What to Do About Garage Paint That Keeps Peeling

Moisture

• A vapor barrier should be installed before a concrete floor is poured, but this practice is not always followed. To test for moisture, tape a 2-foot square of plastic to the floor overnight. If there is any moisture under the plastic, paint will not bond well with the concrete. Apply a tinted concrete sealer instead of painting the floor.

Contaminants

• Leaks happen -- oil, gas, antifreeze or other contaminants left on the garage floor will interfere with the paint's ability to bond with the concrete. Use a commercial concrete degreaser to remove oil stains. You also may want to place a large tarp under cars or motorcycles before working on them in the garage.

Surface Prep for Unsealed Concrete

• Sand or strip off the old paint from the unsealed floor, and then clean it with detergent and water or trisodium phosphate (TSP) and allow it to thoroughly dry. Apply a commercial concrete etching product to the floor, according to the manufacturer's directions, prior to applying a concrete stain. Always wear eye protection, gloves and protective clothing when using etching products as most contain muriatic acid.

Surface Prep for Previously Painted Concrete

• Concrete that has been previously painted does not need an etching treatment. Scrape off the peeling paint with a wire brush or, if a large area of the floor is peeling, use a chemical paint stripper or sand off all the old paint. You'll need to clean the floor with a commercial concrete cleaner, detergent and water or a trisodium phosphate solution (TSP) which can be purchased at home improvement stores. After allowing the floor to thoroughly dry for a day or two, apply one or two coats of a high quality primer to the floor prior to repainting.

Choosing the Right Products

• Garage floors generally take much more abuse than other types of floors. Ordinary latex paints for porches or decks are not adequate. Look for paints specially formulated for garage floors. For best results, choose epoxy paints for a durable, long-lasting finish on concrete flooring.