Painting - Painting concrete

Hello! I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on painting concrete steps. The steps are outside and are the front steps to the house. They currently do not have any paint on them and are not cracking.

I am wondering if I need a primer, specific paint and do I need a sealer? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Also do you have to worry about slipping on the stairs once they are painted?? Someone also told me I might have a problem with once I paint them then I will have to paint them over and over again because of the weather. I live in Ohio.

Thanks!

While I don't have much experience painting concrete, I do know that doing so requires a special paint. If you're going to do it, visit a paint store and ask what they recommend for concrete that is exposed to the elements and will be walked on. And yes, expect to repaint every few years...

Hello

I have painted concrete before. If you do, I recommend using DryLok concrete waterproofer paint (latex based). You can buy at Menards or Home Depot.

However, I would not paint anymore after I discovered concrete resurfacing. Sound hard? Well, basically, it is just like painting. Go to Home Depot or Menards and buy a bag of concrete resurfacer. Also, get a masonry nylon brush, a 5 gallon bucket, and a wisk (used for cooking, but don't use it for cooking anymore:-)

Then, just mix according to instructions. And don't worry about being exact. Just remember, you want a thin paint like mixture. You can also tint it do a desired color.

Next, mix the resurfacer in the 5 gallon bucket. Wear a pair of dishwashing gloves when working with concrete.

Just brush it on. Now, the thing that makes it slippery is when you finish it with a squeegie. You are finishing it with a brush. Therefore, it will be non slippery.

Just take your time and be neat and clean. Do not let it sit in the 5 gallon bucket too long or it will harden up. Also, do not clean it in the sink. In fact, never ever pour sand or any kind of concrete mixture in the sink. You will end up with tons of money in having all of your drain pipes replaced.

Clean on the lawn with a hose. Done. And best part of it is you do not have to repaint it.

Also, if you choose to use the Dry Lok paint, you do not have to repaint that either.

Your choice, however, I would use the resurfacer just because it looks like brand new concrete. Fills in all of the cracks, and it makes the sidewalk or concrete steps stronger.

Spencer

Spinnybobo,

Is that resurfacer you referred to a colored cementitious mix? I saw that on HGTV recently and thought it was a great new product and I was interested in some real world application stories.

you have to add the color. otherwise, it is grey. it is a thin concrete. you brush it on for a sidewalk (outdoor), and squeegie it for a garage or basement.

just make sure that it is mixed all the way, and it is not too thick.

My front steps ARE painted and are peeling badly. I just can't seem to get some sections stripped thoroughly. Can I use the concrete resurfacer over the paint I can't remove??

For your steps I would do the following:

Go get a pressure washer. Go to menards and get this masonry paint stripper. It is very toxic to plants, etc.. so be careful. You put it on, wait, scrub, and pressure wash it off.

I foget the name of this stuff. There might be more natural products out their that are not so dangerous. Also, the pressure washer might get off the paint if it is not on too good.

Then, resurface it. Recently, I found out that it is easier to get a 5 gallon bucket, a mudmixer, and an extension used to mix the mud---usually found in the drywall section.

Put a little water in the bucket. Then, a little resurfacer. Mix. Then, keep adding water and resurfacer until it becomes like a thin pancake batter consistency. Then, take a nylon masonry brush and brush it on. Make sure you cover areas you dont want covered with some tape.

Wear rubber dish gloves also. Dont mix too much!!! You might want to just use the wisk method if you need just a little amount.

You can also add color as well. And, if you want to get creative, you can also take thin masking tape about 3/8 wide and shape brick mortar. Resurface this and take tape off at the right time so it does not get stuck. Practice on a piece of durarock first. Then, you can go back using a smaller brush you can buy at a craft store and paint in resurfacer in the mortar areas using the natural grey color.

I never tried it but I think it is the basis of the "fake" way to do brick pavers, etc..

good luck