- 1). Thoroughly clean the object. Dust the object with a cloth or brush to remove all dust and debris. If there are stains or dirt embedded in the concrete. use soap, warm water, and a scrub brush. If the concrete is a large outdoor object such as patio furniture, use a garden hose to clean it. Once it is cleaned, it needs to be completely dry before paint is applied. Any moisture trapped in the concrete will eventually cause the paint to peel.
- 2). Apply one coat of primer/sealer to the object. Paint does not adhere very well to bare concrete. It will flake and peel very quickly. A good quality primer/sealer seals the surface and allows the paint to make a sold bond with the surface. Primer lessens the concrete porousness and prevents moisture problems. The application of the primer depends on the size and shape of the object. If it is a large object, use a roller to apply as primer. Use a paintbrush for areas the roller won't reach.
- 3). Select the paint. There are paints made specifically for concrete. In addition to epoxy, there are silacote and DecKote. Silacote produces a chemical reaction that causes the paint to bond to the surface. It doesn't require a primer coat and is typically used on new, unpainted surfaces. DecKote is highly durable and resistant to abrasions, and is typically used on basement floors. It does require a primer coat. Another option is a high quality acrylic latex paint. If the concrete object is more of an art piece and something that is not going to be walked on or experience a lot of abuse, this may be the best choice. There a much larger color selection to choose from, and latex paint is much easier to work with. Acrylic latex is made for both indoor and outdoor objects. The downside is that the object may have to be touched up every couple of years.
- 4). Paint the object. The best tools for the applying the paint depend on the shape and size of the object as well as the design and color scheme you have in mind. New paint jobs always look better with two coats rather than one. If you are painting a multicolor scheme, consider painting the object with one solid color for the first coat. Allow the first coat to dry completely. For the second coat use blue painter's tape to separate the edges between the different colors. Work on one area or color at a time. Paint the area and allow it to dry. Remove the tape and complete the other side.
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