Driveway after an Acrylic Concrete Paint was Applied

Applying a Paint or Stain to a Concrete-slab floor is a popular way to enhance the curb appeal of a home or business and prevent future stains and tire marks. Although this is usually a homeowner-friendly job, there are some very important considerations that must be accounted for before, during, and after the job. The first question the applicator must address is: What type of surface am I coating over? Common application surfaces include driveways, walkways, garage floors, pool decks, and patios. These surfaces share common characteristics and usually involve the presence of a concrete masonry slab. It is important to note that concrete slabs require at least six months of curing time before a coating is applied to them. Additionally, the surface and subsurface of the concrete slab must be moisture free. If the presence of moisture is ignored, it can lead to premature chipping, peeling, and an overall failure of the concrete paint or stain. A simple way to test the presence of moisture is to tape plastic over a dry area of the slab and leave it for several days. If moisture is present on the plastic when it is removed, the concrete paint or stain should not be applied. The next question the applicator must address is: What product am I going to use? The product being applied must be specified as an appropriate concrete paint or stain. Standard paints or waterproofing products that are used for masonry walls or roofing systems do not have the ability to resist heavy traffic, especially hot tire pick-up. The chemistry of the paint or stain should also be considered. Most concrete paints and stains can be broken down into two categories: Latex Based, or Xylene Based. If the surface is being coated for the first time, either product can be applied with the appropriate primer coat. If the surface already has a concrete paint or stain applied, a product of the same chemistry should be placed over it. The last question to address is: Are there any steps after the paint or stain is applied that I must follow? After the application process, it is vital that the area is free of vehicular traffic for at least 72 hours. This allows the product to properly cure and reach full resistance to tire marks. At Acrylux, we carry a vast array of products such as Water-Based Concrete Stains, Xylene Based Concrete Stains, Epoxies, and Polyaspartic floor coatings and help customers choose the appropriate product for their situation.

What steps need to be taken when painting floors?