How to Paint a Concrete Wall After Pressure Washing
Painting concrete walls beautifies the surface and adds a protective barrier from the elements. Though concrete is hard, it is subject to breakdown due to extreme temperature variations and water penetration. Power washing the concrete wall before painting will remove dirt, debris and provide a clean surface that will be receptive to finishing products. Adding a quality concrete sealant beneath the primer and topcoat will add years to the wall. This is a manageable do-it-yourself weekend project for most homeowners.
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Things You'll Need
- Epoxy concrete caulking glue
- Disposable spoon or knife
- Concrete sealant
- Paint sprayer or roller
- Concrete primer
- Acrylic latex concrete paint
Instructions
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Use an epoxy concrete caulking glue to fill any surface cracks in the concrete wall. Smooth with a disposable spoon or knife and allow the repaired areas 24 hours to dry.
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Add a concrete sealant to the surface using a paint sprayer or roller. One coat should be sufficient. Allow the drying time recommended on the label before continuing. Avoid getting paint overspray on the baseboards, windows or plumbing pipes by taping the areas off with masking tape.
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Check with a home improvement center or paint outlet to find out which paint primer to use. Different sealant products require the use of specific primer paints in order to adhere correctly. Paint the primer on the wall with a paint roller or sprayer. Allow the recommended product drying time.
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Spray an initial coat of concrete acrylic latex paint and allow four or five hours to dry. Add a second coat and give the painted surface 24 to 48 hours to completely dry before touching or leaning anything against the wall. The longer the paint dries, the better it has cured. (See Reference)
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Tips & Warnings
Allow at least 24 hours for the concrete to dry after power washing. Applying sealant over wet concrete will trap the water.
Use safety glasses when spraying chemical products.
Ventilate the area well if painting an interior wall.
Epoxy concrete caulk will not work to fix areas that are leaking water. It will require a more intensive fix, according to the concrete experts at renovation-headquarters.com. (See Resource)
