1. How to Prepare & Coat an Interior Concrete Surface | Behr Paint

  2. Find how to prepare and coat a home interior concrete surface, including cleaning and etching, priming, and coating concrete in this guide from Behr Paint.

  3. how to paint a floor, painting a floor, coating a floor, preparing a floor, floor paint, floor coating, floor cleaning, floors

  4. Everything you need to know about painting, preparing, and coating a floor can be found in Behr Paint's how to guides. From cleaning to painting, Behr provides all the steps necessary for a professional finish.

  5. Before any coating is applied to a concrete surface, be sure to etch and clean uncoated concrete. Already coated concrete needs only to be cleaned. Once the concrete surface is clean and dry, apply CONCRETE & MASONRY BONDING PRIMER NO. 880 to any uncoated surface. For coated concrete surfaces, see the coating product label for primer recommendations.

  6. Using a rag, wipe off all oil and grease spills from the concrete surface. Remove all dirt or debris with a broom.

    TIP: New concrete must cure for 30 days before you can clean it or apply a topcoat.

  7. Pour CONCRETE & MASONRY CLEANER/ETCHER NO. 991 into a plastic watering can or a plastic pump sprayer. Using the sprayer, apply the product to the uncoated concrete surface area. Allow the product to remain on the surface for 10–20 minutes.

    TIP: For best results, apply the product onto a dry surface.

  8. Using a stiff bristled, non-metal brush or broom, vigorously scrub the concrete surface. DO NOT allow the surface to dry.

    TIP: Heavily stained areas or older stains may require additional treatments.

  9. Thoroughly rinse the entire surface with clean water using either a garden hose with a high-pressure nozzle or a pressure washer.

  10. Using a non-metal squeegee or mop, remove the excess water from the entire project area.

  11. Allow the area to dry.

    TIP: The surface is ready for priming when it feels like medium grit sandpaper and no residue or loose concrete remains.

  12. Pour thoroughly mixed primer into a bucket and dip a quality 2”–2½” wide nylon/polyester brush into the primer.

    TIP: Before you apply a surface coating to your uncoated concrete, use CONCRETE & MASONRY BONDING PRIMER NO. 880. This type of primer is specially formulated for uncoated concrete surfaces and will give the coating ultimate durability and protection.

  13. With your brush, paint (cut in) a 2”–3” area around the perimeter of the concrete surface. Start in a corner and continue along the edge of the wall.

  14. From the bucket, pour primer into a paint tray and work a roller into the tray until it is fully loaded with primer. For best results, use a ½”–¾” roller cover.

    TIP: For larger areas consider using a 5-gallon bucket and a bucket grid.

  15. Starting at a corner of the surface, roll the primer on to a 4’ long x 2’ wide section.

    TIP: Attach an extension pole onto the roller frame.

  16. Reload the roller with primer and continue to the next 4’ x 2’ section. As you go, roll back into the previously applied area.

    TIP: Be sure to roll over the cut in area as well.

  17. Repeat the process until the entire concrete surface is covered. Allow the surface to dry a minimum of 8 hours before applying a topcoat.

  18. Pour thoroughly mixed floor coating into a bucket and dip a quality 2”–2½” wide nylon/polyester brush into the coating.

    TIP: To avoid drips, tap off any excess coating against the inside wall of the bucket.

  19. With your brush, paint (cut in) a 2”–3” area around the perimeter of the primed surface. Start in a corner and continue along the edge of the wall.

  20. From the bucket, pour the floor coating into a paint tray and work a roller into the tray until it is fully loaded with coating. For best results, use a ½”–¾” roller cover.

    TIP: For larger areas consider using a 5-gallon bucket and a bucket grid.

  21. Starting at a corner of the concrete surface, roll the coating onto a 4’ long x 2’ wide section.

    TIP: Attach an extension pole onto the roller frame.

  22. Reload the roller with coating and continue to the next 4’ x 2’ section. As you go, roll back into the previously applied area.

    TIP: Be sure to roll over the cut in area as well.

  23. Repeat the process of painting sections and back rolling until the project is complete.

  24. Color Used: Sunning Deck No. PPF-13

  25. How to Prepare & Coat a Concrete Surface

  26. Follow these instructions to prepare and coat your interior concrete surfaces.
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  28. intconcretefloor_intro_image.jpg

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  33. Blue Background Image

  34. Intermediate DIY'er
  35. interior, repairs, concrete surface, prepare, coat, prime, floor coatings, degreasing, degrease, cleaning, project, floors, preparing, cleaners, Concrete & Masonry Cleaner/Degreaser No. 990, CONCRETE & MASONRY CLEANER/ETCHER NO. 991, Concrete & Masonry
  36. /printable/howto/how_to_coat__int_concrete.pdf

  37. Paint World

  38. Explore Paintworld<br><br>
  39. /Marketing/paintworld_ico.png
  40. image_swf
  41. /Behr_Common/Paint_World/main.swf
  42. layer
  43. 850.0
  44. 425.0
  45. For Best Results
  46. Before any coating is applied to a concrete surface, be sure to etch and clean uncoated concrete. Already coated concrete needs only to be cleaned. Once the concrete surface is clean and dry, apply CONCRETE &amp; MASONRY BONDING PRIMER NO. 880 to any uncoated surface. For coated concrete surfaces, see the coating product label for primer recommendations.<br><br>
  47. /howto/intconcretefloor_best_results.jpg
  48. How to Clean and Etch a Concrete Surface
  49. Step 1
  50. Using a rag, wipe off all oil and grease spills from the concrete surface. Remove all dirt or debris with a broom. <br /><br /><font face="Frutiger67Condensed">TIP:</font> New concrete must cure for 30 days before you can clean it or apply a topcoat.
  51. /howto/intconcretefloor_4bfccpopup.jpg
  52. /howto/intconcretefloor_4bfcc.jpg

  53. intconcretefloor_4bfccpopup.jpg

  54. Step 2
  55. Pour CONCRETE & MASONRY CLEANER/ETCHER NO. 991 into a plastic watering can or a plastic pump sprayer. Using the sprayer, apply the product to the uncoated concrete surface area. Allow the product to remain on the surface for 10–20 minutes.<br /><br /><font face="Frutiger67Condensed">TIP:</font> For best results, apply the product onto a dry surface.
  56. /howto/intconcretefloor_6bfccpopup.jpg
  57. /howto/intconcretefloor_6bfcc.jpg

  58. intconcretefloor_6bfccpopup.jpg

  59. Step 3
  60. Using a stiff bristled, non-metal brush or broom, vigorously scrub the concrete surface. DO NOT allow the surface to dry. <br /><br /><font face="Frutiger67Condensed">TIP:</font> Heavily stained areas or older stains may require additional treatments.
  61. /howto/intconcretefloor_7bfccpopup.jpg
  62. /howto/intconcretefloor_7bfcc.jpg

  63. intconcretefloor_7bfccpopup.jpg

  64. Step 4
  65. Thoroughly rinse the entire surface with clean water using either a garden hose with a high-pressure nozzle or a pressure washer.
  66. /howto/intconcretefloor_8bfccpopup.jpg
  67. /howto/intconcretefloor_8bfcc.jpg

  68. intconcretefloor_8bfccpopup.jpg

  69. Step 5
  70. Using a non-metal squeegee or mop, remove the excess water from the entire project area.
  71. /howto/intconcretefloor_8.5bfccpopup.jpg
  72. /howto/intconcretefloor_8.5bfcc.jpg

  73. intconcretefloor_8.5bfccpopup.jpg

  74. Step 6
  75. Allow the area to dry. <br /><br /><font face="Frutiger67Condensed">TIP:</font> The surface is ready for priming when it feels like medium grit sandpaper and no residue or loose concrete remains.
  76. /howto/intconcretefloor_15bfccpopup.jpg
  77. /howto/intconcretefloor_15bfcc.jpg

  78. intconcretefloor_15bfccpopup.jpg

  79. How to Prime a Concrete Surface
  80. Step 1
  81. Pour thoroughly mixed primer into a bucket and dip a quality 2”–2½” wide nylon/polyester brush into the primer. <br /><br /><font face="Frutiger67Condensed">TIP:</font> Before you apply a surface coating to your uncoated concrete, use CONCRETE & MASONRY BONDING PRIMER NO. 880. This type of primer is specially formulated for uncoated concrete surfaces and will give the coating ultimate durability and protection.
  82. /howto/intconcretefloor_16bfcc.3popup.jpg
  83. /howto/intconcretefloor_16bfcc.3.jpg

  84. intconcretefloor_16bfcc.3popup.jpg

  85. Step 2
  86. With your brush, paint (cut in) a 2”–3” area around the perimeter of the concrete surface. Start in a corner and continue along the edge of the wall.
  87. /howto/intconcretefloor_17bfccpopup.jpg
  88. /howto/intconcretefloor_17bfcc.jpg

  89. intconcretefloor_17bfccpopup.jpg

  90. Step 3
  91. From the bucket, pour primer into a paint tray and work a roller into the tray until it is fully loaded with primer. For best results, use a ½”–¾” roller cover. <br /><br /><font face="Frutiger67Condensed">TIP:</font> For larger areas consider using a 5-gallon bucket and a bucket grid.
  92. /howto/intconcretefloor_17.5bfccpopup.jpg
  93. /howto/intconcretefloor_17.5bfcc.jpg

  94. intconcretefloor_17.5bfccpopup.jpg

  95. Step 4
  96. Starting at a corner of the surface, roll the primer on to a 4’ long x 2’ wide section. <br /><br /><font face="Frutiger67Condensed">TIP:</font> Attach an extension pole onto the roller frame.
  97. /howto/intconcretefloor_19bfccpopup.jpg
  98. /howto/intconcretefloor_19bfcc.jpg

  99. intconcretefloor_19bfccpopup.jpg

  100. Step 5
  101. Reload the roller with primer and continue to the next 4’ x 2’ section. As you go, roll back into the previously applied area. <br /><br /><font face="Frutiger67Condensed">TIP:</font> Be sure to roll over the cut in area as well.
  102. /howto/intconcretefloor_18bfccpopup.jpg
  103. /howto/intconcretefloor_18bfcc.jpg

  104. intconcretefloor_18bfccpopup.jpg

  105. Step 6
  106. Repeat the process until the entire concrete surface is covered. Allow the surface to dry a minimum of 8 hours before applying a topcoat.
  107. /howto/intconcretefloor_20bfccpopup.jpg
  108. /howto/intconcretefloor_20bfcc.jpg

  109. intconcretefloor_20bfccpopup.jpg

  110. How to Coat a Concrete Surface
  111. Step 1
  112. Pour thoroughly mixed floor coating into a bucket and dip a quality 2”–2½” wide nylon/polyester brush into the coating. <br /><br /><font face="Frutiger67Condensed">TIP:</font> To avoid drips, tap off any excess coating against the inside wall of the bucket.
  113. /howto/intpaint2_1popup.jpg
  114. /howto/intpaint2_1.jpg

  115. intpaint2_1popup.jpg

  116. Step 2
  117. With your brush, paint (cut in) a 2”–3” area around the perimeter of the primed surface. Start in a corner and continue along the edge of the wall.
  118. /howto/intpaint2_2popup.jpg
  119. /howto/intpaint2_2.jpg

  120. intpaint2_2popup.jpg

  121. Step 3
  122. From the bucket, pour the floor coating into a paint tray and work a roller into the tray until it is fully loaded with coating. For best results, use a ½”–¾” roller cover. <br /><br /><font face="Frutiger67Condensed">TIP:</font> For larger areas consider using a 5-gallon bucket and a bucket grid.
  123. /howto/intpaint2_3popup.jpg
  124. /howto/intpaint2_3.jpg

  125. intpaint2_3popup.jpg

  126. Step 4
  127. Starting at a corner of the concrete surface, roll the coating onto a 4’ long x 2’ wide section. <br /><br /><font face="Frutiger67Condensed">TIP:</font> Attach an extension pole onto the roller frame.
  128. /howto/intpaint2_4popup.jpg
  129. /howto/intpaint2_4.jpg

  130. intpaint2_4popup.jpg

  131. Step 5
  132. Reload the roller with coating and continue to the next 4’ x 2’ section. As you go, roll back into the previously applied area. <br /><br /><font face="Frutiger67Condensed">TIP:</font> Be sure to roll over the cut in area as well.
  133. /howto/intpaint2_5popup.jpg
  134. /howto/intpaint2_5.jpg

  135. intpaint2_5popup.jpg

  136. Step 6
  137. Repeat the process of painting sections and back rolling until the project is complete.
  138. /howto/intpaint2_6popup.jpg
  139. /howto/intpaint2_6.jpg

  140. intpaint2_6popup.jpg

  141. <font face="Frutiger67Condensed"><font face="Frutiger76Italic">Color Used:</font></font> Sunning Deck No. PPF-13
  142. Bucket
  143. /equipment/2galbucket.png
  144. Broom (Stiff Bristle)
  145. /equipment/broom.png
  146. Brush (2”–2½”)
  147. /equipment/brush_nyl.png
  148. Bucket Grid
  149. /equipment/bucketgrid.png
  150. Chemical Resistant Gloves
  151. /equipment/chemicalgloves.png
  152. Extension Pole
  153. /equipment/extensionpole.png
  154. Hose
  155. /equipment/gardenhose.png
  156. High pressure Nozzle
  157. /equipment/nozzle.png
  158. Mop
  159. /equipment/mop.png
  160. Paint Can Opener
  161. /equipment/paintopener.png
  162. Paint Tray
  163. /equipment/painttray.png
  164. Paint Tray Liner
  165. /equipment/painttryliner.png
  166. Protective Apparel
  167. /equipment/protapparel.png
  168. Pump Sprayer
  169. /equipment/pumpsprayer.png
  170. Rags
  171. /equipment/rags.png
  172. Roller Cover
  173. /equipment/rollercover.png
  174. Roller Frame
  175. /equipment/roller.png
  176. Stir Stick
  177. /equipment/stirsticks.png

  178. BEHR PREMIUM<font face='Superscript'>®</font> Concrete & Masonry Degreaser & Cleaner No. 990

  179. Concrete & Masonry Cleaner/Degreaser No. 990-N
  180. /Behr/Marketing/Products/can_cuts/990_01_C.png
  181. 10150070000500000A-E
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  187. Brown Background Image

  188. BEHR PREMIUM<font face='Superscript'>®</font> Concrete & Masonry Cleaner & Etcher No. 991

  189. BEHR PREMIUM® Concrete & Masonry Cleaner & Etcher No. 991-N
  190. /Behr/Marketing/Products/can_cuts/991_01_C.png
  191. 10150070000500000B-E
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  198. BEHR PREMIUM<font face='Superscript'>®</font> Concrete & Masonry Paint Stripper No. 992

  199. BEHR PREMIUM® Concrete & Masonry Paint Stripper No. 992
  200. /Behr/Marketing/Products/can_cuts/992_01_C.png
  201. 10150070000500000C-E
  202. 1
  203. /Marketing/Page_Images/how_to_page_image_blue.jpg
  204. 0x7D999F
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  207. Blue Background Image

  208. BEHR PREMIUM<font face='Superscript'>®</font> Concrete & Masonry Bonding Primer No. 880

  209. BEHR PREMIUM® Concrete & Masonry Bonding Primer No. 880
  210. /Behr/Marketing/Products/can_cuts/specialty_1g_880_C.png
  211. 1015007000010-I
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  217. Brown Background Image

  218. BEHR PREMIUM<font face='Superscript'>®</font> Solid Color Concrete Stain

  219. BEHR PREMIUM® Solid Color Concrete Stain
  220. /Behr/Marketing/Products/can_cuts/specialty_1g_800_C.png
  221. 10150070000300000-I
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  228. BEHR PREMIUM<font face='Superscript'>®</font> Semi-Transparent Concrete Stain

  229. BEHR PREMIUM® Semi-Transparent Concrete Stain
  230. /Behr/Marketing/Products/can_cuts/specialty_1g_850_C.png
  231. 10204070000550000-I
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  238. BEHR PREMIUM<font face='Superscript'>®</font> 1-Part Epoxy Concrete & Garage Floor Paint

  239. BEHR PREMIUM® 1-Part Epoxy Concrete & Garage Floor Paint
  240. /Behr/Marketing/Products/can_cuts/specialty_1g_901_C.png
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  248. BEHR PREMIUM<font face='Superscript'>®</font> Protector & Waterproofer No. 980

  249. BEHR PREMIUM® Protector & Waterproofer No. 980
  250. /Behr/Marketing/Products/can_cuts/980_01_C.png
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  258. BEHR PREMIUM<font face='Superscript'>®</font> Wet-Look Sealer No. 985

  259. BEHR PREMIUM® Wet-Look Sealer No. 985
  260. /Behr/Marketing/Products/can_cuts/985_01_C.png
  261. 1015009600030-E
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  268. BEHR PREMIUM<font face='Superscript'>®</font> Low-Lustre Sealer No. 986

  269. BEHR PREMIUM® Low-Lustre Sealer No. 986
  270. /Behr/Marketing/Products/can_cuts/986_01_C.png
  271. 1015009600040-E
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  278. Explore Paint World

  279. Explore Paintworld<br><br>
  280. /Behr/Products/product_images/paintworld.png
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