How to Paint a Tile Look on a Concrete Patio

Many of us have concrete patios that have been gray since the day they were poured. We are tired of that gray and tired of looking at the patio. We admire the new stamped concrete at the neighbor's house or the nice new tile at the house down the street. With a little elbow grease, some polyurethane paint, some tape and a few days, your patio can look brand new. You will have a unique patio, a custom design, chosen, designed and created by you.

Things You'll Need

• An exterior concrete slab patio
• Strong detergent
• Strong scrub brush, not wire
• Plumber's epoxy
• Polyurethane paint, at least two colors
• Paint brushes, rollers, roller covers, Telescoping rods can make the job easier
• Thin tape, 1/2" wide
• Marking pen
• Protective clothing, mask, gloves
• Tape measure

Instructions

Cleaning your Patio

1. Put on latex gloves. Mix a strong detergent with water. The detergent can be harsh, so wear your gloves.

2. Scrub your patio with detergent and water. Use the stiffest brush you can find. Start scrubbing in one corner and work your way across the entire surface. Scrub until you are sure the surface is as clean as you can possibly get it.

3. Allow the patio to dry thoroughly.

Painting your Patio

1. Don protective clothing and a mask. Paint your patio using the darker of the two colors you have chosen. For example, you could pick a dark gray and a brown that is not quite a dark as the gray. Polyurethane paint has a strong odor and can aggravate any breathing problem you may have, so be sure you wear your mask when painting

2. Wait for the dark color to dry.

3. Prep your new patio surface by scuffing, sanding or deglossing. Polyurethane finish can be glossy and slippery. You don't want to slip and fall or have anyone else slip and fall on your new patio. If you decide on deglossing, ask the paint seller what product is best for your particular polyurethane as they are all different.

4. Choose the pattern you want. Keep it simple. Simple usually looks best when you are finished. Large squares will look great.

5. Measure and mark the lines with your marker before you apply the tape. Measuring makes it easier to have straight lines and equal size squares on your patio. Tape off your squares being careful to keep the squares even.

6. Use your second color to dab, dry brush or rub on.

7. Allow the paint to dry completely and remove the tape. The tape adds grout lines to your brand new patio, as paint can not get under the tape. Your patio will look like your very own masterpiece.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with colors using paint chips until you decide what is best for your patio. Two colors relatively close together are usually best.

• Do not allow the surface to be too slippery. You don't want anyone to slip and fall on your new patio.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish