How to Paint a Concrete Basement
Painting the concrete floor of your basement can add instant new life to an otherwise gloomy space. Use a light color or faux painting techniques to create a polished look without spending a fortune. Basement floor painting can be done by the DIY enthusiast over a long weekend. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Plastic wrap
- Duct tape
- De-greasing cleaner
- Epoxy primer
- Floor paint
- Paint brush
- 3/4-inch roller
Instructions
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1
Perform a moisture test. If your floors are unsealed, moisture will seep up from underneath and ruin your paint job. To test for moisture, tape a 2x2-foot piece of plastic wrap to the concrete, and wait 24 hours. If there is condensation under the plastic, seal the floors before proceeding.
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2
Make sure floors are the texture of 180-grit sandpaper. If the floors are not already the correct texture, roughen the surface. You can rent a concrete sander at your local home improvement store. Fill any cracks with an epoxy crack filler that is paintable.
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3
Clean the surface of the floor with a de-greasing cleaner and water. Make sure the floor is completely free of dirt and grime before you begin painting. Foreign substances will interfere with the paint's ability to adhere to your basement floor. Allow concrete to dry completely.
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4
Apply epoxy primer using a 3/4-inch roller in a thin even stroke. If you can see the color of the basement floor through the primer, apply an additional coat. Allow paint to dry completely. If you are worried about the floor being too slippery, add a handful of sand to your gallon of epoxy at this step to provide some texture to the flooring.
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5
Paint the floor using floor paint. Your local hardware store can recommend a good paint for concrete. You want a paint that will best withstand foot traffic. Apply 2 or 3 thin coats of paint for best results. Thin coats of paint dry with a more durable finish than one thick coat.
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6
Allow the paint to dry for at least 4 days before your walk on it.
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Tips & Warnings
Use stains and faux painting techniques with concrete to create the look of worn leather or stone.
