Which concrete porch floor paint?

[amazingflapjack]

Hi Guys-I am getting ready to re-paint my 2 concrete porch floors, and I am seeking direction on which products to use. I have looked a Behr, Glidden, and Valspar, but I am open to all suggestions. Thanks for your input. Flapjack.

 

[rwsmith]

I was thinking....

A slip proof epoxy paint like they use on pool decks would work and be durable.

 

[Florida J Frame]

Rust Oleum makes an epoxy garage floor paint that holds up well

 

[Kinman]

I can't remember for sure but I think we had that two part epoxy made by Rustoleum put on my wife's garage floor. I call it her garage because she decided to have it all prettied up since it adjoins her home office and her customers usually enter through the garage...its very pretty, painted walls with pictures hung, curtains, and of course the light blue epoxy paint that has little speckles of white, black and dark blue scattered over the top. It was done professionally by the same guys that re-did the drywall and painted the walls, all I do is clean the floor up after the usual winter mess. Its been on the floor now for three winters and has held up very well, there are only a very few places near cracks where the paint has lifted slightly. I would say that everything is in the preparation as with most painting and that if you are going to use any water in the cleaning stage that it should be allowed to dry for a couple of days before applying the paint. I also used a two part epoxy on part of the flooring at our cabin in Canada...it was in a partial state of deterioration due to dogs using the area to relieve themselves while my wife's uncle was very ill...nothing could get rid of the smell, I tried bleach, the chemicals they sell at the pet store, everything until someone recommended using a primer called KILLS, very expensive at the time at nearly 30 bucks a gallon 15 years ago or so but that stuff worked miracles. I applied the KILLS to the worst part very heavy and lightly over the rest of the one floor in question, then allowed a couple of days for that to dry, then applied the two part epoxy with also was not cheap but if applied correctly will self level beautifully and deliver a very nice shine which was very slippery when wet as I found out later when coming into the room soaked from flipping my sailboat. Preparation is the key....

 

[Bkreutz]

I used this stuff when I built my shop a few years ago Epoxy Paint For Garage Floors ? Epoxy-Coat.com

As has been said, the preparation is the key. You can add the plastic flakes for a little better wet weather traction, or you can spread sand on it (while it's still wet) for an area that will get wet a lot. Epoxy floors without some kind of "traction enhancer" are very slippery when wet. I've added a picture of when the floor wasn't covered with junk like it is now.

 

[shouldazagged]

"Yeah, mister, I finished paintin' it, but that ain't a porch. It's a Rolls."

OLD joke.

 

[sheepdawg]

Make sure your epoxy floor paint says for exterior use. Most epoxies fade and chalk in direct sunlight. Spare no effort in getting the floor clean if using an epoxy, some want you to etch the floor with muratic acid, some don't but your prep work is the most important thing. Get it clean enough to eat off of.

If using a regular alkyd floor paint cleanliness is not as important. Just make sure to remove all the peeling spots with a putty knife and sandpaper. Sweep it good before applying the paint. If you have gotten to the bare substrate take some floor paint and thin it with paint thinner or a product called Penetrol. Use this to spot prime those spots. Apply the full coat of floor paint full strength or maybe with a touch of Penetrol in it.

With a latex floor paint again your surface needs to be clean, real clean. Spot prime the bare spots with it full strength. and then when it dries the final coat again full strength.

Which to use? Well you'll spend the most money and do the most work with the epoxies so unless you know there's a vapor barrier underneath what's to be painted I would avoid these. The moisture coming through the substrate will pop epoxy almost as fast as the alkyd floor paint.

I'm old school so I paint my porch with the alkyd, but it's always in the shade. I have no vapor barrier and just got through redoing mine after three years, a very cold winter ate the previous paint job up.If what your painting is in direct sunlight you might opt for a latex, they hold their color much better in the sun and they've come a long ways in the last ten years.

I would avoid any of the three brands you mentioned. Go to a local paint store where painters buy paint, not one of the big boxes. You can usually find someone in these that knows a hell of a lot more than the part time Home Depot guy.

Yes I'm biased when it comes to where you buy it, I'm the district manager for a regional paint manufacturer, Farrell Calhoun. I've been with this fine company for almost 30 years, we have 37 stores throughout the mid south. None unfortunately in Florida.

 

[boatme99]

I think any good quality paint will do, the preparation though is critical.
No moisture, grease, oil, dirt, anything left on the surface prior to painting.
For a cheap, easy non skid, simply buy fine grained playground sand, spread while painting the first coat, then apply second coat when first coat is cured.
This is how it's done on boats. It's easy and durable.

 

[Maddog 521]

Don't know anything about those paints. Have you ever seen concrete that has been stained? It's rather unique.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Thanks for the posts-both porches are under roof, and have been painted with the typical latex paint offered for concrete floors, and it has worked well for us. I just wanted to see if there was any preference among the members before I buy paint. It will typically be several years before I do this again, and I want the best stuff! Thanks for any additional responses.

 

[Squarebutt]

First place I would check is a Sherwin-Williams dealer if there's one nearby. Their industrial coating guys really know their stuff. Be sure to mention the existing latex, as not all coatings are compatible. If you do choose a two-part epoxy or urethane, try to get it out of the mixing bucket and spread out quickly. They create their own heat and go off very quickly, especially in warm weather. (I've seen epoxy catch fire.) Good luck.

 

[sheepdawg]

If you go that route make sure it's a Sherwin Williams industrial store, not their retail locations. They are full of part timers and high school kids and will nail you on the price.

 

[JcMack]

I'd mix some sand in with the paint. The stuff is slick as snot when wet. My basement floor was painted with something similar when I moved here. Condensation dripped off the pipes onto the floor and I fell on my big butt.

 

[Rule3]

Pick the paint that your Wife prefers to apply.

If it is previously painted then you need to stay with paint and not a stain. I always liked Behr products.

As mentioned above surface prep is more important than anything. If it is not prepped correctly, the best paint in the world will not work well.

Clean, pressure wash if you can, chemical etch, primer etc.

 

[The Big D]

Not at home now but will check and supply the brand name tomorrow. However, the key to painting anything concrete is surface preparation. The paint I used was proceeded by an acid wash of the concrete. No worries; it's very mild and didn't harm anything...including me. My porch was painted six (6) years ago and has held up beautifully.

If you need to get started immediately, the products I used came from Lowe's.

Have fun.

 

[Rule3]

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