How do I prep and paint floor?

[rdefino]

I tried paiting my floor with a garge floor paint and it didn't take, it pealed up. Maybe I didn't prep it right. How can I prep it again, then paint and seal it. Any info would be great.

Thanks
Ron

[Accumulator]

Well, first you pick up the phone and then you call a professional painter... Sorry, just kidding, but that *is* what I did...

rdefino- Welcome to Autopial.

Getting paint to stick to older floors is incredibly difficult. I've only known one person who did it successfully. After having tried it myself at some garages I've had, I decided that whatever it cost to have it done professionally would be money well spent. The pros who did the existing concrete floors at my place did what appeared to be a very thorough job, yet I still had places where it didn't stick But they still did better that I would have done.

Besides degreasing and washing with the right cleaners ("TSP" mixed with bleach comes to mind), you have to acid-etch the concrete using Muriatic (hydrochloric) acid. If you didn't do the acid etching, that's your main problem. Of course the whole idea of treating a floor with a potent acid and then getting the stuff *off* the floor is rather daunting, huh?

My apologies if you *did* acid etch the floor, but that's what most peole fail t do and so it comes immediately to mind. When pros have as much trouble with this as I've seen, you know it's not an easy job.

[JBM]

Be careful with the muriatic acid.

If you dont dilute it, it will eat the finish off of the concrete leaving like a pock mark look.

It is very strong stuff, and in a garage, you should probably wear something on your mouth and eyes. Eyes anywhere you use it actually.

Common sense as a masonry contractor tells me that the reason paint wouldnt stick to concrete well is due to the moisture being held in the concrete.

So, if you wash the floor to prep it for paint, it will be holding alot of water, even thoug it looks dry.

[Accumulator]

JBM- Between the stuff you have to use and the procedures you have to follow, it sure isn't a simple job, huh?

You're right about the need for the floor to dry. This isn't something that can be rushed and weather conditions can play a huge role too.

[zippymbr]

prep depends on the condition of the floor. a "good" pro could tell you what to do, or you could goto a real paint store. Not HD or Lowes. I would usually acid and pressure wash, wait a day to two to let dry and then test a section to see what hapens. It is a good idea to do the dropper test to see of the floor has already been sealed. Take a dropper and drop a few drops onto the floor. If they soak riight in chances are that the floor has no sealer on it. Acid washes are used when an old sealer is present. A powerwash with a good degreaser/cleaner as the next step. Take your time, and buy top of the line stuff, or you willl get to know the meaning of HOT TIRE.