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Yes— you can paint your driveway. In fact, doing so can sometimes increase the value of your property. It can give your home more curb appeal, as well as providing a clean, smooth surface that is free from cracks.
Driveways are subject to a whole lot of wear and tear, from being exposed to harsh weather conditions, oil spills, and cracked concrete. If your driveway isn’t regularly cleaned and maintained, it is likely to cause you some problems further down the road.
While painting your driveway isn’t the easiest, nor the quickest of tasks, it’s fairly inexpensive and suitable for non-professionals. Depending on the paint you buy, painting your driveway is likely to cost you between $10 – $20. You’ll need to factor in any additional costs for painting tools and mortar if you plan on filling in cracks before painting.
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- Acrylic concrete, stucco, and brick paint coating designed for application to interior or exterior, vertical, or horizontal masonry surfaces.
- Can be applied in one coat, as a stain; or two coats for an opaque finish.
- Non-fading, fast drying, durable concrete stains that resist cleaning detergents, oils, grease, and scrubbing
- 300 - 400 square foot coverage per gallon
- Apply when surface temperature is below 90 °F (32 °C).
Alternatively, if you’d rather get a professional in to do the work, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 – $200 per square meter. So ultimately, the size of your driveway is going to have a huge impact on how much this project will cost.
If you’re planning on having a patterned driveway, this will usually require some stenciling. Stenciling can be pretty difficult and time-consuming which can cause aches and pains.
If you plan on taking the DIY route, here’s how:
Step 1: Clean the driveway and repair any minor cracks in the concrete. Sweep the driveway to leave a clean surface for painting. You’ll thank yourself later.
Step 2: Prime the surface by mixing etch primer as instructed in a bucket of water and scrub the driveway thoroughly using a stiff broom. Be sure to wash off the primer after 10 minutes.
Step 3: Position masking tape on your driveway around the edges and anywhere else you don’t want the paint to go. Driveway paint is made to last, to so it’s best to avoid any unwanted brush strokes.
Step 4: Thin the first coat of driveway paint with turpentine, using 100ml per 1L of paint. Driveway paint is notoriously very thick and the first coat should be thin enough to fill the rough concrete surface.
Step 5: Next, begin by painting the edges (‘cutting in’) and details of the driveway using a paintbrush.
Step 6: Use a roller brush to apply the paint evenly over the rest of your driveway. Be sure to allow a minimum of 16 hours of curing time.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteStep 7: Finally, apply a second coat of paint to your driveway. You do not need to thin this coat. Give the second coat a full week to cure before you start using your driveway.
Can you paint over a painted driveway?
Yes! It’s easy to paint over a driveway that has already been painted, as long as it’s concrete. Most driveways are concrete and have a rough texture. Regardless of this, there are plenty of tricks that can help to make repainting your driveway a breeze.
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- Durable Epoxy Acrylic Formula: Resists hot tire pickup, scuffing, cracking, peeling, and fading. KILZ 1-Part Epoxy Floor Paint delivers long-lasting protection and a satin finish that looks great on concrete surfaces.
- Interior & Exterior Use: Designed for use on both indoor and outdoor horizontal surfaces. Ideal as concrete paint for basements, garage floors, and as an exterior paint for porches, driveways, and pool decks.
- Versatile Surface Application: Use on properly prepared porous concrete, masonry, stone, and brick. Not for vertical surfaces or areas exposed to hydrostatic pressure or forklift traffic. Residential use only.
- Low-VOC, Easy Application: This water-based interior/exterior paint applies easily with a roller or brush and cleans up with soap and water. Covers 300–400 sq. ft. per gallon on smooth surfaces, 200–300 on rough.
- Trusted KILZ Performance: KILZ has been a leader in surface coatings for over 50 years. Backed by a brand known for quality and innovation in paint and primer solutions for every part of your home.
You’ll want to start by using a paint scraper and a wire brush to carefully remove as much flaking paint as possible. Don’t forget to sweep it up thoroughly, you may even want to vacuum the paint flakes away to make sure that they don’t get caught up in your fresh coat of paint.
If some of the paint won’t budge off the concrete, just leave it there. If you plan on painting over your already painted driveway, you’re going to need to get your hands on a high-quality primer.
It’s important not to purchase a bargain brand primer, as it can make or break the entire result.
How long will a painted driveway last?
This will all depend on how well it is painted. If primed and painted excellently, some driveways can stay looking fresh for up to 30 years! However, most will require a re-paint every decade or so. The weather can also impact the longevity of your driveway.
For example, those who live in sunny climates are more likely to experience cracking due to the baking heat. How often you use your driveway can also impact how long the paint will hold up.
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- DURABLE STONE-LIKE TEXTURED FINISH: Create a long-lasting, protective finish that enhances your concrete with a stone-like, speckled texture. Adds depth, and visual appeal to patios, walkways, pool decks, and more
- INTERIOR & EXTERIOR CONCRETE COATING: Designed for indoor and outdoor use on horizontal surfaces including porous concrete, masonry, brick, and stone pavers. Ideal for garages, driveways, porches, patios, and pool decks
- FILLS CRACKS & RESISTS HOT TIRE PICK-UP: More than just decorative—this heavy-duty concrete coating helps fill hairline cracks and resists hot tire pick-up, peeling, weathering, household chemicals, and UV damage for long-lasting durability
- FAST DRYING & EASY APPLICATION: Dries to the touch in 1 hour, recoat in 3–4 hours. Light foot traffic after 24 hours; fully cured in 72 hours. Allow 30 days before cleaning. Apply with brush or roller on clean, prepared surfaces
- REQUIRES 2 COATS: Each gallon of KILZ Decorative Concrete Coating covers 50 sq. ft. with 2 coats; First coat acts as the base and will not cover the surface by design
If there’s a lot of foot and car traffic all day every day, it will eventually take its toll on your driveway.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchIt’s also recommended that you avoid painting your driveway during the winter months. This is because the changes in temperature during drying can affect the final result. It’s best to leave it to dry out in the summer sun.
It’s also a good idea to ensure that there are no oil spills on your driveway before you apply primer. You should never paint a driveway that has engine oil contamination,
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What color should I paint my driveway?
Most people who paint their driveway opt for warm earthy shades such as tan, sand, beige, etc. This is most likely because they’re neutral and not too overpowering. However, these warmer tones can add a touch of class and elegance to your home, enhancing its curb appeal.
Another reason why darker colors are so popular is that they can mask and tire tracks or grubby stains that will inevitably occur over time. This makes maintaining your driveway far more simple.
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These can be stenciled repeating patterns or a single medallion. Both of these finishes require immense patience and skill, but the results are incredible and can completely transform the look of your home.
Before settling on a color choice, you should consider what shades best complement the existing colors of your home. This will make the painted driveway feel organic and fit right in with the feel of the house.
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Jim Bettesworth well known for his can-do attitude and often takes jobs other companies were unwilling or unable to do. Experienced and educated in concrete construction and painting jobs. Read More.
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