How to Paint a Concrete Floor to Look Like a Koi Pond

Sweep the floor to remove all loose debris.

Scrub the concrete floor with a heavy-duty degreasing solution. A completely grease-free floor is essential for a durable finish.

Rinse the floor with water. You must remove all traces of the degreaser before painting. Allow the floor to dry thoroughly.

Use the paint roller to apply a thin, even coat of paint primer to the floor. Allow this to dry for as long as the manufacturer recommends.

Lightly sand the floor to roughen the primer.

Clean the dust produced from sanding.

Repeat steps 4 through 6 until you have three coats of sanded primer on the floor.

Run matching lines of black, white, green, and blue paint across one section of the floor.

Working in sections, use a damp paintbrush and carefully blend the colors together. Avoid over-blending the paint or you will end up with a solid color instead of a water-like design.

Repeat steps 8 and 9 until the entire floor is painted.

Allow the floor to dry.

Use a stencil or freehand pictures of stones throughout the floor. Black, white, gray, green, and brown are good colors for stonework. Use a small, damp paintbrush to blend the stone colors together.

Use a stencil to paint your koi. Dab your choice of colored paint on in thin layers, building up the color as you go. A small paintbrush is good for detailing scales.

Use a liner brush to add a light wash of black around the fish and edges of the stonework. This will make the artwork “pop.”

Allow the floor to dry and cure. The timeframe will vary between paint brands -- read the instruction label.

Apply three thin coats of high-gloss sealant to the floor. Allow each coat to dry before adding the next. Allow the floor to dry completely.

Apply a thin layer of good-quality floor wax to protect your art.