Floor paint - epoxy, acrylic, abrasion-resistant
Garage floor peeled after the first winter. Bad paint? Not necessarily. Concrete needs at least 28 days from casting and moisture below 4% - two conditions often skipped on rushed jobs.
Floor paint is not a simple category. What matters: what's underneath, the traffic load, and the temperature range it faces.
Epoxy paints - the hardest option. Good chemical resistance: oil, fuel, solvents. Garage, workshop, storage. Smooth surface, easy to clean. Requires mixing two components - not complicated, but you must respect the application window after mixing.
Acrylic floor paints - easier to apply, fast drying, wide colour range. Balcony, covered terrace, stairwell. Less resistant to solvents and scratching than epoxy, but more flexible under temperature swings - matters on exposed terraces.
Polyurethane paints - a middle ground between epoxy and acrylic. Good flexibility, better UV resistance than standard epoxy. Open parking, sun-exposed terrace.
Surface prep is not optional. Sand to open the concrete pores. Vacuum thoroughly. Dedicated concrete primer - skip it and the paint will not bond and will lift. Fill cracks before priming.
How long does it last? At moderate traffic, epoxy on a garage floor holds 5-8 years. Acrylic - 2-3 years. Under studded winter tyres expect more frequent recoating.
Colorista stocks options for garages, terraces and light industrial spaces.
For concrete in utility spaces use epoxy or polyurethane paint. Epoxy is harder and chemically resistant (good for garages with oil and fuel). Polyurethane is more flexible and handles temperature swings - better for terraces and open parking.
Concrete at least 28 days cured. Moisture below 4%. Sand to open pores, vacuum the dust, apply a dedicated concrete primer. Fill cracks with repair compound. If the concrete drinks water fast, apply two primer coats.
Epoxy paints on garage floors last 5-8 years with moderate traffic. Acrylic floor paints (easier to apply but less durable) - 2-3 years. Under tyres with winter studs or heavy friction, recoat every 2-3 years.
Yes, but distinguish: solid wood (oak, ash) takes alkyd paints in 2-3 coats with sanding between. Layered or melamine parquet is not painted - only varnished with a special product. For concrete covered with OSB or plywood, pick an exterior wood paint - more flexible.
Acrylic - light foot traffic in 24h, heavy furniture after 7 days. Epoxy - 12-24h for steps, 7 days for cars or heavy equipment. Full cure (maximum hardness) is 28 days - avoid harsh cleaners until then.
