What paint should I apply to this?

Question

In the building where I work, there has been a new paint applied to the (get this) cement floors. There was an old coat, but I have no way to know what kind it was, and a light coat of wax on top, possibly. They have painted this floor with at least 8 coats of some kind of paint that I believe to be latex, and it will absolutely not stick. Any minor disturbance peels it up. What paint, solvent, or whatever will get rid of this c**p, and what do I need to do to get a new paint job on this floor?

Answer 1

I see two possible problems here... first, apparently they did not strip the floor before they began painting, and secondly, sounds like they used the wrong kind of paint.

The floor needs to be stripped of any 'wax' type coating... and at this point that means stripping off all the new paint they've put on it, because its only going to continue to peel off.

Once its stripped down to bare concrete, you've got some options... the easiest of which, is an epoxy coating.  Goes on like paint, but adheres better, is a harder surface, and lasts longer in a flooring application, than typical paint.

Another option is to 'resurface' the concrete.  There are systems (and installers) out there that can apply about a 1/4" to 1/2" thick coat of new 'cement', coloring it, and even making a texture pattern in it  (making it look like stone, brick pavers, etc... all kinds of neat looks).

One final option -- I cant think of why it wouldnt work, but I've not heard of anyone actually doing it... is to apply a 'rubber' coating, like a spray-on truck bed liner, to the floor.  Depending on how heavy the traffic is, this might be viable.  (I'd stick with an epoxy coating if youre running any kind of fork lifts over the floor)

As to how to remove the existing paint and such... I think you want to stay away from flammable solvents.  You might be able to use a citrus based paint remover, but its typically a bit slow, and is very messy.  Your other choice is to use wire brushes, or a machine (commercial buffer/stripper, or even possibly a floor sander)  Lots of elbow grease, heheh... and don't forget to use appropriate safety gear... dust/chemical masks, eye protection, etc.  Perhaps some chemical resistant boots/gloves, if you are using a paint stripper.  By the way, if you choose to use paint stripper, do only portions of the floor at a time, leaving a clear walkway around the work in progress.

Here are some links to check out -

http://www.epoxy-coat.com/

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AuMv...

http://www.renewcrete.com/?OVRAW=concret...

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0ge...

Good Luck

Answer 2

You must remove ANY coating that is on the floor now, including any "wax", which could be a curing compound used when the floor was poured.

Make sure the floor is READY for a coating, whether it is epoxy (best), paint or concrete stain.  The simplest test is to pour some water randomly on the stripped floor.  If it soaks in, it's ready to be coated.  If it beads like a waxed car, you will need to acid etch the floor.

No offense to anyone, but please go to a local paint store, not the boxes, for these types of products and information.

Answer 3

http://restorations-h4rdware.blogspot.co... too

Answer 4

Depending on the paint, either way, the best way is to scrap it off, and then use the solvent for the rest. Take a sample into Home Depot paint dept. They will be able to identify the type of paint and tell you what to use. Also, you could stain the cement, really nicer then paint.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

The wax is going to be a problem until it is removed.  You can try burning off the paint first as this is the cheapest way.  If not, nitromors (paint stripper) and a wire brush.  If you can get 80-90 percent off then apply a proper floor paint, which will likely be oil/solvent based.  It may be worth considering putting down a PVA coat followed by a cement slurry, but do not PVA directly under paint.  

Hard to be exact without seeing it.