*Disclaimer: This is another project that I do not have before pictures of. This was done during the insane days that led up to the Better Homes and Gardens photo shoot and I was just happy it got done.
My house was built in 1938. At some point in time someone painted the concrete a rusty red. Then someone painted it baby blue. Both colors were peeling badly. When we moved here we painted the concrete all the same tan color that matched the brick. We just used regular exterior paint. It stayed well on the foundation but the steps didn't fair as well. Two years later the tan started to peel and wear away. I began to research paints to see if there was something we could use that would last longer.
I found out about Behr concrete paint. (FYI Behr has no idea I am writing this. Totally just me just tellin' about my experience in hopes it helps one of you)
It is meant for garage floors but can be used for walk ways and steps. There are several steps you can do. There's a cleaner, etcher, primer, and paint. We chose to rent a pressure washer and spray the crap out of the steps to get all the loose paint off. As soon as it dried we primed it with the special concrete primer. We did both sets of exterior steps so it was a pain not to be able to step on them. Luckily we have a basement door. The primer looks like Elmer's glue and it stays tacky. When it "dries" it goes clear. Then it is time to paint. They have several different colors and we lucked out cause one of them matched the existing tan paint on the house.
(Source: Google Images)
The walk way that led to the steps use to be bright PINK. I kid you not. And it wasn't painted pink. Nope. The concrete itself was pink. I have never been so excited to paint something in my life!
It has only been one month since we have done it so I can't tell you whether or not it will last forever and ever. But I have been impressed with it so far. Regular paint is kind of soft and rubbery (hence the peeling) and this seems rock hard like it became part of the cement. Plus all the reviews I read were positive.
Have any of you used this paint before? What did you think of it? I would love to know about your experience.
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Holy Crow! I keep getting more projects when I come visit your site. Although I finally have everything I need so I can finish the side table this week. And the front door was next, might as well get the steps done too. Our steps were painted tan, hunter green, and crimson. Not to mention they had absolutely no grip to them and we narrowly avoid accidents (most, anyway) every time it rains. We did get a pressure washer for Christmas (practical-that's how our families roll) and it does need to be broken-in. THANKS!!
your whole entrance is just super cute. i am totally jealous of your tulips-i think some animal ate mine, b/c none of the blooms are there. just stems. so sad, really.
I will totally check this out! We used a hideous stain on our sidewalk and driveway years ago and I hate it! Yours looks great! Thanks for the "review" of sorts and letting us know about it:-)
This is so cool! I've never even heard of it, but it looks fantastic at your house!
I am getting ready to paint some of our concrete outside as well...this post came just in time! Thanks for sharing!!!
What a great idea to waken up old tired concrete. Yours looks great and I hope it sticks without the peeling!
DId it take along time to dry between priming and painting? Can it be done in a day? Thank you for this great idea, I've got to try it!!!
It was sprinkling on me when I was priming. I had to wait until the next day to finish but if you had warm weather and you started in the morning I bet you could easily do it one day.
Did you have any cracks that you had to fill before painting? If so, how did you fill them? I would love to paint my patio but there are several cracks that would need to be repaired first. Your entrance is beautiful and so inviting!
I didn't really have any cracks. The cement was very pitted though. To be safe, I would fill the cracks first before trying this. Good luck!
Love this! Your front entry way is gorgeous! LOVE the tulips!
I've never considered painting our steps and front walkway before, but it'll be interesting to see how this holds up. How often does your walkway need shoveling in the winter? I'd love to paint our steps, but we need to shovel several times each winter. Great review. Thanks for sharing.
I had a reader on FB say that she did this 5 years ago and it is still going strong. I didn't think to ask her about snow shoveling. Great question! I have to shovel A LOT. I hope it holes up to that :)
That looks great! Thanks for sharing! Your newest follower. Hope you can visit me sometime soon!
What a gorgeous house! You definitely have some great curb appeal! We have wooden and I'm still looking for a paint that wears well on those. Thanks for sharing! :)
I am so glad I stopped by to look at your post! I have been trying to find a low cost solution for our ugly concrete patio and I think I may have just found it :) Thanks!
This wouldn't work too well where I am - once winter hits it would become far too slippery! It looks great though - easy way to make it look good without all the hard work of ripping up the pink concrete!
Behr has some gritty stuff that comes as part of the cement paint line that you can add to the paint so it will have traction. One of my readers said she added sand and it worked great for her.
Any news on how it holds up to shoveling???
Hi
Your entry way looks fabulous! I'd like to remove an old carpet and paint the concrete floor in our spare room. Is there a product/technique you can recommend?? Thank you!
This looks really fantastic. I'm planning to do the same thing and was wondering how it held up for you. I, too, shovel far too much each winter!
Hello! I was wondering how this paint has held up for you! I am very attempted to give it a go on our front steps and landing, as well as our uncovered parking spot. I also was wondering what color you chose and if it was slippery for you. Thanks! It looks great!
It has held up a lot better than regular paint. There are a few places with spot that have worn through. About the size of quarters maybe. But when I used regular paint it would almost all peel off in less than a year. SO I would say this would be a good temporary solution where you would have to touch up or repaint every 3-5 years depending on use. The colors they have are limited. I don't remember the name but it was the only tan color they had. It didn't make the cement more slippery at all :)
Thank you!
I was also wondering how this has held up and what color this is, as it looks like Abbey just commented. :) I was wanting to try this on our porch, any tips?
Thanks!
Hello! Can you give me the exact color you chose? I think behr has paint for front porches now but this color looks nicer.
What color cement paint did you use? It looks great!
What color in the paint did you use? I was going to get that today but don't know the color. Thanks. Debbie
I’m sorry I don’t recall the color. It was over 7 years ago that I painted it. They may have different colors now. Sorry I couldn’t be more help!
love this! Was visiting for your nephew's paint colors and saw painted concrete! Merry Christmas Stacey!
laura at Everyday Edits (formerly not a trophy wife blog) ;0)
Your entryway and home are perfection! What a wonderful idea. If I were to do this on my own for a walkway and steps about your size, how many days should I allow? Also and I apologize in advance if I missed this in earlier comments, but what color did you use? I love that it is a White/Gray. It really brightened everything up. Is there a special finish you used?
Amazing work! Total game changer. Thank you