Concrete is practical, resistant and has been used in the construction of buildings since the early Roman times. However, without a protective or decorative coating, most concrete patios, driveways, walkways, and garage floors are unattractive. In fact, they are most likely stained, drab, dull, possibly even ugly.
Today, many homeowners and DIYers are discovering, through the use of concrete coatings from Top Secret Coatings, that those cool gray outdoor slabs can take on a unique and elegant look that not only reflects the individual tastes of homeowners, but are also non-slip and add color. and texture to a new or old house.
A porch or patio can be one of the most useful outdoor areas of your home if it is covered with an attractive layer of concrete, cleaned of all excess debris, and a little thought given to the design of the area. Unfortunately, these spaces are all too often covered with soft concrete which, as well as looking rather dull and dingy, may have developed cracks or become stained with moss, grease, oil, etc. over time. Restoring those areas to a place you’d be proud to use for entertaining, outdoor dining, or just relaxing can seem like a lot of work. If the concrete is badly cracked and the surface is uneven, there is usually no other option but to tear it up and re-place it. Here are some thoughts to consider before moving forward with your plans to apply concrete linings.
1. If your floor is inside the house, do some checking before you decide to tile your floor. Is the concrete wet? Is there standing water? (If so, then you have a bigger problem than an ugly floor!) Let the concrete dry completely before painting (this can take a while during wet seasons!)
2. Thoroughly clean the concrete with TS 695 Rynolite Etching Cleaner. If there is grease on the floor you will want to remove it before painting or the paint may not adhere. To remove grease, lay down cat litter to absorb most of the oil, then rub again with TS 695 Rynolite Etching Cleaner. Rinse well and wait until the floor is completely dry.
3. Sand away any loose or peeling paint or other debris with a sander or 80-grit sandpaper. Vacuum or sweep up debris. Then wipe the floor with a tack cloth (tack cloth available at any hardware or home improvement store).
4. Use a paintable cement filler to repair cracks and holes and allow to dry completely before proceeding.
5.Now to start the painting process. You will need to brush the edges and roll the rest of the floor surface. Allow each coat to dry 12-24 hours before recoating. Repeat the process with the second or third layer as indicated.
You have now applied Top Secret quality concrete coatings that are beautiful, colorful and durable!