Concrete: We've covered it, glued tiles on it, rolled linoleum over it or just tried to ignore it. But with the right preparation and maintenance, an interior or exterior concrete floor can stand on its own as a work of art. In fact, one of the hottest and most versatile trends today is concrete-floor painting. What's new is the products and superior sealers that make concrete an ideal surface to paint and decorate.
How to prepare a concrete floor:
1. If your floor is inside, check your water table. Is the concrete damp? Are there puddles? Does the room require a dehumidifier? Has your carpeting mysteriously "melted " onto the floor's surface? If so, contact a professional to see what can be done to prevent water from seeping in. Concrete takes a long time to dry so even after the exterior walls are repaired and properly sealed (below ground level), you need to wait until it is completely dry before painting. Exterior concrete surfaces should have a natural runoff slope so that water doesn't collect in one spot. If the surface remains wet all the time, it's not suitable for decoration.
2. Thoroughly clean the concrete. Grease is the most common barrier to paint. To remove grease, put down cat litter to absorb the big chunks, then scrub again and again with Goof Off. Then, mix up a bucket of TSP and scrub the floor, rinsing several times, until your mop is clean. Wait three days for the floor to dry.
3. Sand off any paint or bumpy stuff (such as glue residue from a carpet) with a hand sander and 80-grit sandpaper. Vacuum well, then go over the floor with a tack cloth (sticky cheesecloth). Remove any visible nails.
4. Repair cracks and holes with Cement Fixall. Let dry completely.
My Faux Studio Floor
Many of us have work or play spaces that need to function in lots of different ways. A fun way to delineate space and perk up a concrete floor is to go faux. In my own studio I've separated areas for painting, sewing and crafts by painting rugs and patterns on the concrete.
Pick your patterns from any source. I copied my kitchen plates because of their interesting pattern. Creating a "rug" is even easier: Measure out your rug and have fun filling it in with a pattern, then add tassels. Use stencils or have your kids make hand prints on the floor. Paint their names in their designated area.
Experiment! If you're not happy with the result, swipe it with a wet rag while the paint is still wet, then redo.
What to do (after preparation):
1. Roll on two coats of Kilz primer/stain blocker. Let dry between coats.
2. Roll on (or spray with a compressor) two coats of a medium- or high-priced latex flat paint in the color of your choice.
3. Create your patterns, rugs, etc. Let dry.
4. Wearing a respirator mask (you're going into chemical warfare!), roll on two coats of Breakthrough sealer with a 1/4" nap roller. Let dry.
Exterior Concrete Stain
Exterior cement poses a real challenge for those of us who want to get creative. Rain, snow, salts and the baking sun do everything they can to destroy our artwork. One of the easiest ways to add some artistic interest is to "stain" exterior walkways, driveways, pool surrounds or unsealed retaining walls. The pool patio blocks (left ) have a very subtle mottled-gray stain. It'll look great for awhile, but don't expect your hard work to last, unless you seal it every year.
What to do (after preparation):
1. Mix equal portions of Glaze 'n' Seal and water. Let the bubbles dissipate.
2. Drop in Universal Tints to create your desired "stain."
3. Apply stain with a gigantic brush and sea sponge.
4. Add more Glaze 'n' Seal to your bucket to increase the concentration of the product.
5. Seal with three full-strength coats.
6. Maintain with a new coat every year.
Meet Flash Gordon
Kim Gordon makes a living "embellishing" other people's homes."My clients, including such celebrities as Rod Stewart, Anthony Edwards, Don Henley and Della Reese, are forward-looking and trend-setting when it comes to trying new ideas at home. They 're constantly stretching my imagination. This has been my life's work for a decade." Gordon is a visiting artist on HGTV's Awesome Interiors .
This article is excerpted from the July/August 1999 issue of HGTV Ideas magazine.
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