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Is Paint Or Stain Better For Concrete?

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Whether it’s a drive, part of our garden, or basement floor, most of us have concrete in some capacity in our homes. And let’s face it, it’s not attractive, is it? That dull grey color leaves much to be desired, and most of us wish it were a bit brighter, whiter, or colorful. Anything other than the grey color that it is.

So what can we do about it? Well, we can paint over it to add some creativity and color into our lives! Many people opt to paint over their concrete to add a personal touch to their homes but face another challenge: what paint to use? 

It can be hard to find the best paint for the job, which is why we are here today to help you on your way! We have the answers to all your concrete-related queries here so that you can leave today a concrete painting expert! 

Is paint or stain better for concrete?

When it comes to painting or staining concrete, the better option depends on the concrete you are looking to cover and some other factors. Not quite the straightforward answer you were seeking, but stick with us as we help you make your decision!

Concrete stains come in two forms: water or acid staining and will add color to your concrete, but they are not without complications. Water concrete stainers are easy to use and can be applied once you clean the concrete but require sealants to prevent fading. You often need more than one application too for a deeper color. 

Acid stainers, on the other hand, are more complicated to use. These can be incredibly dangerous and require protective equipment to avoid irritating your skin, lungs, and eyes. While these stainers will offer color to your concrete, there is no protection offered to the concrete, which often puts users off. 

Concrete paint will cover your concrete surface and protect it, but they require a great deal of prep work beforehand. You will need to clean your concrete to remove any oil and grease and use muriatic acid to remove chemicals on your concrete surface. Muriatic acid is hazardous if inhaled, and you must be extremely careful when using it. 

You then follow with a concrete primer before applying concrete paint and allowing it to dry. You need to ensure that you use the correct sealer to avoid moisture entering the concrete to impact its structural integrity. 

It’s worth weighing these factors up when deciding whether to use paint or stainer. Both can be used indoors or outdoors and will offer color to your concrete, although be mindful it might need to be topped up. 

Consider which steps sound better to you and the price of the stainer or paint when making your decision, and remember your protective clothing and equipment at all times to ensure your safety. 

Can I stain concrete that has been painted?

Generally, no, you will not be able to stain concrete that has been painted. Once the surface of the concrete has been painted or sealed, staining treatments will not be able to penetrate the concrete. Usually, they would enter the concrete and react with the lime to stain the concrete, but thanks to the paint, it cannot. 

If the concrete has been sealed after painting, too, then you are unable to stain the concrete and change the color. You can attempt to remove the sealer or paint using a caustic concrete stripper, which will remove the dirt, oil, and acrylic residue before you follow on with your stainer.

You will need to be incredibly careful when using the caustic concrete sealer, as caustic soda can be dangerous. You will need to use protective gear and clothing to avoid any skin irritations. You will need to be mindful when using these strippers, as although they will remove the acrylic sealant, you still might not be able to stain the painted concrete successfully. 

The stripper might remove some of the paint colors, but not all, impacting the stain result. You might have a slightly different effect than anticipated, and it is best to be prepared for this before you begin the stripping and staining process. 

Generally speaking, the risk of different effects and the stain not working properly, staining over painted concrete is something that we don’t recommend. 

Can you color cement with paint?

Yes, you can color cement with paint! Acrylic paint works best when coloring your cement, and you are likely to see great results! It is worth noting that while mixing color with the cement can leave you with colored concrete, it can fade over time depending on the color and ingredients used. 

For best results, you will want to use a bright color to ensure its longevity, even when it starts to fade slightly. You can use acrylic paint or a concrete coloring pigment, whichever you have available that will change the color of your concrete. The more pigment or paint you add, the stronger your color will be, so those after a bright and vibrant color go wild!

To combine the cement with your paint, mix the paint or concrete coloring pigment with water and add it to your concrete as the instructions say. Ensure that the color and cement are mixed well to avoid any patchy paint colors when you lay your concrete. It’s worth adding a little warm water, as this can make it easier to handle. 

Once these have been mixed, pour or use your concrete as intended and allow it to set and cure. You might need to allow longer for your concrete to set thanks to the addition of paint, although this is unlikely. 

Remember to wear protective clothing and gear when mixing your concrete and seek help from a professional if you require it! Following this method will allow you to mix paint with cement for colored concrete, but remember that it can fade over time, especially lighter colors!

How Do You Clean Walls Without Removing Paint

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How Do You Clean Walls Without Removing Paint

There’s one thing that’s especially irritating about having painted walls. It’s super easy to get stains over the walls! Now, if you’ve ever tried to scrub a painted wall clean, you will know that scrubbing a painted wall usually results in having some ugly blotches of removed paint. This isn’t the best look for your living space! 

Thankfully, cleaning a painted wall without removing paint is a lot easier than you may think. You just need to have the right technique! The first thing that you need to do is figure out what kind of paint you have on the wall.

Is it oil based, or is it latex based? Once you have done this, you can then choose how to remove the paint. Get rid of any dust and debris that you can from the wall before you begin to clean.

You can usually do this using a brush attachment on your vacuum, if you have one. When you are cleaning, it’s also important to put some towels on the floor to ensure that they are protected during the cleaning process.

Once you have done this, you should then get a mild cleaner and work your way up the wall. Wipe any smudges or stains off the wall using a damp cloth and take care not to excessively scrub, as this may remove the paint.

Sometimes, you may find that even this strategy doesn’t work. In this case, get some warm water and a bit of mild dish soap. You can gradually build up the intensity as things don’t work – eventually, you will find a formula that’s strong enough to clean the wall.

Once you have finished, you can then dry the area using a towel. The last thing that you want is to have streaks of water messing up your wall. 

If the stain is particularly strong, you can make a remedy consisting of baking soda and water. Once it has turned into a paste, you can then rub it over the stain – not too vigorously, though!

Then, wipe the paste off the wall gently using a cloth, and dry the area. In some circumstances, losing some paint is a little inevitable. In this situation, it’s best that you touch up the paint to restore the wall to its former glory.

There are also some things that you can do to make the task much easier for you in future. For instance, you should try to dust the walls on a regular basis since this will help them to look clean for longer, meaning that you may not have to clean the walls in the future.

You should also be cautious when you’re cleaning areas around the light switches and the electrical outlets. Finally, try not to use colored towels and sponges on the wall, since the color may be more likely to transfer onto the wall.

How do you remove stains from walls without removing paint

Sometimes stains are inevitable on your walls, especially in places like the bathroom and the kitchen. Of course, how you remove the stains depends on the type of stain in question.

Let’s start off with kitchen grease, a common cause of stains on walls. Thankfully, you can clean kitchen grease off the walls by using any good dishwashing soap.

Just dab some onto the walls gently for a while, dab it dry and then your walls should be clean. Particularly nasty stains may require a stronger solution, but in most cases this should be sufficient. 

What about your average, everyday dirt and grime? Muddy paw or handprints can make your walls look pretty dirty! There are actually products designed for this purpose – things like wall erasers are a great choice for getting rid of everyday dirt and grime from the walls.

Wall erasers are usually rather affordable and come in packs of 4. You could also get a gallon of warm water, a ¼ cup of baking soda, a cup of ammonia and ½ cup of apple cider vinegar to get the job done.

You can just put this solution onto a cloth or a sponge and your walls will be clean in no time.

Sometimes your little ones may get crayon or permanent marker marks all over the walls too – it’s a parent’s worst nightmare! If you have crayon marks on the wall, you can use a wall eraser to get the stains gone.

If you don’t have a wall eraser, then you can use a homemade solution instead. For instance, you can get rid of swipe marks using baby wipes, or use baking soda on a damp sponge.

You can also use toothpaste to get rid of the stains or you can use a pencil eraser in a circular movement on the stain. If your little ones have gotten permanent marker stains on the walls, then you can get rid of it by putting some rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and you can dab at the mark.

Hairspray can also work a charm!

Mildew can also be a common stain that can get on the walls. You can remove it by getting a tablespoon of white vinegar with a quart of water and put this on the wall using a cloth. Alternatively, you can also use an enzyme laundry detergent. You’ll just need to follow the instructions that have been listed on the label. 

If you have water stains on your wall, then you first need to figure out what’s causing the stains.

Then, once you have done this, you can rinse the stain using a cup of bleach and a gallon of water as this will stop mildew and mold from developing on the wall. Then dry the wall using a fan or a hairdryer. 

If you notice that some paint has still been removed from the wall, repaint the area as needed.

Are Painted Concrete Floors Slippery?

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Are Painted Concrete Floors Slippery

A concrete floor, once painted, can indeed become dangerously slippery, especially when wet. This is because most paints and sealers add a thin and smooth layer, which covers the outer texture of the concrete, getting rid of the grip that it has.

And then, when it rains or water is spilled, the surface can become super slippery, which is less than ideal. 

However, this isn’t always the case. Professionals are very aware of the risk of concrete becoming slippery after being painted, so they take special steps to ensure it is as anti-slip as possible, especially in public areas where they need to minimize the risk of accidents and injuries. 

What they do, therefore, is use grit additives within the paint and sealers, so that the surface has some grip to it, and it is no longer a smooth and slippery surface. If the painted concrete has these grit additives, then it will not be slippery.

And in most public spaces, painted concrete will have them, and so it won’t be slippery, so it’s usually safe to assume that concrete floors are anti-slip and completely safe.

If you want to ensure that your painted concrete isn’t slippery, then you have to double-check that the paint or sealer that you are using includes a grit additive. 

To cover the basics, there are three main grit additives used in concrete paint: silica sand, aluminum oxide beads, and polymer grit. So as a general rule, you should look out for either of those three for your concrete paint, to guarantee it is anti-slip. 

The grit additives are usually available in different grit sizes as well, so that you can personalize the finish. That way, you can increase or decrease the surface roughness as desired, depending on how much of an anti-slip concrete you need it to be.

Let’s take a better look at all three of the main grit additives: 

  • Silica sand:

Silica sand is quartz, broken down into tiny granules, that is commonly used as an additive to add grip to a surface. It’s quite heavy, and in turn, it tends to settle at the bottom of the mixing bucket, so it can be quite hard to apply evenly.

It requires a lot of constant mixing, or else the surface won’t be as anti-slip as desired. It also might slightly alter the color of the concrete or paint, so this is something to watch out for! 

  • Aluminum oxide bead:

Aluminum oxide beads are very similar to silica sand, in all regards. It is also on the heavy side, meaning it is extra important to properly mix the bucket so that the grip is applied evenly over the concrete surface.

It might also affect the color of the paint or concrete, so take that into account when mixing the additives in! 

  • Polymer grit: 

Polymer is perhaps the most common of all three grit additives, and it is essentially micronized pieces of plastic. These pieces are super lightweight and completely translucent, so it doesn’t affect the color of the paint at all, and it’s also super easy to mix into the paint, without it going to the bottom.

Polymer is also a lot smoother, so it’s better for walking barefoot (like for example the side of swimming pools), while still retaining good anti-grip properties. So on the whole, polymer grit is usually considered as the better grit additive! 

Does painting concrete make it slippery? 

Painting concrete doesn’t necessarily make it slippery, as it depends on the paint and the sealers being used. If normal paint and sealers are used, then the concrete will likely become slippery, especially when wet, which can be a big hazard risk.

However, most paint that is used on concrete, has been specially designed for use on concrete and therefore has grit additives, which will roughen up the surface so that it is anti-slip, instead of being a smooth finish prone to becoming slippery. 

How do I make my concrete floor less slippery?

If your concrete floor is slippery, whether because it’s been painted without the grit additives, or for other reasons, then you’re going to want to find ways of making it a little more non-slip.

The first thing is to be aware that slippery concrete becomes even more slippery when it’s wet, and can become quite dangerous. This is why you will often see “wet floor” signs on concrete surfaces in public spaces!

So… avoid this kind of concrete surface if it rains! 

But on a day to day basis, if you want to lessen the risk of slipping on a concrete floor that hasn’t been painted with grit additives, here are a few simple solutions you can apply: 

  • Clean the surface regularly:

Some believe that dirt can add a slight grip to the surface, making it less slippery and that super clean concrete is more slippery. However, this is actually the other way around!

Clean concrete surfaces are around 20 times less likely to cause an accident due to slipping, while dirty surfaces can often be risky and slippery. So clean the concrete floor as regularly as possible!

  • Use carpets, rugs, and others:

This isn’t always possible, as it depends on where the concrete surface is, but laying down a carpet, a rug, or some sort of absorptive material, can significantly reduce the risk of slipping.

These will offer a surface with more grip, so the only challenge is making sure the rug doesn’t move around or slip on the actual concrete. 

  • Apply a sealer that contains grit additives:

If the concrete has already been painted, without the use of grit additives, it doesn’t mean that you simply have to live with the risk of slipping.

You can apply a sealer as a top coating, which can go over most types of paint. Make sure the sealer has grit additives, and you’ll have a nice anti-slip concrete surface!

Can You Paint Concrete To Look Like Wood?

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Can You Paint Concrete To Look Like Wood?

Concrete is a pretty common surface, used in most places, as it is incredibly durable, and is also a solid and smooth surface that works for both indoor and outdoor places. However, it’s not exactly pretty to look at. (It looks quite boring and plain). 

The solution, of course, is to paint it, and you can do so in many different styles or colors or patterns. 

Wooden floors are a lot more visually appealing, so you could also paint your concrete floor to look like it’s wood, even though it obviously isn’t. Truth is, you can paint concrete to look like whatever you want, as long as you have the right paint and tools for the job, and the right skill set to achieve it successfully. 

Painting concrete to look like wood can be challenging, especially if you want it to look as realistic as possible, mirroring the texture of wooden floors. But it’s completely possible, especially if you have the right methods to do so! 

How do you paint concrete to look like wood planks? 

Now that we know it’s completely possible to paint concrete so that it looks like wood planks, mirroring the texture and appearance of wooden floors, but on concrete, the question is: how? 

How can you paint concrete so that it looks like wood, as realistically as possible? It can be quite a challenge to achieve this successfully, but if you have the right tools and you follow the steps of the method as closely as possible, you should be able to do it even if you’re a beginner or amateur painter. Let’s get right into the method! 

What you will need

Before you start, it’s important that you prepare all of the materials and tools that you will need for the job. All of these should be easily found at any general hardware store, or at any paint store, and some you might already have at home, or might be able to borrow from somebody else!

Here is a list of all the materials and tools:

  • Duct tape
  • Aluminum foil 
  • Dish soap 
  • Painter’s tape
  • Concrete primer
  • A paint roller
  • A paintbrush
  • A paint tray
  • Paint 
  • A brush or graining comb
  • Paper towels, or cloth or rag
  • Protective sealer

Step by step guide on how to paint concrete to look like wood planks

Once you have everything you need ready, and you’re prepared to begin the job, it’s time to get started! Here is a simple step-by-step guide with instructions, to get you through the entire process so your concrete floor can end up looking like wood planks. 

  1. The first step is to prep the concrete floor for the paint job. Start by cutting out a large square of aluminum foil, and placing it over the concrete floor, leaving it overnight. In the morning, check for signs of moisture. This is important because the concrete needs to be 100% dry in order for the paint to be applied properly and to avoid any peeling afterward. You also need to thoroughly clean the concrete surface beforehand, But if you wash it, leave it to dry for around 24 hours to ensure that it is completely dry! You might also want to chemically remove any previous coating of paint or sealer beforehand, as the paint will work best when applied to a rough and fresh surface of the concrete. 
  2. Next, use the painter’s tape to tape off any areas you don’t want to paint over. Protect edges and areas you want untouched. 
  3. Once everything is prepared and protected, start by applying a coating of concrete primer. 
  4. After the primer has dried, apply your first layer of paint. As you’re trying to make it look like wood planks, you should paint in vertical strokes, following the same direction, and you should also make sure that you’ve chosen a suitably brown paint color. 
  5. Leave the first layer of paint to dry. 
  6. Next, mix a second color of paint (ideally it should be the same brown, but slightly darker), with some glaze. 
  7. Paint the glaze mixture onto the surface, but make sure to apply it as a thin coating, and do small patches of the surface at a time. 
  8. Before the glaze layer dries, you need to apply the wooden texture. To do this, you can use a special graining tool, which is used specifically for painting faux wood. Run it over the surface, and the teeth of the tool will scrape off pieces of paint in a way that makes it look like wood grain. If you don’t have this tool, you could just use a coarse-bristled brush, and it should provide you with the same textured effect. Make sure you’re not being too tidy or precise with this, as natural wood isn’t perfect looking and the lines on wood planks are never completely straight! (Basically, mistakes are welcome!)
  9. Add some details! You can use the darker brown paint to manually paint on “wooden” details such as small circles and extra lines. This can also help create a better illusion of individual wooden planks. 
  10. Once this layer of paint is completely dry, you can seal the entire surface with a finishing coat, for protection and durability. There are many different types of sealers you can use, and some might add more of a glossy shine than others, so take your pick wisely! 
  11. Once the final coating is dry, your concrete floor should now look like a surface of wood planks! It is recommended that you wait a few days before placing any furniture on top of it, to avoid the risk of scratches. 

Is There a Spray Paint for Concrete?

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You may not find spray paint specifically designed for concrete, but you can definitely use spray paint on concrete.

Pretty much every outdoor rated spray paint can be used on concrete. It doesn’t matter whether you’re spraying concrete walls, floors, or statues.

For best results stick to acrylic paints that have an outdoor rating. Acrylic paints are chemical based paints that have a lot of desirable qualities.

First and foremost, acrylic paints adhere to lots of different surfaces. This is why you’ll notice a lot of acrylic spray paints marketed for general outdoor use. These paints work well on metals, woods, wicker, plastic, and masonry.

The only surface that acrylic spray paint will have difficulty with is surfaces that have previously been painted with oil-based paints.

Another great thing about acrylic paint is that it has quite a lot of elastic capabilities. This means that it can expand and contract with the weather conditions. This is important because concrete, despite its dense appearance, does expand slightly when warm. Because the acrylic can match this movement, the paint is less likely to crack.

If you can’t find acrylic spray paint, all purpose exterior paint will usually suffice. Just make sure it is rated for outdoor use and that it is fully waterproof.

If you don’t want to use spray paint, you can use a concrete stain spray. These are not designed to mimic the appearance of concrete, instead they aim to add color to otherwise dull, drab, concrete flooring.

Concrete stain is harder to come by in spray paint form, but it’s out there. Rust-oleum, for example, has a few different stain sprays.

More often than not, stain is sold as a liquid that can be sprayed onto concrete using a chemical sprayer.

How Long Does Spray Paint Last on Concrete?

If applied properly, spray paint has a similar life span to other paints which is a number of years. It depends on the kind of weather and use the area is exposed to and also how well the paint was applied.

Let’s look at the application first.

Before you apply spray paint to concrete, you need to make sure it is clean, dry, and free from particulates. If you don’t thoroughly clean and dry your concrete before painting, the spray paint won’t be able to adhere to the surface of the concrete. This is because it will end up sticking to the particulates hanging around on the surface.

A power washer is one of the best and easiest ways to clean up your concrete. If it’s particularly dirty or oily, like a garage floor, use some concrete cleaner too.

If the concrete has been previously painted, you will need to remove any loose or flaky paint. Again, this is just to make sure that the new paint goes on smooth and adheres to the concrete.

If you want the concrete to have a smooth and even surface, you should use a primer. This stuff fills pores and creates an even surface for the paint. If you don’t mind the porous concrete look then you can skip the primer step.

You can now apply the spray paint. It might help to do a base coat, especially if you haven’t used primer. A base coat can be in the color you’re going to use for the rest of the wall or a neutral white color.

Make sure to let the paint dry between coats. This will help your paint job last longer as the paint is creating cured and adhered layers. It is particularly important to let the base coat fully dry and cure as this coat is the one that actually has to stick to the concrete.

Once you’ve finished, you can add a clear enamel or gloss coating if you want a shiny look. If you don’t then just leave it as is.

Provided you follow these steps, you can expect to see your paint last 3 – 5 years.

High traffic areas like garage floors or driveways will not last quite as long. If they see lots of action you can find yourself repainting after a year or so.

If you’re painting something that spends a lot of time outdoors like a wall or plant pot, make sure the paint is outdoor rated. This ensures that it is waterproof and has some level of UV protection.

Is There a Spray Paint that Looks Like Concrete?

Yes, there is!

There are lots of spray paints out there that are designed to look like concrete. In fact, you can get spray paints that mimic many different kinds of stone and building materials including terracotta and brick.

There are two different ways of creating a concrete effect.

Some paints use mixed colors to create the depth and dimension that you get with concrete. These paints often contain glitter like particles that reflect light to create highlights and shadowed areas.

Other paints are called textured paints. These often have small sand or silicone particles inside the can. These particles are expelled with the paint and create a bumpy, stone like texture.

Textured paints don’t keep well as the sand has a habit of clogging up the tubes and holes. If you are going to use this paint, it is best to use the whole can in one go.

The other thing you need to be aware of is the fact that you’ll need more textured paint than if you were using non-textured paint. Not only does the sand take up room in the can, therefore reducing the space for paint, but it also doesn’t cover as well as normal paint.

Most people find that they need to buy double the number of textured spray paint cans compared to normal spray paint cans.

As with any other paint, if you’re using it on concrete outside or concrete that gets wet, make sure it’s waterproof and rated for outdoor use.

If you use indoor paint on external concrete, you’ll find that it washes away with the first decent rainstorm. This is obviously not ideal, so try to get it right the first time around.