How to paint a concrete driveway

One of the main features on your property that stands out and contributes to your home’s curb appeal is the driveway. Over time, the concrete can look worn and can develop a few stains, which can cause it to detract from the beauty of your home. Painting the driveway can give it a much-needed facelift and even boost the value of your house by transforming the exterior.

There are a few steps to take to apply driveway paint and transform the surface. The process includes repairing cracks in the concrete, mixing etch primer in a bucket of water, and using the first coat in turpentine. Paint the edges with a brush and roll the paint onto the rest of the driveway. The paint should cure for at least 16 hours before applying a second coat.

Advantages of a painted concrete driveway

Choice of colour – Painting the concrete allows you to select the colour shade to ensure it looks custom and specific to your preference. It will also allow you to choose a colour that blends in with the exterior of your home.

Protects the driveway from the weather – Adding a fresh coat of concrete driveway paint can offer a layer of protection from the elements throughout the year. You can increase the lifespan of the driveway and also prevent damage that can occur throughout the year, which can allow you to save money on repairs.

Improves the aesthetic appearance – A painted concrete driveway is a feature that will stand out.

Prevents stains – One of the main issues that occur with concrete driveways is stains that form and accumulate over time as you park your car. Most cars leak oil at some point, which can be an eyesore and make the property look neglected. By applying asphalt driveway paint, it can make the oil easy to wipe off and will prevent the grease from permanently staining the surface. It can also save you a lot of time having to scrub the surface and attempt to lift the oil to restore the appearance of the driveway.

Concrete driveway painting process

1. Clean and prime the surface – Vacuum the driveway to remove small pieces of debris and hose it off to remove any signs of water seepage when preparing concrete for paint. Repair any cracks that are present and fill in holes with compound to create an even surface. Allow it to completely dry. You can also clean off any oil stains with a mixture of warm water and trisodium phosphate. Use protective gloves to avoid irritation of your skin.

2. Apply tape – Apply the mask to the edges of the driveway to prevent the pain from having contact with other materials and features on the property. Use sturdy paint that doesn’t lift easily, especially in high temperatures or with sun exposure.

3. Apply the first coat – Use diluted paint as a first coat and wait 16 hours until it completely dries. The paint should be applied on a cold day to prevent it from drying too quickly. You can also consider using a coat of concrete bonding primer before you apply the concrete paint for better results.

4. Cut in the edges – Use a wide paintbrush to cut in the edges like you would do when painting doorways or ceilings. This step can make the rest of the process quicker and more convenient.

5. Use a paint roller – You can finish the process of painting the rest of your driveway by using a paint roller. This will deliver more professional results and can cover a larger surface area as you work. You can also consider applying driveway spray paint for a quicker process, and a more even finish.

Painting different types of concrete driveways

The type of driveway you have on your property can affect the results when you apply paint and can also determine which type of paint you need to use. Know what kind of material is installed before you start preparing for the project.

The type of surface that you have on your driveway will determine how easily the paint can be applied. It will also determine the quality of the results, making it necessary to work with a professional to determine which type of paint to purchase. You’ll also need to look into the primers to use in advance before applying each coat.

Asphalt – Paint can be applied directly to asphalt and sticks well because of its thin consistency while also using a special masonry primer.

Textured – Stains and textured concrete paintwork well on textured driveways to ensure small crevices are filled in on the surface.

Stamped – Use a very high-quality masonry epoxy paint to ensure pores are filled in when painting stamped driveways.

Exposed aggregate – An oil-based masonry paint will deliver the best results when painting exposed aggregate driveway because of the textured surface.

Benefits of hiring a professional concrete painter?

Knowledge – Painters are knowledgeable about the different types of paints available on the market and which one will look the best on your driveway.

Expertise – The experience of each painter can allow them to

Stress-free – Hiring a painter to paint your driveway can make it a stress-free and exciting process. You won’t have to worry about making it look professional but can leave the work to someone more qualified. They are guaranteed to deliver the results you’re looking for when you hire their services.

Timely – Due to the experience painters have in their profession, they can work at a faster speed to paint your driveway instead of attempting to do it yourself. They’ll be aware of what paint to use on concrete and will know how to time everything perfectly with each step that needs to be completed.

How to hire a concrete painter

Read online reviews – Read online reviews of each painter that you’re considering hiring to get an idea of their reputation in the industry. You can read about the experience former customers have had to determine if the contractor delivered professional results.

Licencing and qualifications – Look into the background of each professional to ensure they’re licensed and qualified to perform the work on your home. 

FAQs

How long should concrete cure before painting? 

Concrete needs to cure an average of 90 days before it’s ready to be painted over.