How to Paint Interior Cement Floors

Proper preparation of the cement is key to a successful painting job.

Painting a cement floor is an affordable home improvement project that can add interesting flair to a room in just a few days. Compared to installing hardwood floors, tile or carpet, painting a cement floor can be done at a fraction of the cost and is less labor intensive. With proper preparation of the cement prior to painting followed by careful application of all painting materials, an ordinary cement floor can be transformed into a design element to complement any room.

Things You'll Need

• Putty knife
• Broom
• Kitty litter
• Trisodium phosphate (TSP)
• Stiff brush
• Bucket of water
• Mop
• Painter's tape
• Paint tray
• Metal trowel
• Concrete adhesive
• Cement primer
• Cement paint
• Cement sealer
• Paint rollers
• Paintbrush
• Mask

Instructions

1. Clean the cement surface thoroughly. Scrape away any substance or material that is stuck to the floor with a putty knife and sweep the entire floor. The Home Improvement website recommends removing any oil or grease from the cement by applying kitty litter and then using a stiff brush to scrub the area with trisodium phosphate (TSP). Rinse the floor and let it dry for several days.

2. Repair cracks or holes by applying a concrete patch or using hydraulic cement. Brush concrete adhesive into the crack or hole to be patched before applying the concrete patch mixture to the area, according to Dixieline ProBuild. Use a metal trowel to smooth the cement patch and let it dry according to the manufacturer's directions.

3. Stick painter's tape to the baseboards around the perimeter of the room to protect them from the primer, paint and sealer.

4. Apply a cement primer. Ask a professional at a hardware store for the proper primer to use on cement flooring. Roll the primer on the entire surface that will be painted and allow the floor to dry for the length of time recommended by the manufacturer.

5. Use a clean roller with a long handle to apply cement floor paint in thin coats. Home Improvement recommends applying two to four coats for the best durability and most consistent color, allowing the floor to dry thoroughly between coats.

6. Apply a sealer to protect the floor. Roll the sealer on the entire surface of the painted cement floor. Wear a mask to avoid inhaling fumes. Apply a second coat of sealer after the first has dried completely.

Tips & Warnings

• Use primer, paint and sealer in a well-ventilated room to avoid inhaling fumes.

• Ask a professional to ensure the paint is concrete-compatible and consider floor additives to make the surface less slippery.

• Use a pre-mixed concrete patch for small patching jobs.

• Use a paintbrush, not the roller, to paint the floor around the baseboards.

• Use a new, clean roller when applying the primer, paint and sealer.

• Always start painting at the point furthest from the door and paint out the door to avoid painting yourself into a corner.

References

• Home Improvement: How To Paint Concrete
• DIY Network: How To Paint A Concrete Garage Floor
• Dixie Line: Repairing and Patching Concrete

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish