Preparing Bare Concrete for a Perfect Paint Finish

Before painting or coating a concrete floor, proper preparation is key. PaintRight and Haymes Paint recommend taking the time to clean, degrease, and etch your surface to ensure long-lasting adhesion and a smooth, professional finish.

What you’ll need

• Pressure washer

• Hydrochloric acid

• Rubber gloves & safety goggles

• Masking tape

• Plastic bucket

• Stiff-bristle broom

• Watering can

• Scrubbing brush

• Heavy-duty concrete degreaser (available at PaintRight)

Step 1: General cleaning

Start by removing all dirt, dust, and debris. Grease, oil, and other contaminants must be treated with a heavy-duty concrete degreaser before painting. Use a pressure washer for a thorough clean — if the surface feels like sandpaper, it’s ready.

Step 2: Acid etching (if required)

For smooth concrete, prepare an acid-etch solution: mix 3 parts water to 1 part hydrochloric acid, always adding water to acid, never the other way around.

Safety first: Always wear gloves and goggles. Pour the mixture evenly onto the surface with a watering can and work it in with a stiff-bristle broom. Bubbling indicates the acid is working.

Rinse the surface thoroughly with water afterward, and sweep to remove all remaining dirt or residue.

Quick tip: Test your floor

Apply a strip of adhesive tape to the cleaned concrete, rub firmly, then remove. If particles of concrete, dust, or dirt stick to the tape, the floor needs more cleaning before coating.

By following these steps and using PaintRight-recommended cleaners and Haymes Paint products, your concrete surface will be primed for epoxy, paint, or other coatings, giving your project a durable, professional finish every time.