Not all concrete is the same - here’s how to prep and paint your floor the right way!
If you’ve got a concrete floor – whether it’s in a garage, warehouse, showroom or even a utility room – painting it can massively improve both its appearance and performance. But not all concrete is the same and the right prep and product choice depends heavily on the type of floor you're working with.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to paint three of the most common types of concrete surfaces:
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Powerfloated concrete
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Damp concrete
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Ordinary dry concrete
We’ll include best practices for preparation, product application and how to get the best possible finish – all explained clearly enough for a confident DIY user or contractor.
Powerfloated Concrete Floors
Powerfloated concrete is commonly found in industrial units, warehouses and large commercial spaces. It’s smooth, dense and very strong – but that smoothness causes problems when it comes to paint adhesion.
The issue: Paints often fail to stick directly to powerfloated concrete because there’s no surface profile for the coating to grip onto.
Preparation
You’ve got two options here:
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Mechanical preparation – Shot blasting or diamond grinding to break the surface and create a key for the paint.
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Chemical adhesion primer – For many jobs, a quality adhesion primer saves time and cost by removing the need for mechanical prep.
👉 For light to medium traffic areas, use our Single Pack Adhesion Primer
👉 For heavy-duty environments, use our Two Pack Adhesion Primer for maximum durability
Once primed:
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Apply Single Pack PU Floor Paint for light to medium traffic use
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For heavy duty, go with Solvent Free AndCoat HB Epoxy Coating – it’s tough, chemical resistant and built for serious wear and tear.
Damp Concrete Floors
Damp floors are common in new builds, basements or where there's been a lack of DPM during construction. It’s important not to trap moisture under floor paint – it will cause blistering, flaking or full delamination over time.
How to Check if a Floor is Damp
A simple test: tape down a piece of plastic sheeting (1m²) to the floor for 24 hours. If condensation appears underneath, the floor is still damp.
Moisture content rule of thumb:
Concrete typically dries at around 1 inch (25mm) per month in normal conditions. So a 6-inch slab could take 6 months or longer to fully dry without intervention.
Preparation & Coating System
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First, apply a Two Pack Liquid DPM (Damp Proof Membrane). This seals the concrete and allows painting even if the floor isn’t fully dry.
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Once cured, follow with AndCoat HB Epoxy Floor Coating – ideal for heavy duty use, good chemical resistance and excellent long-term wear.
Ordinary Dry Concrete Floors
This is the most straightforward surface to paint, as long as it's clean and dry.
First Steps
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Sweep and vacuum the floor
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Remove any oil or contaminants using a degreaser
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Check for porosity by spraying water – if it soaks in quickly, the surface may be too absorbent and need a primer
For Light to Medium Traffic
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Apply one thinned coat of AndCoat PU Floor Paint as a primer coat (thinned with 5–10% solvent or water depending on type)
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Follow with a full-strength second coat
For Heavy Traffic
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Apply two coats of AndCoat HB Epoxy Floor Paint for a high build, durable finish
If Floor is Porous
Highly porous concrete will suck the paint in, leading to patchy coverage or poor durability.
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First apply an Impregnation Primer to seal the surface
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Then follow with your chosen HB Epoxy System
Colour Choice & Larger Projects
We can make over 72,000 colours, so whether you're looking for bold branding or subtle tones, we’ve got you covered. We can also colour match to RAL, BS or custom colours on request.
For Larger Projects
We also offer contracting services which include:
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Shot blasting
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Diamond grinding
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Surface moisture testing
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Full specification and application of the paint system
Our experienced team will ensure the correct system is used for the environment, traffic level and finish you need – backed up with technical advice and long-term support.
Final Thoughts
Painting a concrete floor isn’t complicated, as long as you follow the right steps for your surface type. Whether you're working with new, powerfloated or damp concrete, we’ve got a system that’ll work for you.
Need help choosing the right product or checking your moisture levels? Get in touch – we’re happy to help.
