Painting a Concrete Porch

The look and feel of a concrete porch can often be improved by simply applying a coat of paint. In order to properly paint a concrete porch or any other form of concrete, there are some important steps you must take.

Step 1 – Remove Debris

Use a shop vacuum or a broom to sweep up loose dirt and debris from the porch. This is important because failing to do this can lead to objects flying which could cause potential damage when pressure washing.

Step 2 – Pressure Wash

Use the pressure washer set at 3000 PSI to carefully pressure wash the entire patio. Pay special attention to anywhere which appears to have stains.

Step 3 – Clean Porch

Use a concrete cleaning chemical or standard detergent and a stiff bristle broom or a scrub brush to thoroughly scrub the porch off. If you notice any stains, especially stains which may be oil, scrub these thoroughly until the stain appears to be coming up.

Step 4- Pressure Wash

Use the pressure washer set at 3000 PSI to thoroughly clean the cleaning chemicals from the deck.

Step 5 – Use Muriatic Acid

Inspect the concrete thoroughly. If it appears to be well cleaned then this step is not necessary. If you notice any areas which still appear to be stained then use muriatic acid to clean the concrete one more time. The muriatic acid will need to be scrubbed in. While working with the muriatic acid it is important to wear goggles, a breathing mask, heavy rubber gloves and protective clothing to prevent injury. If this step was performed you will need to use the pressure washer one final time to remove the muriatic acid completely from the deck.

Step 6 – Allow to Dry

Allow the patio to dry completely. The length of time necessary will vary somewhat depending on the climate but typically it should take around 24 hours.

Step 7 – Apply a Sealant

Pour some concrete sealant into a paint roller pan. Use a roller to roll the sealant out over the entire area of concrete. Use back and forth motions over the entire deck until it is complete. Remember that a thin layer of sealant is better because it will prevent bubbling. Allow the sealant to dry completely.

Step 8 – Apply Paint

Pour some concrete paint into a roller pan and use your roller to apply paint to the patio. Do not try to finish the job in one coat. It will almost always be necessary to apply 2 to 3 coats of paint. Let the paint dry for 2 to 4 hours between each coat. Use a smooth back and forth motion while applying the paint. Use your paint brush to trim around the edges that are against walls.

Step 9 – Apply a Second Coat of Sealant

Use the same roller you used previously to apply the first layer of sealant to apply a second coat of sealant over the paint. This will help to prevent water from seeping in through the paint. It will also reduce sun damage to the paint. Allow the patio to dry for at least 24 hours before walking on it.