Steps To Creating A Painted Driveway
A painted driveway is a great way to add aesthetic appeal to your driveway. It helps make your driveway look more attractive to both you and your neighbors, and depending on the type of paint you use, it can also add another layer of protection to the concrete of the driveway.
If you’re looking to add a painted driveway to your home, you can either hire a professional to do the painting for you or paint your driveway yourself. If you are considering painting your driveway yourself as a DIY project, you should understand the process involved.
Clean and Prep the Surface
Make sure the surface of your driveway is clean. You will need to get rid of any debris that may be there on the driveway. Once all the surface dirt and debris have been removed, you should wash down the surface. You can do this using a pressure washer.
Depending on how stubborn the stains are, you may find that some are still present. In this case, use a degreaser to get rid of the remaining stains.
Once the driveway is clean, check if there are any cracks. Also, check the weather before you start painting. Ideally, you want the weather to be dry and warm before you start painting. Make sure that there is no rain, snow, or other inclement weather predicted on the day you are looking to start painting.
Check for Cracks
If you are painting a driveway that has been in use for some time, it is likely that there are some cracks on the surface. These cracks, dents, and chips will need to be repaired. However, before you can do so, you will need to prepare these areas.
In order to do so, first, remove any small pieces that may have gotten jammed in the cracks. You may need to use a hammer to do so. You will then need to use a wire brush and a leaf blower in order to completely clean the surface.
Repair the Cracks
In order to create a painted driveway, you will have to ensure that any cracks on your driveway are completely repaired.
How you repair the cracks will depend on the size of the crack. Smaller cracks and holes can be filled with a concrete repair caulk. With bigger holes, however, you will need to fill it with a premixed mortar. Once the surface is dry, smooth and levels the area so that it is even.
Paint Your Driveway
Now it is time to create a painted driveway. If you are using epoxy paint, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to prepare and apply the paint. There are many tools you can use in order to apply the paint.
A good tool to use is a nap roller. This will ensure that the first coat is thinly and evenly distributed across all the small sections of the driveway surface. Make sure all section edges overlap in order to ensure a seamless coat of paint.
Once you have finished painting your driveway, make sure that you don’t walk across the surface for at least a day (24 hours). Make sure you don’t park your car on the driveway accidentally. This will allow the paint to dry completely.
Final Thoughts
A painted driveway is a great way to not only make your home more aesthetic, but it is also a good way to add curb appeal to your property. However, as you can see, painting your driveway yourself can be a complicated and involved process.
If you’re looking to hire a professional in order to paint your driveway, contact Xpedite Coatings at (713)365-0444 today. We are available to answer any questions that you might have!
