Believe it or not, painting your driveway can add to the curb appeal of your home! However, before you grab any old can of paint from the shed, you might want to rad this article first. That’s because exterior paints made for painting brick and stucco, might not cut it for concrete driveways. So, what kind of paint do you use on a driveway?
Epoxy garage and concrete paint are some of the best types of paint you can use on your driveway because of its durability and ability to withstand the wear and tear of being driven over every day. With epoxy paint, you can choose a specific color to match the rest of your home, which will add curb appeal and increase your home value. Another popular choice for your driveway is masonry paint.
We will break down what types of paint are best for your driveway, as well as what steps to take to begin painting your driveway. We will also explain what you need to know before you decide to paint your driveway.
What Kind of Paint Do You Use on a Driveway
Garage and concrete epoxy paint is gaining in popularity for your driveway and is a great option to create a visually appealing and functional driveway that you can use for years to come. Epoxy paint is commonly applied in one layer and is created using two-part epoxy. Many people use epoxy paint for their garage and have begun to utilize the same material on their driveway as well.
Another popular choice is masonry paint, also referred to as concrete paint when it comes to painting their driveway. Masonry paint is specifically created to adhere to masonry and works well on driveways. Utilizing masonry paint ensures that you use a paint that can stand up against elements as well as the wear and tear of being driven over every day.
If you decide to use another type of paint, it may look good at first, but over time will begin to chip and crack from being driven over.
Many people love to use the same Rustoleum paint that you use in your garage because it is created to last and gives you step by step on how to complete the project successfully. Another aspect is that it is completely water and fade resistant, so once you take the time to put it down, you are good to go.
There are many types of concrete and garage floor paints for you to choose from, and each one is specifically made to adhere to concrete well. Two major paint manufacturers, Behr and Kilz, have concrete paint that many people have used on their driveways successfully.
How Do You Prep a Driveway for Painting
There are a variety of steps you must take before you start painting your driveway, and each one is crucial to the success of your paint. Skipping any of these steps may help your driveway paint last for a while, but then weather and the elements will begin deteriorating the paint. The initial process will help create a solid foundation for your paint to go on and allows it to seal properly.
Here are a few tools that you will need to do the job right:
- Leaf Blower
- Pressure Washer
- Painting Kit
- Paint Roller Extension
Clean your Driveway
Cleaning your driveway is an absolutely crucial step to take before you move forward painting your driveway. If you paint over the top of dirt, your paint will likely not adhere properly and will create a lot of issues later on down the road.
The best way to clean your driveway is to first remove any items like vehicles and planters from your space. Next, grab a leaf blower and blow off any large pieces of debris that are present on your driveway.
After that, you can then come in with a pressure washer to get rid of any dirt that is embedded in your driveway over time. Power washing your driveway is a great way to create a clean slate for your new paint to adhere well to.
Check the weather
The last thing you want to have happen when you are painting your driveway is to get everything ready to go, and then a storm rolls in. Any paint you add to your driveway will need time to seal, and having enough drying time is imperative for the life of your painted driveway.
Typically, once a driveway is painted, it can be walked on after a few days, and sunny weather helps it to adhere quickly.
Fill Cracks
If you have a lot of cracks in your driveway, you will need to fill them before you proceed with painting. Leaving cracks unfilled will leave behind an unsightly crack in your freshly painted driveway. It will also absorb paint into the crack, which will not make the best use out of your space.
There are various concrete fillers on the market that are simply squeezed into the crack, allowed to dry, and then painted over. You can use a caulk gun to fill the caulk in the hole and then allow enough over the top to smooth out properly. Make sure to smooth out the caulk well, so you don’t notice the hole was filled once you paint.
For simple fixes, I like to use Red Devil pre-mixed concrete patch! It comes already mixed in a squeezable tube and is super easy to use. No need to worry about a caulking gun!
If you have a huge crack or hole in your driveway, you can find a concrete repair kit that will help create a smooth surface for paint. After you apply the caulk, you must wait at least 24 hours for it to dry before painting the driveway, or you could run into issues.
How to Paint Your Own Driveway
Use Primer
In order to create a surface that paint adheres well to, you will next add a concrete bonding primer to your driveway. Primer is not necessary if you are using two-part epoxy. This primer is specifically created to make a rough surface, so the paint has something to grip onto.
Paint
After you have primed your driveway, you can tape off any parts that you don’t want painted and then begin painting. A lot of people tape off the bottom of their driveway to keep it from getting any paint on it.
When beginning to paint your driveway, you should make surer to cut in with a brush around your garage and other aspects of your home. Also, always remember to start at the top of the driveway and work your way down. You don’t want to get to the end of the driveway and be stuck.
Investing in a paint roller with a long handle will make this job a lot easier and allows you to stand up while you paint.
Many concrete paints say to let the first coat dry for at least a day and then come back with a second coat to give your driveway great coverage. Two-part epoxy will give you specific instructions to follow. For all other paints, you should then wait at least 72 hours before you drive on your freshly painted driveway.
Does Driveway Paint Last
Depending on the driveway paint you use, it can last a few years to five years. It all comes down to the type of paint you use as well as how good it is applied and adhered to the surface. Typically after five years, you may notice small chips and cracks, and you simply need to sand it down and apply a new layer of paint.
Make Sure Not to Paint Your Sidewalk
Finally, unless you want a visit from the city, you might want to think twice about painting that little strip of sidewalk that splits your driveway. I found this out the hard way!
Apparently someone in my community wasn’t too happy that I blocked the sidewalk for a few hours due to wet paint and reported me to the city.
To avoid being fined, I had to hire a pressure cleaning company to come out and pressure clean the area that I painted.
$150 bucks later and I was compliant!
Conclusion
When it comes to painting your driveway, there are various options that you can choose. The most popular option, because of its durability and reliability, is an epoxy garage and concrete paint. This paint is commonly used in the garage and creates a water and fade-resistant coating on the concrete. More and more people are using epoxy paint on their driveway to add a touch of style and design to their space.
