How to paint a garage floor
Give your garage a new lease of life with a coat of floor paint
Painting the floor is an easy way to enhance the look and feel of your garage. Most garages feature rough, concrete floors that make them feel cold and uninviting. Whether you want to convert your garage for use as a gym, or just make it a more pleasant place to work, this guide will take you through how you can paint your garage floor.
What kind of paint should I use on my garage floor?
There are a number of different garage floor paints available. These are specifically designed to protect your garage floor from oil leaks and spills, whilst also not scuffing or scratching even after being driven over.
Garage floor paint colours
The colour of your garage floor can have a significant impact on the look and feel of the space, so it’s important to consider which is right for you. Grey is a popular choice for garage floors as it will hide much of the oil and dirt that can accumulate in your garage. However, if you want to brighten up the space or you don’t expect it to become too dirty, white is a great option.
Equipment list:
- Garage floor paint
- Stiff broom
- Pressure washer
- Concrete repair
- Masking tape
- Paint brush
- Telescopic extension pole
- Roller
Painting a garage floor:
- Clean the floor
- Repair cracks
- Cut in the floor paint
- Paint the rest of the floor
1. Clean the floor
Before you can begin painting the floor, you’ll first need to clear your garage. This is an ideal time to start that garage clear-out you’ve been putting off for years. It’s also important to remember that you won’t be able to access anything on your shelves whilst the paint is drying, so grab everything you might need. Once your garage is clear it’s time to start cleaning the floor. First, use a stiff broom to remove as much dust, leaves and any other debris from the floor as possible.
Next up, use a pressure washer to clear any remaining dirt from the concrete. Work from the back of your garage towards the front door to ensure you don’t push dirt onto areas you’ve already cleaned. If your floor has any stubborn oil or grease stains, you may also need to use a specialist degreaser alongside some extra scrubbing with a wire brush to shift them. Once you’ve finished cleaning, be sure to let your floor dry completely before moving onto the next step.
2. Repair cracks
Before painting your garage floor it’s a good idea to repair any cracks in the flooring. This will make painting easier and will help you achieve a smooth finish. One of the easiest ways to do this is using a pre-mixed concrete patch fill.
3. Cut in the floor paint
Before you paint your garage floor you may need to prime it first. Check the instructions on your floor paint tin to see if this step is required. To make painting your floor easier, we recommend painting the edges of your garage floor first with a paint brush. Known as cutting in, this process will allow you to paint larger sections much faster later on. If you’ve already painted your garage walls or you want to keep the current finish, you can use masking tape to protect them from any paint splatters.
4. Paint the rest of the floor
To paint the majority of your floor, you’ll need a roller and a telescopic extension pole that will allow you to paint the floor in a comfortable position. As you paint, remember to start in the far corner of your garage and work towards the door to prevent painting yourself into a corner.
Interlocking floor tiles
If you don’t want to paint your garage floor, interlocking garage floor tiles are also an option. These can help you quickly cover your garage with an attractive, heavy-duty surface. This is ideal if you want to convert part of your garage into a gym, or you want a more comfortable place to stand while you work.
Now you've finished painting your garage floor, complete the look with some new garage shelving, storage hooks and bike storage.