How to paint a concrete floor: epoxy, acrylic, polyurethane

Concrete surfaces, despite their strength, are susceptible from time to time. One way to push this process aside is to paint the material. How and what to paint a concrete floor on the street, and also indoors we will try to find out in this article.

Materials

Epoxy paint

Epoxy is used for the concrete floor, the price of which most often depends on the manufacturer, since it:

• reliably serves for a long time;
• prolongs the term of operation;
• gives the surface an impressive look.
• withstands heavy loads and is resistant to chemical attack.

Epoxy coatings keep well on surfaces, so they are used to paint the floor, even in:

• auto repair shops;
• production workshops;
• parking lots and stairs.

It well withstands adverse weather conditions, so it can cover open areas. The material fits well even on fresh, not quite dried surfaces, which improves the quality of the floor.

Tip: it is best to paint the surface twice.

Paint hardening time is 12-24 hours.

Characteristics of acrylic dye

Acrylic dye is a water structure based on acrylic resin to which various polymers are added.

It forms:

• protective film on the floor surface;
• protects the floor from various mechanical and chemical influences;
• prevents the destruction of the floor.

It can be used to paint floors on balconies, stairs, basements and garages.

Advantages of acrylic paint:

• resistant to atmospheric extremes;
• it is eco-friendly;
• well protects the surface;
• dries quickly;
• waterproof and moisture resistant.

Paint the surface can be spray, roller, brush. A single coat of paint will suffice. It dries out in about 12-24 hours.

Tip: for the dismantling of concrete structures, as well as for cutting the strobe in the floor, cutting of reinforced concrete with diamond circles of necessary density is used.

Polyurethane enamel

This two-component material is designed for surface treatment inside and outside buildings.

The advantages of enamel:

• the product is harmless to others;
• tolerates atmospheric drops;
• it is economic in work, it is possible to paint the big area;
• has durable painted surfaces;
• has a low price;
• Used for metal and wood surfaces, asphalt can be painted.

Enamel has one drawback - it dries for a long time.

The instruction recommends painting the surfaces with enamel at a temperature of up to +5? С. Starting paint work, you need to mix one component of paint, then add another one and mix again. After that you can paint the surface.

It is recommended to paint the floor twice - the first time with a thin layer and after a day the painting is repeated. It dries in the range of 2-14 days. After 2 days you can walk on the floor, the paint does not stick. After a week, the layer becomes mechanically resistant, after 2 weeks - chemically resistant, suitable for use.

Advice: to make channels for communications in the finished reinforced concrete floor is very problematic, but diamond drilling of holes in concrete with crowns of the required diameter will help you in this.

Primer

If it is not possible to paint the floor, it can only be treated with a primer. It is used as a pre-treatment before painting, and as a simple protection without further painting.

Available primer for concrete coatings:

• epoxy;
• polyurethane.

Polyurethane primer:

• tightly fills small pores;
• has good bonding abilities;
• resistant to chemicals, oil, gasoline, grease, detergents, precipitation.

Material advantages:

• improves adhesion of the finishing layer;
• applied with a brush or roller;
• saves finishing coating costs.

Primer is used before painting surfaces with polyurethane enamel, as the composition of the primer and paint is identical.

Tip: before you paint the concrete floor, it must be swept.

Treat surfaces using a paint brush or roller with a short nap. The primer must be applied evenly over the entire surface.

If it is unevenly absorbed, you can paint the floor again. It is possible to apply paint on a primer in 12 hours as the last has to dry.

Tip: Do not apply paint on wet surfaces.

Epoxy primer is applied to concrete surfaces before painting them with epoxy paint. You can simply treat her concrete without further painting. It reliably clogs all pores and cracks, reinforced floor.

Among the positive qualities are the following:

• water tightness;
• water resistance;
• strengthens the surface;
• improves adhesion to paint;
• resistant to water, mechanical wear and chemical agents.

The epoxy primer is applied to a clean, sanded and dry surface using a short-hair roller or a rubber spatula. Since it loses its qualities in 20-30 minutes, you need to work with it quickly.

Conclusion

From the article it became clear that to protect concrete it is worth using paint and primer. You have learned when, how and what to do, as well as what materials to use. The use of paints makes it possible to increase the service life of the coating, which will save on its repair.

The video in this article will help you find additional information on this topic.