Rubber Paint for Concrete Floors

Rubber Paint for Concrete Floors from SILK PLASTER is a dust-proof and hard-wearing coating for concrete floors in garages, basements, workshops and warehouses. Below you will find surface preparation, application technique, coverage and long-term durability of Rubber Paint for Concrete Floors. Explore the full SILK PLASTER RUBBER PAINT range.

A concrete floor in a garage, workshop, warehouse or utility room takes abrasion, impact, contact with oils and standing water in stride - provided it is properly finished. SILK PLASTER RUBBER PAINT turns a rough grey slab into a smooth, water-resistant, attractive surface that is easy to clean and stands up to daily use.

Benefits for concrete floors

The elastic film does not crack with the shrinkage of concrete or thermal movement of the slab. The coating binds loose cement particles and eliminates the chalky dusting that plagues industrial floors.

The sealed film makes cleaning easier: spills do not soak into the concrete and dirt does not get into the pores. That is especially valuable in garages, wash bays and production areas.

Where it is used

Floors in garages and auto workshops.
Warehouses and storage rooms.
Basements and lower ground floors.
Bath-house floors (outside zones of direct hot-water contact).
Outdoor terraces and verandas with a concrete screed.
Plant rooms and boiler rooms.

Preparing the floor

Concrete must cure for at least 28 days after pouring. Clean the surface of dust, laitance, oil patches and any old finish. Degrease greasy areas; wash heavily soiled floors with alkaline cleaners and let them dry.

Grind off or remove weak top layers of screed. Open up cracks and fill them with a repair compound. Prime the floor with a deep-penetrating acrylic impregnation - it consolidates the substrate and lowers paint consumption.

Application technique

Apply two or three coats. Thin the first with 5-10% water and use it as a primer that fills pores and creates an adhesion layer. The second and third coats are applied undiluted with a short-pile velour roller.

Each coat needs 2-3 hours to dry before the next is applied. Full curing takes 48-72 hours, and during that time furniture should not be placed on the floor and vehicles should not be driven over it.

Working conditions

Indoor temperature should be between +10 °C and +25 °C, with humidity up to 80%. The floor must be completely dry before painting: residual moisture in concrete should not exceed 5%. Fresh screed must cure for 28 days.

Ventilate the room but avoid draughts - they can carry dust onto the fresh film. Do not apply paint in freezing temperatures or in unheated spaces in winter.

Coverage and use

Consumption is 200-400 g/m² in two coats, with the upper end typical for porous or unsealed screed. As a guide, 1 kg of paint covers about 5 m² in two coats. For garages and workshops, add a third coat where tyres and tools bear on the floor.

The coating is cleaned with water and neutral detergents. When wear appears, sand the area and re-coat - the new layer blends seamlessly into the old film.

Advantages on concrete floors

Compared with bare concrete, the floor stops dusting, is easy to wash and looks neat. Compared with epoxy self-levelling floors, rubber paint is much cheaper, needs no professional equipment, and stays elastic - it does not crack with concrete shrinkage.

Another plus is the sealed, non-dusting surface - a garage floor is much easier to keep clean.

Common mistakes on concrete floors

Painting fresh concrete (less than 28 days) - the alkaline environment breaks down the film from within.
Skipping grinding of a weak top layer - dust and laitance interfere with adhesion.
Ignoring residual moisture - the floor must dry to 5% or less. A 1 × 1 m plastic sheet left overnight will show moisture if the slab is still damp.
Loading the floor before 72 hours have passed - tyre marks and scratches will set into the still-soft film.

Frequently asked questions

Can underfloor heating be painted over? Yes, provided the heating is off for 24 hours before painting and stays off for another 72 hours afterwards.

Is the coating fit for a daily-use garage? Yes - three coats are ideal. Reinforcing strips can be added under tyre tracks.

Can the floor be cleaned with steam? Avoid hot steam cleaning. A damp mop is enough.

What if the floor has oil stains? Remove them before painting - degrease and, if necessary, take off the top layer of concrete. Paint will not bond to oil.

Rubber Paint by surface

See the full Rubber Paint product page for colours, pack sizes and technical data, or the step-by-step application guide.