Garages and basements often have painted cement floors rather than wood or carpet. A painted cement floor requires little maintenance if kept clean and free from pooling water. Occasionally they do have to be repainted. Unlike floors that are made of wood or tile, cement floors don’t require a lot of preparation for painting. Painting a cement floor is an easy DIY project.

Usually epoxy paint is used for painting cement floors. The first coat takes a lot of paint but subsequent coats do not require as much. When painting with epoxy concrete floor paint always keep the area well vented and wear appropriate safety equipment. For basements epoxy paint or enamel concrete floor paint may be used. The following painting tips are offered for painting cement floors.

Material required:

· Trash bags to test the floor moisture and to dispose of trash.

· Masking tape and or painter’s tape

· Paint brush or applicator

· Vacuum cleaner

· Paint (approximately one gallon for each 600 square feet of surface to be painted) If you are using epoxy paint keep in mind that the paint comes in two parts that requires mixing before applying. The two parts combined make two gallons of paint.

· Paint cleaner to clean brushes and applicator

· Safety equipment

· Cement sealer to apply after the paint drys.

How to do it:

1. Determine if the cement surface is completely dry by taping a plastic garbage bag on the cement floor. Us masking tape to tape it completely around the edges. Check the floor after approximately 24 hours for dampness. If the floor is damp it can’t be painted until the moisture has been eliminated.

2. Clean the cement floor thoroughly. Use a broom and vacuum to pick up all the dirt and debris. Scrub the floor with warm water and a sponge. Allow the floor to dry completely.

3. Apply tape to the bottom of the wall all around the room.

4. Prepare the paint. Paint your floor with a paint that's recommended for concrete. If you are using epoxy paint mix it thoroughly when you are ready to apply it, not in advance. Do not mix more than what you can apply in one hour as epoxy paint set and dry time is very short.

5. Paint the edges of the floor first with a paintbrush. Paint the remainder of the floor with a paint roller or applicator. Paint with pressure on the applicator to help the paint seep into the concrete.

6. Apply another coat of paint after the first one has dried. Apply a third coat after the second one has dried. If you are using epoxy paint a second coat may not be necessary as long as you have the floor thoroughly covered. Allow the floor to completely dry before walking on it.

7. Apply a water based cement sealant to your cement floor. A sealer is not necessary if you used epoxy paint. Allow the floor to dry between each application of sealer.

That is all there is to it.

See Cleaning Painted Cement