Seeking comments/advice about the idea of painting the exterior concrete slab walkway which runs between the patio gate and the front entry of the house. Here's a couple of pictures:
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...Photo-0085.jpg
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...Photo-0084.jpg

The walkway is mostly covered, but not completely, by the structure of the house. The concrete slab is not new, it's been there for 20 years probably.

I'd like to spruce up this rather dirty-looking walkway by perhaps painting it, but I understand that sometimes depending on the situation painting exterior concrete doesn't work out too well in the long run. Also would consider concrete stain, if that would be better.

For this project I would appreciate any advice on how to proceed, proper prep, recommended products, etc. with either paint or stain.

 

Concrete like that can indeed be painted or stained. Anytime you are doing a finish on concrete, all of the work is in the prep. The concrete must be immaculately clean and etched. Every time a concrete finish job fails, or looks bad, it is due to to inadequate surface prep. I can't stress that enough

Step 1: Power wash
Step 2: Concrete prep cleaner / degreaser
-just follow the directions, scrub-scrub-scrub
Step 3: Power wash rinse
Step 4: Acid Etch
-the easiest stuff is the premixed concrete etch solution.
Step 5 : Power wash rinse (really, really good!)

After the prep you could use either a solid color concrete stain, or some type of exterior concrete paint. If you go the paint route, I don't recommend a single component product. Epoxies are much, much better. The best concrete stain in my opinion is H&C waterborne solid color. you can get that (and everything else) at Sherwin Williams.

 

If I chose to go the paint route, instead of stain, do I need to worry about the possibility of any ground moisture infilitrating up through the slab which could cause potential problems with the paint "spalling" or whatever, or, if I chose to use epoxy paint of it not adhering well or some other problem? Because the slab is exterior I worry that the paint may not bond as well or otherwise not be as durable as would be interior. Or is that not much of a concern?

 

generally, i don't worry too much about moisture coming up through the slab in exterior concrete like i do with interiors. durability on exterior largely depends on the coating you are using as well as environmental concerns (temperature, moisture, snow/ice etc). Again, doing the full spectrum of prep work is key. one advantage of solid color stains like H&C is that they generally don't have issues with peeling or flaking, but do generally wear and fade over time. As solid stain ages it can be cleaned and re-coated without completely stripping the concrete. prep, prep, prep

 

Great. Thanks K-skater for setting me off in the right direction. Is there any prep work that may be involved, or should I not worry about that?

Just kidding!!
Thanks again for your helpful reply(s). Proper preparation I understand cannot be overlooked as the important key to success for this project.

 

good luck with your project. i've done quite a few concrete finishes, so any other questions feel free to askBeer 4U2