Seal Before Painting
Seal Your Concrete
This article will touch on how to clean, paint & seal concrete surfaces. Learn the proper steps, before painting.
Concrete cleaning is an essential first step because the porous surface tends to retain dirt, grease and oil.
- Remove dirt and grease with tri-sodium phosphate or choose a more environmentally friendly cleaner.
- Cut the vines and mosses that grow in foundations. Hire a pressure washer to kill the remaining roots and get rid of the deep-down dirt.
- Eliminate efflorescence (efflorescence is a white powder that forms on wet concrete) with water blasting and Loxon masonry conditioner to balance PH levels.
2. Remove the Old Paint
Strip or get rid of the loose paint outside the house with a wire brush, an ink scraper and elbow grease. Make use of mechanical cleaners to get rid of the old paints outside more efficiently.
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Next to power washing, this is may be the most important part of the article. It is also the part where most painters get it wrong when it comes to professional painting. As water moves easily through the porous concrete, it is necessary to seal the exterior walls to prevent infiltration that can promote the growth of mold. Make use of a sealer after you patch the cracks with elastomeric patching compound.
To use a sealer effectively and efficiently, the manufacturer’s instructions should be followed carefully when applying the sealer. Some masonry sealers may require two layers and need to be allowed to dry for about 7 days before the second layer is applied.
4. Acrylic Exterior Paint
Choose the best paint available within your budget to get prodigious results. If you will be painting cracked or troubled concrete, you may need Loxon XP elastomeric paint or elastomeric wall coating. This is a good option because it contains binders that contract and expand with concrete.
The elastomeric paint is much heavier bodied than high-grade exterior paint and mandates a thicker application. In most cases, 3 times as thick as traditional exterior paint to get the waterproofing effect sought after.
Remember, you can have all the motivation and energy to paint your home or waterproofing a commercial building. But unless you have the right painting equipment, paint ladders and years of painting or waterproofing experience; your project may not have the professional results you crave. Call exterior or interior painting contractor for those luscious results we all crave here in Jacksonville~ 904-293-4600