How to Apply Garage Floor Paint

My Labor Day weekend consisted of moving, pulling, scrubbing, cleaning, priming, and painting.  Yup, I labored away.  I’ve been working really hard at getting my garage cleaned and organized. I got rid of tons of stuff, cleaned everything, and done some organization projects.

You can always get a sneak peek on my Instagram!

Today I want to share with you how I painted the garage floor.

My garage floor was pretty dirty and gross. It had a bunch of paint stains from my various projects and some other miscellaneous stains. This wouldn’t have bothered me that much (it’s a garage), but since I do laundry in there, I needed a cleaner-looking environment.

Painting your garage floor will instantly make your garage look cleaner and fresher and is relatively easy and inexpensive. Painted floors will provide extra protection against mold, mildew and grease.  They are also water-resistant and easier to clean.

Here’s where my project began. I’m almost too embarrassed to show this huge mess. Crazy, right?! The garage was never neat, but it all went downhill  when I spotted a Black Racer snake. I was doing laundry and when I turned around, the snake was right behind me. And it was big!! I made it out alive, but sadly, I could never figure out if the snake had left my garage or not.

After this incident no one wanted to go in there and things just kind of got thrown in. Doing laundry became a stressful chore. I didn’t go without holding a broom or baseball bat in my hand. So classy.

Anyhow, dragging everything out (including washer & dryer) was no small task. Btw, using these furniture gliders is the only way for me to move heavy stuff around. I picked them up at Big Lots  when I refinished my hardwood floors. I was able to move my couches, shelves, tables, etc. all by myself. They are really handy to have.

Here’s the paint and primer the nice gentleman at Home Depot recommended. I was told the epoxy paint vs. latex acrylic paint  is more durable and will provide a better bond to the concrete making it more chip resistant.  I ended up using the Behr Premium Concrete & Masonry Bonding Primer and the Behr Premium 1-Part Epoxy Concrete & Garage Floor Paint in Slate Gray. I was told the color Slate Gray is their most popular color. My total cost for paint and primer was $32 (Labor Day special).

 How to Paint a Garage Floor

Step #1: Clean the Floors

It’s ideal to use a pressure washer to clean off as much grime and dirt as possible. If you don’t have access to a power washer ( I don’t), you can use  a stiff-bristled scrubbing brush and a hose with a high pressure nozzle as an alternative.   Use a cleaner with added cleaning power. I used Simple Green which can be used on concrete, brick, fiber glass, etc. Make sure the cleaning solution doesn’t dry on the concrete.

Sometimes a little extra elbow grease goes a long way. I used a paint scraper to get rid of old stubborn paint stains. Next, I hosed down the floor and let it dry completely. Now here’s something I didn’t know. Concrete takes forever to dry – two hours to be exact. I let it dry overnight and continued with the primer the next day.

Step #2: Fill in Cracks

Before you prime, check for any cracks and fill them in. Surprisingly, my floor didn’t have any.

Step #3: Etch the Floors (if necessary)

At the Home Depot I asked about etching the floor. Depending on the surface of your concrete floors, you may need to etch. I didn’t have to do this part. Etching opens up the pores of the concrete to allow the paint to absorb better.  To test if your floor needs etching, drop a small amount of water on the floor and see how quickly it is absorbed.  If it is absorbed quite quickly, you likely do not need to etch.  If it tends to pool on the surface of the floor, using a commercial concrete etcher is recommended.

Step #4: Apply Bonding Primer

The primer is designed to promote the adhesion of the paint.  It goes on a little milky so you can see where you are painting, but it dries clear.  Let it set for at least 4 hours before applying your paint.

Step #5: Apply Paint

The paint went on really smoothly and covered well.  I used a brush around the edges and then rolled on the rest.  I did two coats just to be safe.  I don’t park my car in the garage, but is recommended to wait at least a week before driving on it. I waited 24 hours before I walked on the floor.

It’s amazing what a difference a gallon of garage floor paint can make. The garage feels fresh and clean now. I’m very happy with the end result.

Now that the floor is done, I’m working on my garage organization. Shelves made of 2x4s are going in as are smaller shelves, peg boards and tool hooks.