During our years in the painting trade, we’ve had many people ask us questions about garage floor paint.
They range from “is it even worth it?” to “how long does the paint last?”. If you’ve found this page because you have similar questions, keep on reading. We’ve taken the most commonly asked questions about garage floor paint and answered them here to save you the effort of trying to find the information yourself.
Is Painting a Garage Floor a Good Idea?
Painting your garage floor has numerous benefits ranging from the aesthetic look to having a surface that can be easily cleaned and in general, is a good idea.
If your garage floor is made up of untreated concrete, cleaning up oil, dirt and mild chemicals can be a bit of a nightmare as the higher porosity of concrete means you can’t go over it effectively.
Having a garage floor that’s got a few coats of garage floor specific paint will ensure that nothing is getting absorbed into the floor making cleaning an easier job.
Of course you get the aesthetics of a shiny new surface too which, let’s face it, is better than looking at boring, plain concrete!
How Long Does Garage Floor Paint Last?
Garage floor paint can last for as little as 2 years or as long as 15 years depending on your choice of paint, how it was applied and how much stress it’s put under.
As there are many variable factors, it’s hard to give a definitive answer. If you choose the best paint, apply it after doing the necessary preparation and don’t need to clean it too often, it should last you a long time.
How Long Does Garage Floor Paint Take to Dry?
Garage floor paint is designed to be heavy duty and durable so can take as long as 10 days to fully dry and set.
It should be ready for a second coat within around 16 – 24 hours. You should refrain from parking on it for at least 10 days to ensure it reaches its maximum durability however.
Can Garage Floor Paint Be Used On Wood?
While you could use garage floor paint on wood, it will have a hard time adhering to the surface. You’re better off using a wood-specific paint.
Garage floor paint in general has been specifically formulated for adhesion to concrete and stone. This means it’s not going to fully set in the way it was intended to on a wooden surface.
Is Garage Floor Paint Waterproof?
Garage floor paints have been specifically formulated to withstand liquid and oil spillages and are therefore considered to be waterproof.
Can You Just Paint a Garage Floor?
It’s advisable that you prepare thoroughly before just going off and painting your garage floor. If the floor isn’t spotless, it will affect the performance of the paint and could result in a patchy finish.
You should ensure your floor is free from:
- Dust
- Dirt
- Oil
- Grease
- Polish
After you’ve completely cleaned the floor, make sure it’s thoroughly dried out before you start painting.