How To Paint And Waterproof A Concrete Patio

In recent years, concrete patios have been making a big comeback. More contractors are now building slab houses. With this type of construction, elevated decks aren't an option unless the lot has an extreme downward slope. This makes a concrete patio a natural choice.

Even on homes built with a traditional crawlspace, concrete patios offer many advantages over decks built from wood, vinyl, or composite materials. Their service life is longer by eons. They require much less maintenance and are less prone to damage. 

A concrete patio can be built into almost any available space, regardless of its shape, and concrete is more environmentally friendly over its lifespan than other materials. 

To take full advantage of the benefits that a concrete patio offers, use the best paint for concrete patios and ensure a durable and waterproof outdoor space.

Why Paint a Concrete Patio?

There are many reasons to waterproof a concrete patio with quality concrete paint. Whether your deck is old or new, waterproofing with Liquid Rubber Polyurethane Deck Coating makes maintaining it much easier and extends its life. 

Painting with polyurethane seals the surface under a coat of plastic, preventing damage and making cleaning simple.

A concrete floor is not as solid as it seems. It is porous, making it prone to staining and allowing water or other chemicals to seep in and eat away at its surface. If you have an older patio that has already become discolored, stained, or flaking, patching and painting your patio is a great way to return it to like-new condition and prevent further deterioration.

In addition to the practical benefits, painting your concrete patio offers aesthetic advantages. Polyurethane deck coatings come in a wide variety of colors and finishes. This gives you the freedom to create the look and feel that you are most comfortable with for your outdoor living area.

Even better, if you choose to change the color scheme of your home, repainting is all it takes to update your patio.

Temperature Tolerance: Adapt your patio for all seasons. Polyurethane coatings can withstand extreme temperatures, ensuring your patio remains intact through hot summers and cold winters.

How to Get Your Patio Ready for Painting?

Applying concrete paints is only slightly more complicated than any other painting project that you might have undertaken.

On new construction, the concrete should be allowed to cure for at least 28 days before you begin working. While it may appear solid, it takes time for the molecular bonds to form fully. In cooler climates, it is advisable to wait even longer.

There are several optional steps to consider. Liquid Rubber Polyurethane Deck Coating makes it super easy to waterproof concrete floors, but for truly professional results, don't cut corners.

• Strip: This step is only necessary if the patio has been previously painted. Use a paint stripper suitable for concrete to remove old paint.
• Clean: Begin by thoroughly cleaning your patio. Clear the surface of any organic growth, dust, debris, or loose material.
• Inspect and repair: Once you have cleaned your patio, give it a good once over. Any cracks exceeding ⅛” (3 mm) should be filled with Liquid Rubber Sealant & Adhesive Caulk. Smaller cracks can be repaired using 4" Geo-textile or filled with Liquid Rubber Multi-Purpose Primer. Allow all repairs to fully cure before proceeding.
• Etch: To ensure the concrete paint will properly adhere to the entire surface, etch it with acid. Muriatic acid, also called hydrochloric acid, is the most common choice for this chore, but phosphoric acid and sulfamic acid are also popular choices. 

Read the acid container labeling for proper dilution guidance and carefully follow any recommended best practices and personal protective equipment recommendations. 

You can also use Liquid Rubber Concrete Etch to deliver professional quality results without the safety concerns of using acid.

• Pressure wash: After etching, clean the entire surface with a pressure washer and a quality deck and patio cleaner. Allow the surface to dry 24 to 48 hours after cleaning.
• Moisture test: Take a two-foot square piece of plastic, tape it down on all four sides to the concrete with duct tape, and allow it to sit undisturbed for 24 hours. 

If the concrete is discolored when you remove it, or there is moisture on the plastic, allow your patio to dry for a further 24 hours and then retest. Do not proceed until the concrete is dry.

• Mask: Once the surface is dry enough, mask off and cover any areas that you don't want concrete paint on, such as at junctions with connecting walls.
• Prime: The final step in the preparation process is to apply one heavy coat of Liquid Rubber Multi-Purpose Primer to the concrete. You should use a gallon of primer for every 175–200 sq ft of area to be covered.

Choosing a Color for Your Patio

Consider the style and color scheme of your home when you begin choosing the best concrete paint for outdoor surfaces. You can also consider how you will use the patio. If your outdoor area is going to be subjected to roller skates and bicycle traffic, an elegant white might not be the wisest choice.

Polyurethane patio paint is easy to clean, but why make your life difficult? Luckily, Liquid Rubber Polyurethane Deck Coating comes in five colors and two textures (smooth and textured), ranging from white to utilitarian grey and earthy tones.

Choosing the right combination can significantly enhance your outdoor living space's appeal and durability. The table below shows the available colors along with their ideal use case scenario.

Color	Recommended Use
Brilliant White	Ideal for bright, open areas to enhance light
Misty Grey	Perfect for high-traffic areas, hides imperfections
Stone Grey	Suits modern, minimalist designs
Neutral Beige	Warm tone for cozy, inviting spaces
Saddle Brown	Versatile for classic and rustic settings

How to Apply Liquid Rubber PU Deck Coating to a Concrete Patio

Apply Liquid Rubber Polyurethane Deck Coating when the temperature is between 50°F–86°F (10°C–30°C) and the humidity is below 80%. If rain is in the forecast within two days, wait till you know you will have several clear days before you begin painting.

You can brush or roll on Liquid Rubber PU Deck Coating. Use a roller for large areas and a small polyester brush for trim work and to reach tight spots. Standard polyester rollers work well on smooth finishes, but a deeper-napped roller is preferable for textured finishes. Take note that textured and smooth finish paint can be mixed to achieve your desired finish.

Apply the coating in generous coats (1 gal every 40 sq ft, final coverage) and allow it to cure until dry to the touch. Normally, this will take four to eight hours but can vary due to environmental conditions. Warm, dry weather with a breeze will provide optimum conditions.

Once a coat has dried, apply another coat until you have used up all of the polyurethane you have. You cannot have too many coats. However, add three to four coats for optimal results. When your last coat feels dry, caulk around poles or other areas where water can infiltrate.

Although the coating will be dry to the touch in just a few hours, you should avoid walking on it as much as possible for 48–72 hours, depending on the weather. No furniture should also be placed on it for five to seven days. It takes that long for the polyurethane to fully cure and reach its full strength.

Concrete Paint Maintenance Moving Forward

Part of the beauty of waterproofing your patio with Liquid Rubber products is that while they are not maintenance-free, they are as close as you can get without being there. All of the care that they require under normal use conditions is sweeping, wiping up spills, and occasional cleaning with a quality deck and patio cleaner and soft-bristled brush. 

As a general rule, pressure washers should not be used. Many operate at extremely high pressures and can prematurely erode your coating and damage the concrete itself.

Polyurethane is very stable and chemical resistant. However, it can be damaged by some solvents, such as Mineral Spirits or Toluene, most commonly found in paint thinners. Spills by these types of chemicals should be cleaned up immediately.

If your patio coating is damaged by chemical spillage or heavy impacts, restoring it is as easy as lightly sanding the damaged area and touching up the blemish with fresh paint.

Annual Sealant Check: Once a year, perform a sealant integrity test. Lightly sprinkle water on your patio's surface; if it doesn’t bead up, it may be time to reapply a coat of polyurethane to maintain waterproofing efficiency.

Safety Measures and Best Practices

Applying concrete paint to your concrete porch or floors involves more than just aesthetic improvement. It's crucial to undertake this task with safety and best practices in mind. This guide provides essential safety measures and best practices to ensure the successful application of concrete paint for your outdoor concrete surface.

Safety Measures

• Proper ventilation: Always ensure good ventilation when applying concrete paint. The fumes from some concrete paints can be harmful over long periods of exposure.
  
  
• Personal protective equipment (PPE): Wear appropriate PPE, including gloves, safety goggles, and masks, when handling concrete paint, particularly when using products that may contain strong chemicals.
  
  
• Safe handling of paints: Read and follow the safety instructions on the labels. Store concrete paints in a cool, dry place away from pets and children.

Best Practices

• Choose the right concrete paint: For exterior applications, exterior concrete paint is formulated to withstand weather conditions, making it suitable for an outdoor concrete surface. For durability and a variety of finish options, acrylic paint can be a versatile choice for both indoor and outdoor use.
  
  
• Preparation is key: Properly preparing concrete surfaces before painting is essential. Clean the concrete porch or floors thoroughly and ensure the surface is completely dry before applying any concrete floor paint.
  
  
• Application techniques: Use the right tools, such as rollers for broad surfaces and brushes for edges or intricate areas. Apply concrete paint waterproof products in thin, even layers, allowing sufficient drying time between coats.
  
  
• Test for compatibility: If you're applying a fresh coat of concrete paint over an existing one, test a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure the new concrete paint adheres well and does not react negatively with the old paint.
  
  
• Maintenance: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for curing time before using the space. Regular maintenance, including cleaning and checking for wear and tear, will extend the life of your painted concrete surfaces.

The Best Paint for Concrete Patio 

Concrete patios offer many advantages over traditional decks built from other materials. Concrete is easy to form and can be used to fill almost any available space. It has a lifespan far exceeding its competition, making it a more eco-friendly choice. 

Concrete patios are also more resilient, less labor-intensive to maintain, and easier to keep clean. Their only drawbacks are susceptibility to stains due to their porous nature, potential damage from common chemicals, and the growing concern of acid rain. 

These challenges can be easily overcome by transforming your patio into a waterproof concrete porch or patio using quality polyurethane patio paint. Applying a waterproof polyurethane coating to your patio is as easy as painting and delivers the best possible protection for your outdoor area.