following question may have crossed your mind: can you paint a concrete patio?
The short answer is yes. For optimum results, the patio surface should be prepared correctly before painting. This preparation involves cleaning, etching, and priming the surface.
Read on to learn more about how you can paint a concrete patio, as well as how you can do away with unwanted paint on your patio’s surface.
How to Paint a Concrete Patio
If you decide to take a DIY approach to paint your concrete patio, these are the steps you’ll need to go through:
1 – Prepare the Surface to Be Painted
The first order of business is to prepare the area you’re painting. This step involves moving anything that may get in your way. You should move objects like flower pots, patio furniture, or your kids’ toys to another location.
If you have any ornaments or houseplants that are fixed in place, make sure to cover them up with a tarp to shelter them from the paint you’re about to use all over your patio floor.
Now that the area is clear, start scrubbing the surface to be painted. Make sure to scrub thoroughly to ensure that there’s no residual oil or grease to ruin your paint job.
Your best bet if you want to do this right is to buy or rent a pressure washer that can remove even the toughest stains. If this is out of your budget, you can also make do with a scrubbing brush and detergent.
Additionally, you’ll want to address any irregularities on your patio surface. This involves ensuring they’re fully clean and filling them with a concrete patch or filler.
2 – Etch and Clean the Surface
The next step is to etch the surface you’re going to paint. The purpose is to ensure maximum adherence between the paint and the surface. In turn, that’ll boost the longevity of your paint job.
There’s a variety of chemicals that are suitable for etching. You can use phosphoric, hydrochloric, or sulphamic acid.
Make sure to clean the area thoroughly after the etching is complete. Also, give it enough time to dry before you proceed to the next step. A day or two should be sufficient.
3 – Apply Primer
Your concrete patio isn’t ready for painting just yet. There’s still one more thing you need to do.
You should apply a primer to allow for the best paint adherence on your patio. We recommend using half a gallon of primer for every 100-125 square feet.
4 – Start Painting
Now that you’ve gotten your patio surface ready for a brand-new paint job, let’s get to it!
There first thing you’ll need to consider is the type of paint you’ll use. Regular paint won’t cut it when used on an outdoor concrete surface. We’ll outline the best types of paint to use for a concrete patio in the coming section.
That point aside, here’s how to paint your concrete patio:
- First, grab a long-handled paintbrush so that you don’t have to bend over when painting.
- Start at the furthest corner of your patio from the door.
- Using even brush strokes, start moving outwards. Make sure to have a clear strategy so you don’t get stuck in a corner. You don’t want to walk on your fresh paint.
- Now that you’ve given your patio a full coat of fresh paint, allow it to dry completely without interference.
- Finally, repeat the previous steps to add additional coats of paint. This works better than applying one thick coat and it makes your paint job last longer.
What Is the Best Concrete Patio Paint?
To ensure that you get the best results when painting your concrete patio, you should choose the paint to use wisely.
Masonry paint and epoxy-based paint are among your best options.
The former is actually designed for brick surfaces, but it also works well on concrete.
The latter is a popular choice due to its durability and stain resistance. Your outdoor patio will constantly be exposed to the elements. Therefore, these are features you want the paint to have.
Some people opt for concrete stains rather than paint. The difference is that stains penetrate the concrete surface. In turn, it gives richer and deeper tones. Another pro of stains is that they’re long-lasting and won’t peel easily.
On the other hand, concrete paint gives more consistent aesthetic results but is more prone to chipping away over time.
Can I Use Masonry Paint on a Concrete Patio?
Elastomeric wall coating, commonly known as masonry paint, is a viable option for painting concrete. In fact, it’s some people’s preferred choice.
This is because it contains components that allow it to expand and contract with the concrete as the weather changes. Regular exterior house paint doesn’t have this feature, which is why it tends to crack.
Nonetheless, you’ll still need to apply multiple coats of masonry paint. Make sure to allow each coat to dry for at least 24 hours before applying the next one.
It’s worth noting that some people have had less than optimal experiences with masonry paint for painting patios. This is because this type of paint isn’t designed to be walked on.
How Much Does it Cost to Paint a Concrete Patio?
Painting your concrete patio is a great way to give it a facelift and enhance your home’s aesthetic. However, it doesn’t come cheap. On average, painting a concrete patio will cost around $3 to $6 per square foot.
The exact cost will depend on the type of paint you use.
Can You Get Paint Off of a Concrete Patio?
There are several reasons why you may want to remove paint from your concrete patio.
Perhaps there’s paint residue from an old paint job that you need to get off before you apply a fresh coat. Another case is if you’ve started a paint job but realized midway through that you’re dissatisfied with the color.
Luckily, there are several methods you can use to get paint off your concrete patio:
Using a Pressure Washer
A pressure washer is your first option when trying to get paint off your concrete patio. The high water pressure these devices produce is sufficient to get those stubborn paint stains out. However, you’ll need a washer that applies a pressure of at least 3,000 PSI.
This pressure can be destructive, so make sure that there isn’t anything that can be damaged in the vicinity. When dealing with multiple coats of paint to be removed, we advise using a pressure washer equipped with a water heater.
Using Paint Strippers
Another way to remove paint from a concrete patio is to use paint strippers. These are chemicals made for getting paint off wood. However, they also work just fine with concrete surfaces.
The key consideration when deciding on the specific paint stripper is ensuring that it’s designed for the type of paint you’re dealing with. For example, if the paint you want to get rid of is oil-based, buy a paint stripper that specifies this type of paint on the package.
Despite what their name may suggest, these chemicals don’t contain hazardous components and are fully biodegradable. This feature makes them an environmentally-friendly option.
Here’s how to use a paint stripper:
Apply the stripper with a brush to your patio surface and let it settle until it’s fully soaked into the paint. Depending on the paint type, this can take as little as five hours and up to a day. The duration also depends on the quality of the stripper used.
After this time has passed, you’ll start noticing that the paint has become wrinkled. This is the time to scrape it off or scrub it off with a wire brush.
The downside to using paint strippers is that they make a mess that’s a hassle to dispose of after you’re done.
Using Baking Soda
If using a pressure washer or paint strippers doesn’t appeal to you, a third option is baking soda.
This process involves using industrial-grade baking soda and applying it to your patio using a high-pressure soda blaster.
You can easily rent one of these machines. However, they can be dangerous when not used correctly. Therefore, we advise hiring a professional if you decide on this method.
If you do decide to take matters into your own hands, you should make sure to have the necessary safety gear on. You also shouldn’t have any plants in the vicinity since the alkaline baking soda can harm them.
Final Thoughts
If you’re wondering if you can paint a concrete patio, the answer is that you definitely can.
However, you should make sure to prepare the patio the right way if you want to end up with a paint job that’ll last a long time.
Try out the tips outlined in this guide, and you’ll be admiring your freshly painted concrete patio in no time.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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