Paint for concrete floor: functionality and features of
Why paint concrete? What paints can be used if it is a floor surface? How practical is epoxy, acrylate or polyurethane paint for a concrete floor? Let's try to figure it out.
Goals
Why paint concrete floor?
Painting has several goals.
- Aesthetics. It is clear that the gray surface of the concrete is not too decorate any room. Even if we are talking about a garage or home workshop.
- Protection against aggressive chemical attack. Acids used as electrolyte, fuels and lubricants and other substances inevitably used in the notorious garage and workshop dramatically accelerate the erosion of the concrete surface.
In addition: on open concrete sites, water crystallization in the pores of concrete is added to the list of destructive factors. Wet monolith when the temperature drops below zero is rapidly destroyed by increasing in volume of ice crystals.
- Dust elimination. Even where there is no significant mechanical wear, the concrete floor without any coating will constantly be dusty.
Dye requirements
From here, the basic requirements for the paint to be used can be derived.
She must be:
- Not too branded. This can be achieved by choosing a glossy coating: much less dirt adheres to it than to a rough matte paint. The alternative is the choice of color, against which the inevitable pollution will be less conspicuous.
- Resistant to aggressive media and detergents, which will remove pollution.
- Waterproof.
- Кроме того, нам нужна максимально износостойкая краска по бетону для пола: даже в жилом помещении нагрузки будут значительными, что уж говорить о пресловутой мастерской или гараже…
Impregnation
A solution that does not sparkle with aesthetics, but completely solving the problems of chemical destruction of concrete and dust on its surface is a variety of impregnations.
The key difference from dyes is that they:
- Do not contain pigments.
- Do not form a film on the floor surface. Impregnation only fills the pores of its surface layer, changing the physico-chemical characteristics of the material.
What kind of impregnation can be used in rooms where appearance is not a priority?
| Title | Key properties |
| Olifa | It gives hydrophobic properties to concrete, provides protection against weak solutions of alkalis and acids, eliminates dust. |
| Liquid glass | Eliminates dust, increases the wear resistance of the surface, prevents the penetration of moisture. Not suitable for outdoor use, used only in enclosed spaces. |
| Acrylic укрепляющие грунтовки | Protective and water-repellent properties are practically absent; You can forget about dust after processing for several years. The main advantage is the low price even against the background of linseed oil and liquid glass. |
| Epoxy Impregnation | Two-component epoxy primers are based on organic solvents; Often in the sale can be found and water-soluble impregnation. Consist of the actual resin and hardener; components are mixed immediately before use. Impregnation not only protects the concrete from water, aggressive media and erosion, but also changes its mechanical properties: compressive strength increases by 2-3 times; priming prevents cracking. Water based formulations can be applied to a damp base. |
| Polyurethane пропитки | Unlike the previous solution, polyurethane impregnations are one-component. They, in addition to traditional dedusting and hydrophobization, dramatically increase the wear resistance of the surface, while slightly affecting its hardness. |
Paints
What paints can be used in residential and industrial premises?
Rubber
Rubber floor paint for concrete, paradoxically, it sounds, has nothing to do with rubber. She deserved her name due to the elasticity of the coating, which is especially noticeable in a thick layer. Its basis is a water dispersion of acrylic resins and latex with additives that increase wear resistance.
Important point: not all rubber paints are suitable for our purposes. Most of them do not differ in wear resistance, and are intended for waterproofing works on surfaces that are not exposed to severe mechanical loads.
The advantages of the solution are obvious: low cost (approximately from 130-140 rubles / kg), the absence of odors and excellent adhesion to any surfaces. If you carefully look for flaws, you can probably find fault with the fact that rubber paint for concrete floors does not change the mechanical properties of the surface: the depth of penetration is small, and the strength and durability of the dye layer are not too different from the corresponding properties of the concrete itself.
Acrylic
Giving the most durable acrylic paint is based on organic solvents. Since the binder is close in composition to rubber paint, the key properties differ little from those described above.
Adhesion to complex surfaces (to which concrete, however, does not belong) is somewhat worse; wear resistance at about the same level. The retail cost of a kilogram is even slightly lower - from 100 - 110 rubles.
Let's look at the characteristics of a typical representative of the family - dye Akvabetol Moscow company Krasbyt.
| Property, units | Value |
| Hiding power, g / m2 | 180 |
| Mass fraction of substances that do not evaporate during drying,% | 70-75 |
| Viscosity, seconds | 60 - 100 |
| Время сушки «на отлип», часы | 1 at 20C |
| Resistance to static action of water, hours | Not less than 24 |
Любопытно: под названием «полимерная краска для бетона» чаще всего понимается именно акрилатный краситель, хотя, строго говоря, все современные стойкие красящие составы используют в качестве связующего синтетические полимеры.
Epoxy
The main advantage of two-component dyes is the exceptional hardness already mentioned. The fall of the tool on the painted floor will not leave marks on it; Water-based compositions, as well as impregnations, can be applied over wet concrete.
Disadvantages - the cost is quite high (Aquapolydekor produced by the same Moscow company KrasByt dye costs 285 rubles per kilogram) and a limited period of application. After adding the hardener, the finished paint should be used within one to two hours.
Расход на один слой составляет около 200 г/м2. Время сушки «на отлип» при комнатной температуре - 24 часа.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane paint for concrete - one-component. Wear resistance is not inferior to epoxy compounds; The elasticity of the coating is added to the property list. Resistance to aggressive environments and water resistance is also top notch.
We give a couple of points from the description of the composition of Polymerdekor from the same Krasbyt:
- Resistance to static action of water - at least 240 hours.
- Resistance to the action of fuels and lubricants - at least 24 hours.
The cost is about the same as that of epoxy compounds: 260 - 320 rubles / kg.
Painting
In general, instructions for applying a coating are present on the packaging or, as a last resort, on the seller’s website.
Some recommendations, however, should be followed when painting the floor with your own hands, regardless of the composition of the dye or impregnation.
- Before work, the surface is completely dedusted and cleaned of debris.
- Stains of paints, fats and oils are removed with organic solvents.
- When working on the street, the painted structure (plate, playground, etc.) must be hydroinsulated from the ground without fail.
Treatment
Is it possible to drill or cut concrete after painting or impregnation?
Yes. The key requirement is to use processing methods that do not lead to chipping along the edges of the hole or cut. Simply put, using a hammer drill or a jackhammer is undesirable.
The least damage to the monolith is caused by diamond tools; In addition, diamond drilling of holes in concrete and cutting of reinforced concrete with diamond circles allow reinforcement of any thickness to be made without replacing the crown or cutting wheel.
Conclusion
Within the framework of a small article, we have touched upon only the most effective and popular solutions. As usual, the video in this article will offer the reader additional material. Successes!