Should You Paint The Garage Floor?

The garage is generally a busy place, subjected to constant foot traffic and tires. But your garage doesn’t have to keep that traditional, bleak concrete. Whether you are just moving in, or sprucing up the home, you might be thinking about painting the garage. This can seem like a lot of work, and maybe even a tough investment. Before you commit to anything, we have thoroughly researched how to paint the garage floor and if you even should.

It is generally considered a good idea to paint your garage. The paint will make a number of changes to your concrete floor, all of which create important advantages:

  • More durability
  • Less dust
  • Easier cleanup
  • More style

Your garage doesn’t only have to serve as some extra storage space. The garage is still a part of your home, and it’s probably used every day. Keep reading to learn more about the serious benefits of painting a garage floor, and how it’s possible to paint the garage floor yourself.

old man painting garage floor with gray paint using roller. Should You Paint The Garage Floor

Is it worth painting a garage floor?

Painting your garage floor is definitely worthwhile, especially in the long run. Painting the floor in your garage is just too practical to ignore. This is especially true since the job is easy to understand, and doesn’t come with a very high price tag.

Interior of a clean garage in a house

The process won’t require many elaborate tools either, but it will demand a lot of time and effort. If you're more interested in an alternative to paint, you can read this post to learn if vinyl flooring is good for the garage.

But if you just don’t like the idea of using some fancy colors in the garage, you don’t have to worry. There are plenty of paints that are available in a smooth grey color and still provide all of the same new advantages.

More Durability

To begin with, durability is a highlight of painting your garage's floor. Consider just how busy your garage actually is. A typical day could involve plenty of tire tracks, but long term use will result in even more damage.

For example, there could easily be oil spills and other hideous stains that accumulate over time. The garage might also be subjected to water damage and mold. Any water damage from inside the house might infect the garage too, and a big storm can cause devastating pools. Frustrating mold requires such conditions to build up.

Further, you may want to work on your car every now and then. This can result in even more spills, but chemicals can be highly corrosive and even dangerous. Academic sources like Autotraining have found that auto body paint can really cause harm to our lungs. Imagine the problems it can inflict on something as weak as old concrete.

It is simply unavoidable that concrete will suffer multiple stains and cracks over time, especially under daily stress. The right kind of paint is going to ensure that your garage floor is more guarded than it ever was.

Less Dust

Concrete is always problematic because it generates its own dust. Every single time you pull into the garage, the concrete is worn down into dust. Even the slightest wear and tear of footsteps can spread puffs of dust through the air.

Sealing up the concrete with paint can greatly reduce the amount of dust in your garage. This will also make cleaning up even easier. Naturally, a garage floor with less dust will require less time to clean.

Easier Cleanup

Once the garage floor is treated and protected by properly applied paint, cleaning up the place will become much easier. And cleaning up the garage is always important because it is often very easy to track messes into the house itself.

Good paint will create a barrier between surface problems and the actual floor. This protective layer is significantly easier to sweep, mop, and scrub. Any new stains or damages can be treated appropriately without having to worry about the concrete.

More Style

Style may not seem like a big deal, because it doesn’t offer much in the way of practicality. True, a painted garage floor can potentially add some resale value. But the majority of people are probably either renting or actively aiming to own.

The fact is that your garage is an integral part of the home. It’s possible that the garage is the first thing you see every time you come home. This should be a more cheerful experience than some stained concrete.

Besides, it can be fun to add your own personality to the garage. And it’s downright essential if you’ve already invested a lot in the car occupying the garage. You don’t want to waste all of the time and money you put into your vehicle. Adding an interior style to the garage can liven up both the home and your vehicle.

How do you prep a garage floor for painting?

Preparing the garage floor properly will ensure that the paint is more effective, more appealing, and even lasts longer. There are a couple steps you need to follow before you begin painting. These steps may be time-consuming, but they are critical for a successful paint job.

Step One

Naturally, your first step will be to remove all obstacles from the floor. This includes big items like packed boxes, any tools strewn about, and so forth. Removing obstacles may also include protecting personal items by covering them with painting tape. This includes your baseboards.

Click here to find this painter's tape on Amazon.

Also remember that you’ll be kicking up a lot of dust, and you’re going to be working with chemicals. This means that you should also make sure the garage has plenty of air flow.

Step Two

Next, you’ll need to remove all the filth. You can begin by washing out the concrete. There is a lot of buildup in those cracks. The best way to do this is by renting a floor buffer or power washer, but that can get pricey. If necessary, you might have to settle for something as simple as hosing down the floor.

Click here to see this pressure washer on Amazon.

With that dirt and grime removed, you should use whatever products are necessary to remove existing grease and rust.

Click here to find this rust stain remover on Amazon.

Step Three

With all of the crevices cleaned up, you should now prep the concrete. Use concrete filler to fill up all of the gaps in the concrete. This will ensure that you have a smooth surface that is ready for a thorough paint job.

Click here to find this concrete filler on Amazon.

Then, you can etch the concrete. This process will open up the concrete’s pores, making it easier for the concrete to absorb all of your paint. Remove any leftovers from the concrete etching, and let this dry completely. You can read this post to learn what happens if you don't etch concrete before applying epoxy.

How do you paint a garage floor yourself?

If you’re going to paint the garage floor yourself, then there are still more steps to follow. Sure, it may be hard work, but you can feel certain that the effort will pay off.

What temperature should it be to paint a garage floor?

Before you begin painting the garage floor, you should actually consider the temperature. This isn’t just for your own comfort. The paint probably won’t adhere or dry properly unless the temperature in your garage is right.

Specialists such as The Painting Company advise that you should apply latex and acrylic paints to your garage door when the temperature is between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step One - Add Primer

Click here to see this primer on Amazon.

Add primer to the garage floor. Primer is an adhesive tool that will help the paint bond with the concrete. Make sure that you find a primer that is designed to work with concrete.

In order to apply the primer, you’re going to need a roller. This tool is handy for large open spaces, so you probably already have rollers for the paint. If the edges seem too challenging to work with, you can use a brush instead of the roller.

Remember to let the primer dry completely. Unless you wait as long as the manufacturer tells you to, you could end up with a totally uneven paint job. The wait time for primer to dry can vary from one brand to the next. Some primer can dry within just half an hour. Others can take as long as four hours. Don’t forget that some garages may require multiple coats of primer.

Step Two - Add Paint

Now it’s finally time to paint. After all of that preparation, you’ll want to choose the best paint for the job. Instead of traditional concrete paint, use epoxy paint.

Click here to find this epoxy paint for concrete on Amazon.

Epoxy paint is one of the most durable and lasting options on the market. This also makes it a little more expensive. But you won’t have to go through this entire process again any time soon. Epoxy usually has a base of latex, which means that you should refer to the temperature suggestion mentioned above when you apply it.

You can once again use a water-resistant roller when you paint the wide open spaces. Then you can just use a brush to finish up the fine edges of the garage. Bear in mind that you will have to wait a more extensive period of time before you can use the garage floor again.

Summary

Painting your garage floor can take a while. Between all of the preparation and drying, it might even be worth it to hire someone for the job. But whether you or someone else is painting the garage floor, the results will be undeniable. Your garage floor will be cleaner, better protected, and boast way more style.

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