Painting your patio slabs is a great way to improve the look of your backyard. Not only is it a cost effective solution, but it also helps to protect the concrete from the elements. When used in combination with other elements such as plants, furniture and lighting, painting can help create a cohesive outdoor living environment.
Before you start painting, consider the following:
Make sure the surface is clean and dry. If your patio slabs are new or you have never painted them before, apply a coat of primer to ensure that they are fully sealed before applying paint. You can also use a sealer on an existing patio slab to protect it from water damage caused by rain or snow.
If you don’t want to use paint stripper, you can also rent an electric grinder from your local hardware store to remove any old paint from your patio slab before applying new paint. Grinding will get rid of any loose material on top of the concrete and allow for better adhesion between layers of new paint.
The first step is to remove the old paint from your porch or patio slabs. You can use a pressure washer or a stiff scrub brush, but be careful not to damage any underlying surfaces. If there are cracks in your concrete, try using a concrete crack filler product first before painting it.
Once your slab is clean, choose an outdoor paint that’s specifically made for concrete surfaces. You’ll need at least two coats of the paint, but don’t put down too much at once because it may run down the sides of the slabs if they’re not covered with newspaper first.
After applying the first coat of outdoor concrete paint, let it dry for about two hours before adding another coat on top of it. Wait 24 hours after applying both coats before sealing them with a sealer that lasts at least three years outdoors — this will protect your new patio from rain and sun damage so you don’t have to repaint as often!
Once everything has dried completely, choose a flat paint with no gloss or shine so that the surface remains smooth. You can find flat paints at most hardware stores or home improvement centres. You might also be able to find a colour that matches your existing tiles exactly; otherwise, choose something that is similar in hue but not necessarily perfect match.
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