a dark shade. And not just dark paint, but such that it does not absorb dirt and is easy to clean. You understand, it is better to sweep the sand with a broom than to scrub tire marks with a mop.

And that's not all: it is important to understand that you will paint not just anything, but concrete, and this material also has its own specific features. The concrete surface is relatively friable and the paint will be partially absorbed, which will affect the flow rate. If the surface is poorly prepared, then there will be no adhesion, and any, even the most expensive product, will be a waste.

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As you can see, not everything is as simple as it seems at first glance. So what paints are suitable for concrete floors in a garage box?

The most suitable paint for concrete surfaces

Now manufacturers offer a wide range of different compositions for painting such specific surfaces as concrete. Consider specialized paints. Which one is suitable for the garage floor?

Acrylic based paints

Acrylic resin-based paints are available for concrete surfaces. Inorganic and organic pigments can be used as dyes. Various additives provide additional protection to paints, for example, essential components that protect the surface from moisture and make it resistant to chemicals. But the protection is rather short-term - this should be taken into account.

Acrylic paints have this feature: to get a more or less resistant layer, you need to apply 2-3 layers of paint.

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If you decide to paint a concrete floor with acrylic paint, keep in mind that at first glance it dries instantly, but in fact it takes at least 2 days to gain strength.

In general, acrylic compositions have many positive qualities: they are not afraid of moisture, they react quite strongly to cold and heat, they do not have a strong odor and are considered environmentally friendly. Finally, acrylics have good wear resistance, making them candidates for garage floors.

Before painting with acrylic, the concrete floor must be carefully dedusted. The paint is applied by roller or spray.

silicone paints

The basis of these compositions is silicone and acrylic. The peculiarity of such paints is high wear resistance, which is achieved by a combination of the properties of acrylic and silicone. In addition, the composition includes silicone resin with silicon, which also significantly affects the strength and gives additional elasticity to the film.

Acrylic-silicone paints have another positive property - active dust removal. After drying, the painted surface does not attract dust, allowing it to be kept clean for as long as possible. The only caveat is that such paints have a modest color range, but this drawback can be corrected with the help of colors.

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Epoxy based paint

These compositions have two components. Immediately before painting, they are mixed until a homogeneous mass is obtained. The color range of epoxy paints is modest, but it is quite possible to stop at one of the colors, considering the quality of the finished coating as a priority.

After drying, the two-component mixture turns into an extremely durable film that not only withstands the conditions of the garage, but is able to retain its properties even in an industrial room. Floors painted with epoxy paints are ready for heavy loads, are not afraid of sudden temperature changes and retain their appearance even when used outdoors.

Epoxy-based dyes have many advantages: such paints are not afraid of high humidity, they are resistant to the most aggressive chemicals, including acids.

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In some formulations, water is present as a solvent, so these paints do not have a strong odor. Epoxy paints are applied in two layers with an interval of 12 hours for drying.

Alkyd-urethane enamel

Alkyd-urethane enamels are another option for a fairly durable coating for concrete floors, which will perform well indoors under a roof. As a result of painting, you will get a smooth glossy surface, and it can last you about 15 years.

Vinyl paints for concrete

Vinyl-based paint can last up to 7 years under heavy use. These compounds dry very quickly and are applied in one layer. Vinyl paints do not contain substances harmful to humans, so they are used for residential premises as well.

Rubber paints

These compositions have a record drying speed: just half an hour - and you get a finished result, the service life of which is a whole decade.

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After polymerization, rubber paint becomes very resistant to abrasion. In addition, the composition can penetrate into cracks in concrete and thus "preserve" it, preventing their growth. And of course, rubber perfectly protects concrete surfaces from moisture. In addition, rubber paint is tinted, so you can "play" with the pattern and color combinations.

Composition based on polyurethane

Polyurethane paints are two-component and are considered one of the most wear-resistant compounds. The only caveat is that this paint dries for a very long time (at least 2 weeks).

This type of paint is applied by pouring. Such compositions are finishing for concrete screeds.

The best paints for concrete

There are a wide range of paints on store shelves, but which manufacturers can you trust your garage with? There are several brands whose product quality has received decent marks from users.

Based on real reviews, we can say with confidence that Teksil is today one of the most reliable domestic manufacturers of paints for concrete based on PVC resins. These paints dry in 2 hours and create an excellent wear-resistant coating.

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If you are interested in acrylic paints, you should pay attention to the compositions from Grid. They can be used for both indoor and outdoor work on surfaces with a high abrasion load.

How to choose paint for a concrete floor in a garage and how much it will take

Before deciding on the type of paint, you need to decide which surface suits you best - smooth glossy or matte rough. If the concrete has already been painted before, it would be good to use compatible compounds.

Floors are a large volume for painting, so mechanizing the process is ideal. The edges of the floor are painted over with a roller or brush, and the main work is best done with an airbrush. It will cope well with water-based formulations, but “heavy” paints need to be applied with a long-handled roller.

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On average, paints on concrete are consumed about 1 liter per 25 m², this is in one layer and with the help of a sprayer. The roller and brush will "take" more paint. To reduce consumption and obtain a durable coating, it is recommended to pre-treat the concrete with a primer.

How to paint a concrete floor in a garage: an algorithm of work

Without preparation, painting is not only not worth it, but is categorically contraindicated. You're just wasting paint, and it costs a lot. Floor preparation depends on whether your screed is fresh or the floor has already been used.

If the screed is fresh, then it must be sanded before painting. If you don’t want to spend money on a specialist with equipment, a regular angle grinder and a nozzle in the form of a disc cup will do. This procedure is very dusty, so be sure to prepare respiratory and eye protection. The task of grinding is to remove the top loose layer of concrete. In principle, you can cope with a metal brush, but it is long and troublesome. After the grinding procedure, it is important to carefully remove all dust.

If the floor has already been used, you must first inspect it for damage. If there are cracks, chips - all this should be repaired, and all unstable parts should be removed to a solid foundation. After priming, the damage is filled with fresh concrete and then these places are polished.

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The primer must be selected on the same basis as your paint - this way you will achieve better adhesion. The easiest way is to apply the soil on the floor: pour it in parts and then roll it out with a roller on a long handle. No more than a day should pass between the primer and painting - this is a condition for good adhesion.

Before the finishing stage, you need to mix the paint thoroughly. If the volume is large, this is done with a nozzle on a drill - a mixer. If you are using two-component formulations, remember that they cannot be stored, as the polymerization process starts immediately upon mixing, so there will not be much time for painting. If two-component paint remains, it will have to be sent to the trash can.

As already mentioned, the easiest way to apply paint on the floor is with a roller on a long handle. So you don’t have to bend over or crawl on your knees. The roller distributes the paint in an even, thin layer, without streaks or streaks. Paint, like primer, can be poured in batches onto the floor and rolled out with a roller.

There is an interesting way to paint the floor in the garage to obtain a wear-resistant rough surface, when a thin layer of quartz sand is scattered on the first layer of applied but not yet dried paint.

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Next, a second coat of paint is applied directly on the sand. It finally fixes the smallest particles. Such processing not only looks unusual, but also eliminates slipping. A good hitch to the floor will save you from various force majeure in the garage.

Is there an alternative to paint?

In principle, it is not so necessary to paint the floor in the garage. You can get by with tinting impregnations to give a shade. There is also a popular way, which is called "iron". Its use allows you to simultaneously make the concrete surface more resistant to constant mechanical stress and at the same time protect it from moisture and aggressive garage chemicals.

The method is quite simple: a liquid solution of high-grade cement with fine sand in a ratio of 1: 1 and 10% lime is applied to a dried screed. This solution is rubbed into the floor and covered with polyethylene for gradual drying. After that, you can sand the surface a little - and you will have an unusually durable floor that will not crack.

Learn more about the ironing process in this video:

What do you think is the best paint for a garage floor? Share your thoughts in the comments!