4 Mistakes To Avoid When Buying Floor Paint For Concrete

Concrete is actually a fairly easy floor surface type to paint, so long as the right product is chosen and the surface prepared correctly. Painting a concrete floor with floor paint can add increased value and durability to your space, whether it is used in a garage, workshop, warehouse etc. However, we commonly hear reports of people experiencing very disappointing results from concrete floor paint. More often than not this is the result of four common mistakes:

1) Not Choosing The Right Paint For The Surface Type

The biggest mistake people make when buying floor paint for concrete is not to check the compatibility of the paint with the subjected surface area. If your concrete floor is already painted, some new coats may react with overlays, primers or colouring agents – and give you unwanted results in terms of bubbling, blistering or colour bleeding. To avoid these issues, we recommend taking specific product recommendations from a paint manufacturer to match up with the type and condition of your concrete floor. If in doubt, we are always happy to recommend specific products to give the best results. Simply call one of our team for a chat and we will match you up with the right paint.

2) Prioritising Low Cost Over High Quality

Painting a concrete floor is a cost-effective way of sprucing up a space and improving its durability. However, there is a strong temptation to go in too cheaply, especially when you have a large floor surface to cover. This is frequently a mistake, because low-quality paints may bring the following issues:

• Impaired surface bonding – leading to blistering and flaking
• Reduced grease and oil resistance
• Reduced water resistance
• Reduced abrasion resistance

These issues all add up to reduce the effectiveness and performance of your floor paint, leading to a floor that requires more frequent maintenance and repainting. This often costs more in the long run than buying a better quality paint in the first place. A well-selected floor paint will provide maximum protection and is much easier to maintain, polish and clean than a cheaper alternative.

3) Inadequate Surface Preparation

Many problems people face with paint originate not in the paint itself, but in the surface preparation, or lack of. For the best results, a concrete floor should be sanded to remove irregularities, then any loose material removed and holes filled in. All dust and loose debris should then be removed, the surface be degreased and finally cleaned before painting. Many types of paint benefit from a primer coat before the main surface is applied. Patches of old paint should also be abraded down so there is a completely smooth surface.

4) Unsafe Application Techniques

We have to mention this, as although it may not affect the finish of the paint, unsafe application techniques can pose a hazard to human health. Before using any paint product, please ensure that the product is safe to be used for an indoor project. This is especially important in areas with limited ventilation, such as garages. Some paints emit hazardous fumes and may also be flammable. Also, please check that your paint does not include ammonium nitrate, as ammonium nitrate fumes react with moisture in the air to form nitric acid, which then turns into nitric oxide gas. This substance is highly corrosive to both concrete and steel, as well as being hazardous to breathe in.

High Quality Floor Paints From TA Paints

To make the right choice of concrete floor paint, choose an established, reputable supplier such as TA Paints. Our full product range can be seen on our online store by clicking here. Individual customers can purchase directly through the website, and there are attractive trade rates available for wholesalers. Please get in touch for further details. You can also find out more information about painting concrete floors, including surface preparation and application techniques, in our free e-book: The Ultimate Floor Paint Guide. Click here to download your copy.