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Garage with gray painted floor that is clean and organized.
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5 from 3 votes

How To Paint A Garage Floor

Learn the tips and tricks for how to paint garage floors. This DIY project for concrete floor coating has been durable, easy to clean, and non-slip when wet!
Prep Time1 day
Active Time3 days
Total Time4 days
Yield: 1 garage floor
Author: Rachel
Cost: $200

Equipment

  • Hose with water connection
  • Bucket for mixing acid

Materials

Instructions

  • Moisture Test. Tear off a few feet of clear plastic wrap and lay it on the floor. Use Duck Tape or another well sealing tape around all of the edges. I would recommend leaving for a day or two and check periodically if any moisture, color change, or condensation collects on the floor or the underside of the plastic wrap.
    Concrete moisture test demonstration with plastic wrap and painter's tape on the floor.
  • Clear the Area. Remove everything off the floor.
    Old garage floor before painting.
  • Clean the Floor. Make sure you scrub off any oil, dirt, or chipping paint from the floor. Use a good degreaser and a long handled scrub brush to remove any contaminants.
    Cleaning concrete with a pressure washer.
  • Acid Etching. Wear safety goggles, rubber gloves, and old shoes. Wet the concrete first before pour the diluted acid on the floor. It should begin bubbling and fizzing immediately. If not then you will want to increase the strength. 
    Man pouring concrete etching acid while wearing safety equiptment.
  • Lightly scrub the acid solution. Use a push broom or long handled scrub brush. This helps to create a uniform etch of the concrete. Let the solution sit for 10 – 15 minutes while it continues to fizz and bubble. Do not let the floor dry out.
    Push broom scrubbing garage floor.
  • Neutralize and Rinse. Mix 1 cup of baking soda to 1 gallon of water and sprinkle over the floor. Allow to sit 10 minutes and then rinse with a garden hose. When mostly dry, wipe your hand across the floor to make sure there is no powdery white residue left behind. If there is, thoroughly rinse again. The concrete should be approximately the roughness of 150 grit sandpaper. If not, repeat the etching process.
    Cleaning floor with push broom.
  • Allow the floor to dry completely (2 days). The concrete should be approximately the roughness of 150 grit sandpaper. If not, repeat the etching process.
    Old garage floor before painting.
  • Fill Cracks. Large cracks can be filled in with concrete patch. For small cracks, the aggregate will fill in with a brush. Paint one coat and let dry before your roller coat.
    Brushing Behr Granite Grip on floor with a paint brush.
  • Apply Floor Coating. Rent a textured paint sprayer or use an adhesive roller (not a regular paint nap roller) to apply the paint. Working in a 4×4 area, make sure to minimize roller marks by working in a random pattern.
    Man painting a garage floor with a roller.
  • Allow to Dry. The floor is ready for light traffic in 24 hours but allow coating to dry for 72 hours before subjecting to automotive tires. Longer dry time required in cooler temperatures and in higher humidity. Don’t rinse the floor for 30 days and you have yourself a great floor!
    Garage with gray painted floor that is clean and organized.

Notes

Recommended Brands
  • Homeowner/Durable but Budget Friendly - Rustoleum EpoxyShield or Rocksolid
  • Professional Grade/Maximum Durability and Chemical Resistance - Armor Garage or ArmorPoxy Armorclad
  • Weather resistant/non-slip/non-gloss - Behr Granite Grip 
  • We chose Granite Grip since we use the garage as a home and woodworking workshop. 
    General Tips
  • Always follow manufacture's directions first. These instructions are tips from our usage of products.
  • Make sure to regularly stir the aggregate/flakes suspended in the paint solution.
  • Work in 4 foot by 4 foot sections so that you aren't going over semi-dry paint.
  • Raw concrete is porous so it may suck up the paint quite quickly. Second and third coats are easier to smooth out.
  • Between coats, wait the manufacture's recommended time. Yes, you will end up walking on it to recoat, but you will cover over any imperfections.
  • You need to apply at least two coats to get full, even coverage. We applied 3, but our coats were thin so it kept within the 50 sq ft per gallon recommendation from Behr.
  • Many brands recommend spike shoes in order to walk on the fresh paint for subsequent coats. We didn't use any and it was perfectly fine.