Boring Topic of the Day: Has anyone painted an interior concrete floor before?

[Ozwin]

Decorating our hallway and we've decided to potentially paint the concrete floor under the pre-existing carpet. Not entirely sure how to do this exactly though, I've read things about sealers and interior/exterior paints and I don't really know what I'm doing as this manual labour lark isn't my bag so was hoping for some assistance. It's just a red concrete floor, we've pulled the carpet up and it's not very nice looking at all so some sort of light grey colour would be preferable to go with the walls.

 

How would I go about doing this? What would be the best paint/brands to use? Any help from our resident handymen would be very much appreciated!

 

Thanks!

[Webbo]

Decorating our hallway and we've decided to potentially paint the concrete floor under the pre-existing carpet. Not entirely sure how to do this exactly though, I've read things about sealers and interior/exterior paints and I don't really know what I'm doing as this manual labour lark isn't my bag so was hoping for some assistance. It's just a red concrete floor, we've pulled the carpet up and it's not very nice looking at all so some sort of light grey colour would be preferable to go with the walls.

 

How would I go about doing this? What would be the best paint/brands to use? Any help from our resident handymen would be very much appreciated!

 

Thanks!

What are you painting it for? Are you planning to see the floor or are you sealing it to put a carpet on afterwards?

 

Actually just read it again. Unless it's really heavy traffic area you can use 2 coats of ordinary garage floor paint. Dulux make a version but there are others. Go to a decorators' merchants and ask them what brands they sell.

[Ozwin]

It's going to be visible yeah, but we'll put a rug down on top.

[MPH]

Paint some boobs on it. Your friends will think its great walking on boobs.

[Webbo]

It's going to be visible yeah, but we'll put a rug down on top.

Yeah, my bad, I've edited above. There's a limited range of colours but they do do a grey.

[Ozwin]

Do they all provide the glossy, warehouse like finish like this?

 

 

Or is there extra that needs to be done for that sort of finish?

[Webbo]

Do they all provide the glossy, warehouse like finish like this?

 

 

Or is there extra that needs to be done for that sort of finish?

Factory floors usually use specialist  2 pack paints as they're more chemically resistant, harder wearing. They're a lot more expensive too. Ordinary floor paints are more of a satin finish.

[Len Finsbury]

I think @@Webbo is the expert but I've only ever painted a concrete in the garage. It was suggested to me that I first use a sealant and then workshop floor paint. The stuff I used was red and while it had a bit of a shine to it, I wouldn't go so far as to say it was glossy.

 

It was a while ago that I did it but as I'm a lazy bastard, I think I used either a roller or a brush on a stick to save me having to bend down.

[Great Boos Up]

Can I watch it dry?

[promised land]

When we used to do shuttering for machine bases in places like caterpillar, Rolls Royce etc, to seal the floors we used this product.

http://www.empire-essentials.com/feb/flooring-screeds-and-sealers.html

The clear stuff to seal the floor and stop the dust, as with concrete unsealed you will always get dust and it's not good to breathe it in.

It doesn't look like it's cheap but other brands must be out there.

[Webbo]

I think @@Webbo is the expert but I've only ever painted a concrete in the garage. It was suggested to me that I first use a sealant and then workshop floor paint. The stuff I used was red and while it had a bit of a shine to it, I wouldn't go so far as to say it was glossy.

 

It was a while ago that I did it but as I'm a lazy bastard, I think I used either a roller or a brush on a stick to save me having to bend down.

Thin down the first coat, probably about 30% white spirit, that'll seal the floor.

[Ozwin]

So seal it and then paint it? That's it right?

 

Thought it'd be a right mission! Thankfully the concrete floor is quite smooth and doesn't appear to need any sort of attention minus sanding off a bit of glue residue that I presume is from tiles from years back. 

[Webbo]

So seal it and then paint it? That's it right?

 

Thought it'd be a right mission! Thankfully the concrete floor is quite smooth and doesn't appear to need any sort of attention minus sanding off a bit of glue residue that I presume is from tiles from years back. 

Just thin down the first coat of the floor paint and then the next day a coat of the unthinned(if you've got a little bit of the thinned left just stir it in, it won't hurt) if it's just light traffic it should last you 5 or 10 years.

 

I don't know how big your floor is but this type of paint usually covers around 15 square metres per litre. 

 

PS make sure the floor is clean and dry before you start.

[Ozwin]

Cheers Webbo, saved me a lot of time and effort.

 

Looking at this: http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-trade-floor-paint-grey-2-5ltr/74591

 

Just to clarify when you say thin it you mean 30% white spirit 70% floor paint right? 

[Webbo]

Cheers Webbo, saved me a lot of time and effort.

 

Looking at this: http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-trade-floor-paint-grey-2-5ltr/74591

 

Just to clarify when you say thin it you mean 30% white spirit 70% floor paint right? 

Yes, I've never used that brand, just check it's solvent based, it'll tell you on the back of the tin, before you thin it. It might be water based (but probably not) so you'd thin it with water.

[Ozwin]

Top man. 

[stripeyfox]

Do they all provide the glossy, warehouse like finish like this?

 

 

Or is there extra that needs to be done for that sort of finish?

 

 

Your hall is massive!

 

Could do with a bit of colour though....

[Great Boos Up]

Drying it is a bitch! I did similar and cocked it up. Make sure you plan the start and finish exit point. Thoroughly clean the rooms as it will gather every piece of dust or leaf or bug. Before you do the first bit lock the nearest door and make sure the last bit is a no go area. Ventilate any space you can upstairs without disturbing the hallway. From experience a hallway is very hard to keep clear from people, insects and even letter box post for 24 hours, hence you will want to watch it dry!

Good luck.

[DJ Barry Hammond]

No

[Vlad the Fox]

Drying it is a bitch! I did similar and cocked it up. Make sure you plan the start and finish exit point. Thoroughly clean the rooms as it will gather every piece of dust or leaf or bug. Before you do the first bit lock the nearest door and make sure the last bit is a no go area. Ventilate any space you can upstairs without disturbing the hallway. From experience a hallway is very hard to keep clear from people, insects and even letter box post for 24 hours, hence you will want to watch it dry!

Good luck.

Exit point=front door=pub until it's dry.

I painted a factory floor years back and the fumes got to me, passed out in the pub that evening as my mate was handing me my drink. Thankfully he had the sense to hold the drink and let me go, meaning I had refreshments waiting when I came round. Everyone looked at me as though I was off my tits mind.

[Countryfox]

I wouldn't bother if I was you .... I tend to leave mine unpainted in case I need to bury another ex wife under it.

Just put something smelly on top to keep the dog from sniffing about and scratching at it.

[johnny the fox]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFDHl44FEQQ  Brandy knows best...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cifyDkUT1q4   stencils look good ...