How to Get Concrete Paint to Stick to a Smooth Surface
Concrete paint offers the quickest, most inexpensive way to liven up a dark dingy basement or garage floor. However, because horizontal concrete surface are slick and smooth, it is impossible to get paint to adhere properly unless you employ the proper preparation techniques. If you are having trouble getting paint to stick to a smooth concrete surface, you need to familiarize yourself with the appropriate preparation and application techniques or you are sure to end up with chipping and peeling. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Metal putty knife
- Chemical degreaser
- Coarse brush
- Dish soap
- Muriatic acid kit for etching
Instructions
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1
Scrape away any mud and grime from the smooth concrete surface using the metal putty knife.
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2
Apply a chemical degreaser to any slick, greasy areas. Scrub the area with a coarse brush.
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3
Clean the concrete with regular dish soap. Rinse the surface thoroughly or you may have problems with adhesion.
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4
Add water to the muriatic acid, diluting it as instructed by the labeling on the kit.
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5
Apply the solution to the smooth concrete surface using the spray nozzle included with the kit.
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6
Wait 15 minutes for the muriatic acid to etch the floor. Rinse the solution as instructed by the labeling on the kit.
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7
Repeat Steps 4, 5 and 6 until the concrete surface feels gritty to the touch.
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8
Apply paint only after the concrete surface has been completely abraded and no longer feels smooth.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are applying concrete paint to a surface that has already been painted, there's no need to etch the surface with muriatic acid. Instead, abrade the surface by sanding it with 80- to 120-grit sandpaper.
Muriatic acid can be dangerous and kits often come with instructions that differ slightly from one to the next. Always follow the instructions that came with your kit to the letter or you may face serious consequences.
