How To Paint A Garage Floor Effectively
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When you’re looking to paint your garage floor, finding out how to do so effectively can be incredibly difficult. There are so many different types of floor paint and, if you’re not careful, you could end up wasting money on the wrong type.
Determining the Type of Paint Needed
- Considering the following is the key to getting the right kind of paint for your garage floor.
- How much foot and vehicle traffic is your garage floor going to receive?
- How hard wearing does it need to be? E.g Single Pack, Two Pack Epoxy or Solvent Free Epoxy
- What is the floor substrate – e.g. painted concrete or bare concrete
- Does the floor need special protection – e.g against oil or grease
- Do you need an anti-slip coating?
Preparation
If your garage floor is already painted, it may need to be stripped in order to be repainted. However, some paints allow you to apply directly onto a painted surface. This should be something that is said in the paint instructions. After this, you will need to ensure that your floor is dry, clear of dust and loose material, repaired thoroughly and clean before even thinking about painting as loss of adhesion and blistering can lead to problems when painting your garage floor. After this, you need to finish your floors if they are painted before. Lightly sanding the surface area before painting should do the trick, as it will remove flaking paint and provide a good key for the new coat of paint. If your garage floor is new concrete or cement, it is important to leave it for three months before painting it, otherwise the paint may not adhere correctly. It is also important to make sure that all holes are repaired with concrete filler and are left to cure before painting.Painting
It’s important to wear all personal protective equipment when painting your garage floor and to ensure there is good ventilation. Once you have gathered your necessary equipment, you’re ready to begin painting your garage floor. First, thoroughly mix the paint according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you are using a spray gun, you may want to thin it down with the appropriate thinners. Begin painting by starting at the tricky parts- the corners and edges. This means that you can have a struggle-free painting experience if you tackle the difficult parts first. Be sure to keep your brush and roller strokes even and in the same direction.After Painting
Once you’ve finished painting, it’s important to clean your brushes as soon as possible using the appropriate solvent. However, storing them in this will only damage them and lead you to need to buy a new brush or roller. Store your unused and uncatalysed paint in a cool, dry area until you are ready to apply your next coat of paint because we always recommend you apply two coats to ensure a good even finish. Once you’ve applied as many coats as you need, you need to leave your paint to cure before you can use the area as intended. The curing time is usually on the manufacturer's instructions and can range from 16-24 hours. Furniture should not be replaced until a week after painting. It is extremely important to monitor moisture levels during this time, as excess moisture can cause a whole host of problems to your newly applied paint.Everything You Need To Paint A Garage Floor
After reading this article, you should be ready to paint your garage floor effectively. It can be an arduous task but one that is highly rewarding, leading to a longer life for your flooring. If you want to know more about floor paints, download our Ultimate Floor Paint Guide, aimed to help you make the right choice of paint, treatments and coatings. Click here to access your copy.
