How to Prep Concrete Floors for Paint: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re wondering how to prep a concrete floor for paint, you’ve come to the right place! Prepping concrete for paint is an essential step in the process. Painted concrete floors could be cheaper than installing a different type of flooring over top of the concrete. Painted concrete floors and concrete floor coatings are often very aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-maintain options.

When done properly, painted concrete floors can bring new life to old, worn-out floors and bland environments. Preparing concrete floors for painting is vital for achieving an even, beautiful result. It’s important to note that any imperfections in the concrete can possibly be seen through the paint or coating you choose. For this reason, rectifying any impurities before beginning the painting or coating process is a good idea.

Preparing concrete for paint requires various tools and materials. Luckily, Niagara is your one-stop shop for all contractor necessities! Properly prepping the concrete floor is very important to ensure the paint or coating adheres properly to the floor. Thoroughly sweep the floor of any dirt and debris. If you are working in a large facility, check out one of our ride-on floor sweepers, like the Manta RS-34. You could also vacuum the area with an industrial dust collector, the DiamaPro Systems SVX Series Vacuums work very well. An SVX vac with the walk-behind floor attachment drastically cuts down clean-up time on large job sites. If your concrete floor has stains or grease, use a heavy-duty detergent like Oil & Grease Stain Remover or Cleaner/Degreaser to help remove grease and stains from the floor before painting.

Be sure to remove any old paint or coatings before applying new paint to get the best results. Scrape off anything loose or sticky with a flat scraper. If you are working in a large area, Niagara Machine has a large selection of ride-on or walk-behind concrete floor scrapers.

Patching cracks and holes in concrete floors before painting is an important step. To achieve a smooth surface that is ready for paint or another concrete coating, fill any cracks, holes, or other surface defects. Diama-Joint fill with Microban antimicrobial technology is a great choice. Diama-Joint Fill Plus helps prevent the growth of mold and bacteria in cracks and control joints. Diama-Joint Fill with Microban Technology also supports the shoulders of joints and cracks to minimize further edge spalling.

At this point, the floor can be prepped with an industrial floor grinder if necessary. Niagara Machine has an extensive selection of concrete floor grinders from several manufacturers including Lavina, DiamaPro Systems and Terrco. We have Propane and Electric floor grinders and walk-behind, ride-on, and remote-controlled models. We also have hand grinders and edger models for corners and hard-to-reach places.

If you’re prepping interior concrete but don’t want to paint it, the next step is to apply a concrete sealer or another coating of choice to keep excess moisture out and ensure that the whole area is sealed. Niagara Machine has a great selection of concrete coatings, including specialty concrete coatings with Microban Antimicrobial Technology, to ensure the quality and integrity of your floor.

Niagara Machine has of all the supplies you need for a perfect painted concrete floor or concrete floor coating. Taking the extra time on the prep work will result in the beautiful, even floor coatings you see in magazines. Need advice on what products to use to prepare your concrete for painting and start your next project? We’re happy to help you select the right supplies, contact an experienced Niagara customer service representative or your local sales rep for more information or guidance on product selection! 800-622-2048