Having a good-looking garage may seem like an arduous task because it falls under the least favorite housekeeping chores.
This multipurpose room serves as a workshop, storage – for piling up outdoor equipment, and a crib for cars.
Most garage floors wear a nasty look as a result of neglect and abuses from piled up oil spills and other dirt. This makes the cleaning process somewhat challenging.
However, painting improves the overall appearance of your garage and is the best upgrade your garage needs.
In today’s guide, we’ll be looking at how to paint a garage floor.
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Should I Paint My Garage Floor?
Tired of the old worn-out appearance of your garage as a result of stains from oil leaks, rustiness, or dust from dirt and in need of a worthy low budget upgrade? Painting is your go-to option.
Painting improves the look of your garage and makes regular cleaning less of a chore.
I know you are wondering, of all the other flooring options like interlocking tiles, sealers, carpets, and mats, why should you paint your garage floor?
Here is why.
Inexpensive to Use
Painting is the best option, especially when you are on a tight budget. With some leftover grease or garage floor paint, you can transform the looks of your garage floor in no time. This makes painting a common pick for most persons.
Easy to Execute
There are no special skills required to paint a garage floor. Like painting any other interior surface. Know the basics have your materials and tools handy, and the rest is easy to apply.
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It Keeps your Garage and the Stored Equipment Tidy
The majority of settled dust on cars, workbenches and work equipment is as a result of a bare concrete floor.
Activities such as sweeping, driving, and walking on bare concrete floor raise dust.
Painting will save you the trouble of these airborne dust particles.
It Doesn’t Need High Maintenance
Low maintenance is one of the many advantages of painting your garage floor. A dust mop and clean water would do the magic since the floor has less accumulated dust.
In cases where the paint starts wearing out, peeling or removing flakes over time, it can be retouched or recoated.
Pass a spatula through the worn-out area, sweep and mop the floor thoroughly to take out all debris from the worn-out paint. Recoat when the floor is completely dry.
Painting Improves the Look of your Garage
A painted floor completely alters the looks of the garage. A well-painted garage floor will be more inviting and serve better as a multipurpose room.
Varieties of Color
The availability of paints in an array of colors is an added advantage. Although one can seize the opportunity of having unlimited color options. Sticking to a neutral color like gray will reflect light more than a darker color.
This brightness is noticeable and is of more advantage when you plan to double your garage as a workshop.
But a denser or darker color absorbs more light and is less reflective, leading to a less brightened room.
It Provides Good Floor Protection and Prevents Deterioration
Painting prevents the growth of mildew, dust mites, and mold.
These organisms thrive well in bare concrete floors, especially for residents of wet climate areas, and their presence leads to the disintegration of the floor.
It prevents tough stains from chemical spills, oil leaks, and grease fluids from adhering to the floor surface, thus easing the cleaning process.
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Easiest Way to Paint a Garage Floor
To paint a garage floor, you will need basic supplies, materials, and tools. I follow the DIY easy steps I will be showing you below, painting like a pro will be a walk in the park for you.
Tools and Materials Needed
Here are the necessary tools you’ll need while painting your garage floor:
The Choice of Paint
If you’re wondering what paint to use on your garage floor, then we highly recommend the one below:
Garage floor paints are of two (2) types. The water-based latex acrylic paint or oil-based epoxy paint.
Although formulated to meet the same demands, the latex acrylic paint is a bit of a cheaper option in the short term, while epoxy garage paint is more durable.
The oil-based paint requires solvent for clean up, while the former requires water and detergent.
Whatever type of paint you choose, try and read the instructions before use. You also want to pay more attention to temperature suggestions, humidity levels, and floor surface preparation.
The durability and outcome of your painting job is dependent on these factors. Inadequate surface preparation will lead to poor adhering of the paint to the surface.
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For example, oil-based paints do not set during winter seasons or at an air temperature below 60 degrees.
Existing moisture levels will lift coating off the floor surface, making it difficult to adhere.
Other tools and materials needed for garage floor painting are:
- Protective clothing (Cover cloth, rubber gloves, face mask, safety eyewear)
- Broom
- Mop
- Dust parker
- Primer
- Wet-dry vacuum
- Degreaser
- High-pressure nozzle
- Stiff bristle scrubbing brush
- Extension pole
- Detergent
- Plastic bucket
- Concrete filler or patch
- Protective coverings for other surfaces
- Etching solution
- Paint roller
- Paintbrushes
How to Paint a Garage Floor (Step by Step)
Now that you already know why you should paint your garage floor as well as the necessary tools needed for the job let’s now look at how to paint a garage floor like a pro.
The process involves eight straightforward steps, as you can see below:
Step 1: Be Organized
The key to successfully carry out any DIY project is to be organized and prepared. Tools and supplies should be well assembled and in reach to avoid unnecessary movement and unwanted stains on other areas.
Step 2: Ensure Proper Ventilation
Ensure proper inflow and outflow of air in the garage before painting. Paints contain toxic fumes that could have an adverse effect on human health and may cause difficulty in breathing.
Proper precautions should be taken to avoid exposure to these harmful fumes to the home environment.
Cross ventilation is duly required. In cases where there is a lack of adequate windows, a running fan can be used to facilitate ventilation. This is to make sure that the toxic fumes are being pushed out, not just being circulated.
Step 3. Prep the Floor for Painting
Sweep the floor- Make sure to properly sweep the floor surface of all debris. Bare concrete is known to readily collect dust particles.
With the aid of a scraper and a degreaser, scrape off hard dirt and apply a generous amount of degreasers. These particles can serve as a barrier between the paint and the floor surface.
Apply directly on the noticeable stains. Let it for a minimum of ten minutes. For tough stains, let it stay for at most twenty minutes.
Note: Do not combine different portions of products for use. To avoid harmful chemical reactions, always follow the product’s instructions on the right ratio to use.
Place a Stiff bristle scrubbing brush on the end of a broom handle, using applied force, scrub the floor properly to take off dissolved stains.
With the aid of a high-pressure nozzle attached to your garden hose, flush off the lather and the standing liquids.
Mop out excess water and leave to air dry. This should be done immediately so as to avoid the cleaning agents drying on the concrete and to avoid over-wetting the floor as the goal is for it to dry quickly.
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Step 4: Patch up Cracks on the Concrete Surface
It is essential to inspect the floor and fill up noticeable cracks on the floor surface. These cracks can leave a dent to the finishing if not appropriately covered.
A lot of products in the market make up for this purpose.
For smaller cracks, you need a concrete repair compound to fill up patches. For wider and deeper cracks, use a concrete patch. Gently apply in layers, allowing each to dry before applying the next.
Use a wet rag to skim off excess product on the surface to keep the area smooth. Leave to dry.
Note: See instructions to know product repair duration before painting.
Step 5: Apply Etch Concrete Treatment
Etch treatment opens up the pores of the concrete by giving it a rough look and feel as that of sandpaper. This is to allow the paint to adhere better.
Follow the product’s instructions carefully. Sander can be used to achieve this too. Make sure to clean off traces of sand and dust afterward.
Step 6: Set the Surface with a Primer
Apply a coat of primer paint on the dry floor surface. Use a roller to spread all through the edges of the floor. This is to enhance adhesion and bonding between the floor surface and the paint.
Step 7: Lay down the First Coat of Concrete Floor Paint
Mix the first coat of paint thoroughly before application. This improves the adhesion of the paint into the concrete. It is best suggested to use a nylon brush in applying the first coat. Brush in a thin coat of paint gently and allow to air dry for 24 hours.
Step 8: Lay down the second coat of concrete floor paint
The second coat of paint can be laid in thicker forms using a roller.
Wash materials used with detergent and water.
After the painting has finished, the fans should be allowed to run some more to ensure proper elimination of fumes from the garage.
The room should be left to dry for about 24-48 hours before moving storage equipment back in and a week before driving cars in to prevent smudging of the already painted floor.
Read Also: How to Remove Paint from a Car
Is painting a garage floor a good idea?
A worthwhile home upgrade is painting your garage floors, which will protect them from all manner of gunk and make cleanup much easier. Oil stains are the worst as they work their way into porous concrete and leave a slick residue that picks up dirt and is easy to track into the house.
How do you prep a garage floor for painting?
How to Paint a Garage Floor
- STEP 1: Ensure good ventilation in the garage.
- STEP 2: Clear the floor of dust and dirt, which may prevent epoxy paint from sticking.
- STEP 3: Fill in any imperfections in the concrete floor.
- STEP 4: Apply concrete etcher to prep the floors for epoxy.
- STEP 5: Prime before you paint.
What kind of paint should I use on my garage floor?
latex acrylic paint
There are basically two types of paint that you can use on your garage floors – latex acrylic paint or an epoxy paint. While the latex paint is a bit of a cheaper option in the short term, epoxy paint is more durable and will provide a better bond to the concrete making it more chip resistant.
Can I just paint my concrete floor?
You can refresh the entire space by painting your concrete floors. In combination with the right tools and techniques, today’s masonry paints, designed specifically for concrete, make it easy to turn a drab concrete floor into an attractive surface that can complement a variety of spaces, both indoors and out.
Do I need to seal my garage floor before painting?
Prior to painting a garage floor it is recommended that you make sure it is as dust free as possible using a vacuum cleaner, then apply a floor sealer such as Regal Prime and Seal or to prepare for epoxy floor paint, use Two Pack Epoxy Sealer Undercoat.
Do you need to prime a garage floor before painting?
If you are planning to also paint your garage floor, applying sealant can act as a primer. Priming prior to painting can help achieve better adhesion if moisture is an issue or if the concrete is dusty and “weak.” If you’re going to paint the garage floor, allow the sealant/primer to dry thoroughly (at least 8 hours).
Can you paint concrete without primer?
Generally speaking, priming is so essential to successful painting outcomes, concrete will always needs a primer. However, the existing surface needs to be primed before painting if: It is unpainted. It is peeling.
How do you paint over already painted garage floor?
If the floor is already painted, you will need to use a scraper to take off any loose paint and any stubborn surface matter. Vacuum the scraped-off paint and spray the floor with a pressure washer or hard spray from a hose, and then mop.
How do you paint over old concrete?
How to Paint Concrete
- STEP 1: Patch gouged or otherwise damaged areas with concrete filler.
- STEP 2: Clean the concrete surface with TSP.
- STEP 3: Let the surface dry thoroughly before you begin to paint the concrete.
- STEP 4: Brush paint onto the perimeter of the concrete.
- STEP 5: Roll on more paint to cover the interior.
Can I epoxy my garage floor myself?
Epoxy garage floors are a great DIY project you can do to spruce up your home. Epoxy will make your floors look nice, clean up easily, and give your garage a finished look. You must spend the time to properly clean and prep your garage. If you do, the end results will be fantastic.
How much does it cost to paint a 2 car garage floor?
The national average materials cost to paint a garage floor is $0.78 per square foot, with a range between $0.57 to $0.99. The total price for labor and materials per square foot is $2.65, coming in between $1.79 to $3.51. A typical 300 square foot project costs $794.53, with a range of $535.69 to $1,053.38.
Conclusion
As you can see, painting a garage floor is an effortless and painless process. Hopefully, if you’ve wanted to learn how to paint a garage floor easily, the guide has provided you with everything you need to master the process.
Just follow the steps above to paint your garage floor just the way you want it. Good enough, there are many garage floor paints available out there that will give your garage a stunning appearance. Pick any of them and ride with it.
And do not forget to share your experience with us.
Happy painting!
