As part of our pergola project, I’m thinking we should finally paint those concrete columns. Right now, they are just bare concrete. Are there any opinions on how best to do this (and what product)? I could “just ask Sherwin Williams”, but sometimes they are more interested in making a sale than giving the best advice. (not just SW, but any company/salesperson)
It will be in direct sun in Phoenix. Winter, probably not a big deal. Summer is pretty intense. Just to pick SW at random, the only product on their website that seems appropriate is the “all surface enamel” paint. The others are either interior, or “porch and floor” (which, to me, means shaded from the sun). Or maybe I should go for different finish to improve weather (sun) performance? I selected “satin”.
The columns have been in the weather for over 10 years. There are a few drips on them from staining/sealing the slatted wood cover (do I have to try to sand those out?). Just a few (we tried to be careful).
I wouldn’t. It’s just more maintenance, especially in blazing sun. You should prep the concrete first: etch, prime, then paint and expect to redo every 4-6 years.
Absent a compelling need why bother just to make more work for yourself later? And yeah, there are special concrete paints. Regular paint will fail.
I find the SW store people to be among to most informed and honest people. At least in areas east of the Mississippi the stores are franchised/locally owned. They have a big motivation to give good advice. Once a person gets stung, they will go elsewhere. That said, you can get a lot of information from the corporate SW website(s).
If we did it, it would just be aesthetics. Obviously. I don’t think concrete needs “protection”, as a rule. They are columns, so there is no “traffic” wear. But, yes, doing nothing is the low-maintenance solution.
As a side note, while scrubbing off stain/sealer from my hands and arms, a few spots wouldn’t come out. Then I realized those spots weren’t stain. They were just me gettin’ old.
I asked Google: what is the best industrial paint for concrete outdoors.
The AI bit at the top starts by saying:
The best industrial paints for outdoor concrete are
polyaspartic, polyurethane, and high-quality epoxy coatingsbecause they offer excellent durability, UV resistance, and protection from weather. Polyaspartic coatings are noted for their rapid curing and UV stability, while water-based polyurethane is a durable and flexible choice that handles freeze-thaw cycles well. For a more economical and easy-to-apply option, a high-solids, water-based acrylic urethane enamel can also be used.
When I built my home workshop, years ago, a 16x24 building, an adaptation of a garage I’d build for my MIL a while before, 9 foot walls, insulated, lots of outlets… No windows, so to try to lighten things up, I painted the new concrete floor with a 2 part epoxy paint, a light yellow, it’s held up well, but is under the roof, so no sunlight affects.. But with so many tools, the floor isn’t really seen any more… If only it had this much free space today…
I would look into stain. It is easy to apply and as long as the color is not dark, it should hold well.
I had a neighbor in TX that used stain on some flatwork. He used a light tan. The last time I saw it, the color still looked great. (about 15 years of sun on it.)
I do not know anything about brands or prep. I do know it was an after curing application, not a mix in the concrete.
That’s a thought. I would want to stain it a light beige, so match our patio columns. But those aren’t concrete (they are split columns that are hollow, and just take regular exterior paint).
I’ll run it by the boss. Though, doing nothing is the low maintenance option. But it is up to the boss.
I finished staining it today. Took a while, plus the store ran out of the stain I needed and I had to wait for them to get more.
