How to repaint outdoor concrete?

jp2000

We have this grimy, chipped and peeling painted concrete around the back of our house. What are my options in terms of stripping it and possibly repainting?

Bear in mind that I don't have much of a budget (chronic illness and unable to work). I'm willing to have a crack at doing something simple myself but I don't have much handyman experience.

Could I apply some type of paint stripper and then scrape or pressure wash it off? Can I then just get some exterior concrete/paver paint and apply with a roller?

I do own a small pressure washer which is strong enough to knock off small bits of paint, but not strip the whole area as it is. The area is quite large overall.

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @jp2000. It's splendid to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about coating concrete.

There are two main options when dealing with deteriorated concrete paint. The first is to strip it all off completely, but that can be quite challenging. A standard pressure washer likely won’t be strong enough to remove everything, so you’d need an industrial-strength pressure washer, which typically requires hiring a professional. Even then, some stubborn areas might require grinding to get a smooth, clean surface.

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly, DIY-friendly approach, you can use a concrete paint primer designed to go over deteriorated surfaces. A good option is Rust-Oleum 3.78L Concrete and Garage Recoat Primer, which helps bond new paint to old, worn coatings. Once the primer is applied, you can repaint using Rust-Oleum 3.78L Concrete and Garage Floor Paint. Just keep in mind that the available colours are limited—your choices would be Armour Grey or Battleship Grey.

Since you already have a small pressure washer, you could use it to remove any loose or flaking paint before applying the primer. A stiff brush can also help with any stubborn areas.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

jp2000

Thanks for your feedback. This area gets direct sun and rain, and I've heard that epoxy paints like the Rust-Oleum that you've suggested don't perform well in the weather, and also that they can be slippery when wet. Can you suggest a non-epoxy solution that would be suitable for a lot of direct sun and rain?

EricL

Hi @jp2000

If you are worried about slipperiness, you can add the Rust-Oleum Concrete And Garage Anti-Skid Additive to add grip to the surface of the epoxy coating. In regards to another product, I suggest looking at the White Knight Ultra Pave 2L Garage Floor Primer in combination with the White Knight 4L Medium Grey Ultra Pave Quick Dry Paint. The Ultra Pave has a P4 slip rating, A slip rating of P4 indicates a surface with high slip resistance, suitable for areas where there's a significant risk of slipping, particularly in wet conditions, like pool surrounds, outdoor patios, and areas exposed to water and oil.

There is also the Dulux Concrete and Paving paint. It comes as a full painting system:

Proper preparation is the key to superior adhesion, for older concrete it is vital that the surface be free of mould and mildew. Old coatings and sealers must be removed to make sure that the new paint will make contact with the concrete surface. The concrete core and surface must be totally dry as any trapped moisture underneath will cause the paint to peel and come off.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

jp2000

Hmmm. I'm a bit confused by the two replies from Bunnings members here. Do I need to remove all of the old paint or not? If so, can I use something like the Tricleanium 1L Paint Stripper?

If I go ahead with the Rust-oleum products, over the top of the existing paint, how will that perform in direct sunlight/rain for years?

EricL

Hello @jp2000

My apologies if it sounds like I am contradicting my teammate. I'm simply reiterating his advice in regards to removing the old coating. The other products that I have mentioned will require that the old coating be removed before application. Mitchell did advise using the Rust-Oleum 3.78L Concrete and Garage Recoat Primer to go over deteriorated surfaces. I also suggest using this if you are not removing the old coating. I understand your circumstances and that you are on a budget.

If you are not prepared to have the current coating removed, I can only suggest using the Rust-Oleum 3.78L Concrete and Garage Recoat Primer as it is the only one designed to go over existing coatings. In regards to the Tricleanium 1L Paint Stripper, I can't give you a definite answer as I am not familiar with the paint product used on your concrete surface. It might have epoxy properties that I am not aware of which means that the Tricleanium will not work.

As an alternative, I suggest looking at using a grinder with a Josco 75mm Twistknot Cup Brush. It may take some time to remove the paint, but it will strip it right off the concrete surface. I suggest doing it in sections, so you won't feel overwhelmed.

Please remember to wear personal protection such as disposable coveralls, gloves, goggles, and a heavy-duty mask when working on your project to ensure your safety.

I hope this clears up any confusion, but feel free to reach out if you need further clarification.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric