Do you need to seal a garage floor before painting?

[leemarkadams]

Hello all, am looking to paint my garage floor in the near future, now the question is do I need to seal the floor first and then paint it, or just paint it using floor paint?

Thanks

Lee

[Spudler]

Not always. Find an independant (or Dulux) paint retailer and get their advice, not the likes of B&Q.
You get what you pay for.

[T5GRF]

I did mine 10 years ago, 2 coats of reasonable quality "battleship grey" and didn't seal it. It has lasted pretty well. I think if I was doing it again I would seal it before painting as once the paint is down it won't be very easy to seal it again for obvious reasons.

Make sure it is a warm dry day as the paint takes a long time to go off, also make sure the area is well ventilated, if like me your garage is not detached and you have accomodation over the area to be painted you might find that a night in the spare room is in order...

[dudleybloke]

sorry, dont know much about keeping french cars underwater!

[Simpo Two]

dudleybloke said:

sorry, dont know much about keeping french cars underwater!

[renmure]

I didn't seal mine when I painted it 3 years ago.
It has lasted well, although could probably do with a new topcoat now.
If I were doing it again from scratch, I would seal it.

[Biker's Nemesis]

I sealed mine when I did it 3 months ago.

[eps]

Lucky I found this thread! Have been meaning to paint the garage floor...

http://www.international-paints.co.uk/how_to/artic...

International paints have a sealer and various paints on offer, in a number of colours.

[Biker's Nemesis]

[quote=eps]Lucky I found this thread! Have been meaning to paint the garage floor...

http://www.international-paints.co.uk/how_to/artic...

International paints have a sealer and various paints on offer, in a number of colours.[/quote


I used International paint for my floor, £45 for a 5ltr tin.

[Biker's Nemesis]

[MrChips]

^^ B&Q stock the international paint stuff.
I did mine about 3 years ago using the sealer followed by the floor paint itself. Still looks great, and helps if you spill something, you can just wash the floor down much easier.

[eps]

Just out of interest, floor first or walls first? or makes f... all difference? Just trying to ensure I do the best job poss.

[Biker's Nemesis]

Walls first.

[parapaul]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Walls first.

Unless gravity doesn't apply in your garage

[renmure]

I went to town with the masking tape. Not sure I would do that again either TBH

[netherfield]

Acid etched first,this is to neutralise the lime and salts in the concrete,then two coats of the International paint.

Done this Summer,should have done it years ago,easy to clean and keeps the dust from rising from the concrete.

[Duke Thrust]

renmure said:

I went to town with the masking tape. Not sure I would do that again either TBH

Is your garage 2.4m high? (To keep within permitted developments regs?)

[Zip106]

You'll only need to acid etch/scabble if the concrete has been power floated.

Normally a thinned coat of the floor paint followed by one or two full strength coats will suffice in a domestic environment with a maintenance coat every 18 - 24 months depending on usage.

Oh - walls first.

[netherfield]

Yes it was power floated.

[leemarkadams]

Can anyone confirm if you have to seal the floor if using 2 part epoxy paint?

Thanks

Lee