
Preparing Concrete For Painting
Preparing Old, Bare concrete surfaces. Interior and exterior concrete surfaces do not have to remain a flat, boring shade of gray. Concrete can be made
Menu
Interior and exterior concrete surfaces do not have to remain a flat, boring shade of gray. Concrete can be made to look interesting and beautiful by applying a few coats of paint. Painting concrete is a simple and inexpensive task that can be completed by most homeowners. In order to successfully paint concrete it is important to clean and prep the area properly, apply an appropriate concrete paint, and allow adequate time in between each step to ensure that the end result is perfect and long lasting.
Below is a short step by step on how to properly prepare old and bare concrete before painting using Nutech EcoSafe Concrete preparation products.
Prior to commencing, assess the concrete surface for surface contamination and identify areas to be sealed which will require thorough cleaning.
Assess the area to be sealed for surface porosity, cracks and structural issues.
Where required, consult an engineer for further advice.
Grease and oil removal.
First, sweep away any surface leaves, debris, and dirt. Then remove any existing paint or gunk using a power washer or scraper and wire brush.
• Where required, clean residual grease and oil using Nu-EcoSafe Degreaser.
• Mix 1 part Nu-EcoSafe Degreaser to 4 parts water.
• Apply by plastic watering can or pump spray pack, liberally to the soiled area.
• Allow the solution to activate on the surface for at least 5 minutes. Multiple treatments may be required.
• High pressure clean with a recommended minimum water pressure of 2000 psi.
Moss and lichen removal (where applicable)
• Remove all loose contaminants including moss build up, dust, dirt and debris.
• Mix Nutech Hypo based on level of contamination;
– Lightly Soiled Areas: Mix 1 to 1 with clean fresh water.
– Heavily Soiled Areas: Neat – no dilution required.
• Apply liberally to affected areas via watering can or pump spray pack.
• Allow Nutech Hypo to activate on the surface for a minimum of 2 hours.
• High pressure clean with a recommended minimum water pressure of 2000 psi.
• Allow the concrete surface to dry thoroughly.
Note: PaveCoat MUST penetrate the surface to achieve good adhesion. It is imperative that the concrete surface is etched prior to application to improve porosity and sealer absorption. Etching is often a pre-requisite for application of high-performance paint/coating systems.
Use a plastic watering can to mix and apply the etch as outlined;
• Rough stipple finished concrete:
1 part Nu-EcoSafe Etch or Nu-EcoSafe UltraEtch to 15 parts clean water.
• Smooth steel trowelled concrete surfaces:1 part Nu-EcoSafe Etch or Nu-EcoSafe UltraEtch to 10 parts clean water.
• Hardened or High MPa Concrete:
1 part Nu-EcoSafe Etch or Nu-EcoSafe UltraEtch to 5 parts clean water.
Use the watering can to evenly wet the entire concrete surface with diluted Nu-EcoSafe Etch or Nu-EcoSafe UltraEtch solution and allow to activate on the surface for 15 minutes.
• After 15 minutes, high pressure clean with a recommended minimum water pressure of 2000 psi.
• Allow the concrete surface to dry thoroughly.
Determine porosity.
• Measure 1 cup of fresh water and pour onto the dry surface.
• Observe water absorption noting absorption within 30 seconds.
• If water pools or is slow to be absorbed, a second application of etch will be required.
• Repeat etch process if necessary.
The concrete should have less than 5% moisture content prior to sealing.
• A calibrated moisture test meter should be used to assess the percentage of moisture present prior to application.
Preparing Old, Bare concrete surfaces. Interior and exterior concrete surfaces do not have to remain a flat, boring shade of gray. Concrete can be made
The Answer May Surprise You. Often a topic of great conjecture between roof restoration and paint companies is the topic of repainting of terracotta roof
Makeover’s are a big task for small businesses, but the right products make the job easy. Nutech Paint has the products transform any space
Leaving hidden messages on concrete that are only revealed when it rains has become a popular trend. But can you replicate this effect at home?
Acid etching concrete before coating is really important, but do you know what or what to use? We lay it all out here
How do you go about choosing the right primer for your home? We compare a few different primers and when you might choose them