Concrete Floor Questions

[Suzie-Q]

I've ripped up all the carpet, padding and tack strips in a room that has a concrete floor. Now I want to paint the floor somehow.

Should I paint and then seal the concrete? Or should I seal the concrete before I paint?

Is there some sort of primer that will keep any stains from coming through? Or is that what the sealer's for?

Do I use floor paint, or should I use concrete paint?

Is there anything else I need to consider?

(Holes will be patched with an appropriate product before any painting is done.)

Thanks in advance,

[Joseph Meehan]

Is this floor above or below grade? Is there any existing or past moisture problem?

[MC]

Depends on if you intend to recover with something again and just want to seal the concrete or want the painted floor to show. If the latter you could do a concrete stain a seal or use an epoxy paint. Either will give good wear. Another is to acid stain and seal, This can give a textured look like stone if done well.

[Suzie-Q]

-> Suzie-Q wrote:

-> > I've ripped up all the carpet, padding and tack strips in a room

-> > that has a concrete floor. Now I want to paint the floor somehow.

-> Is this floor above or below grade?

How do I tell?

-> Is there any existing or past moisture problem?

No moisture problems.

[Suzie-Q]

-> Depends on if you intend to recover with something again and just want to

-> seal the concrete or want the painted floor to show. If the latter you could

-> do a concrete stain a seal or use an epoxy paint. Either will give good

-> wear. Another is to acid stain and seal, This can give a textured look like

-> stone if done well.

I want the paint to show through. I'll put an area rug in the center of the room. The paint will show around the edges.

[DanG]

Read MC's answer.

Epoxy if you are going to paint. I would discourage any other type of floor paint.

Concrete acid based stain for stunning effect.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Keep the whole world singing . . . . DanG (remove the sevens) [e-mail]

[Joseph Meehan]

I suggest a good real epoxy type garage floor paint. That stuff is really durable and will not need any kind of sealer or additional layer.