Painting Concrete: 5 Concrete & Masonry Myths

Painting concrete is possible with the proper preparation. Make sure the concrete is “paint ready” when painting, coating, staining, etc. Additionally, there are many misconceptions about painting concrete. Therefore, I put together 5 of the most common concrete & masonry myths.

Let’s begin…

 

5 Common Myths About Painting Concrete

 

Myths About “Coatings”

 

Myth #1: All the products and processes available today to colorize and detail concrete are “coatings.”

 

Fact: There are numerous ways to enhance the appearance of concrete surfaces, but many of these are not actually concrete “coatings.”

 

Acid, polymer and other chemicals stains are not paint or coatings, but our a coloring process. Water-based concrete stains, typically composed of acrylic resins – while not technically coatings – behave more like Cody and Products.

 

Myth #2: Coatings bridge the porous surface of concrete, trapping moisture already present that seeks to escape through the surface and setting the coating up for failure.

 

Fact: Not necessarily. Some coatings can bridge porous surfaces, protecting concrete and masonry surfaces from water penetration. Additionally, newer concrete coating technologies are available that are highly permeable from the substrate side.

 

There are coatings that allow moisture vapor from within the concrete to escape, virtually eliminated and blistering, peeling and delamination.

 

Myths About Concrete Prep

 

Myth #3: Concrete must cure for at least 30 days before coating.

 

Fact: “Hot” masonry surfaces require special coatings. Additionally, some primers and topcoats can be used in as little as seven days of curing.

Substrates with surface pH levels from 6-13 require special primers and topcoats. Also, always carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

 

Myth #4: Concrete block fillers are unnecessary, heavy and difficult to apply.

 

Fact: New, lightweight concrete block surfacers are available today that backroll faster and with less effort.

Some fillers/surfacers provide a stable, uniform foundation and can help reduce pH burn, even over freshly cured mortar.

 

Myth #5: Don’t coat chalky concrete.

 

Fact: Chalking concrete should not be directly topcoated.

 

However, it can be prepared for topcoating through the use of concrete conditioner products.

 

These coatings penetrate deeply into masonry substrates to secure chalky surfaces and create a stable place for finish coats.