How to Paint a Concrete Driveway

Painting a concrete driveway is, in some ways, simpler than painting a wall because all of your efforts are directed downward. Nobody would blame you if you can't wait to get started.

1. Sweep your driveway thoroughly with a bristle broom. Patch any holes or scratches with concrete filler. Allow it to dry, then sand the surface until it is smooth.



2. Remove oil or grease stains by mixing ¼ cup of trisodium phosphate for every gallon of warm water in a bucket. Put on protective gloves as you work this solution into the stains with a bristle brush.



3. Rinse the driveway with a strong stream of water from a hose. Allow the concrete to dry for two days.



4. Wait for a cool day to begin painting your driveway, or get started early in the morning before the sun makes the concrete hot and the paint a little more difficult to work with. You might wish to apply one coat of a concrete bonding primer to your driveway. Similar to wall primer, it will grab the forthcoming paint to the surface and can produce a better result. Still, you may wish to skip this step if you're in a hurry.



5. Cut in the paint around the edges of your driveway with a wide paintbrush, just as you would do with ceilings, doorways and windows on a wall. This step will make the paint application a relative breeze.



6. Start at the top of your driveway and apply the paint in sections of about 2 or 3 feet, working left to right and then down. Keep a “wet edge” with the paint roller, just as you would if you were painting a wall.



7. Wait for the paint to dry and apply a second coat, if you wish, to deepen the color. Follow the directions on the paint can before walking or driving a car over your newly painted driveway.

Tip

If your concrete driveway is new, wait seven days before painting it with latex paint and 28 days before using oil-based paint. The latter might provide better coverage, but it also will take longer to dry, just like indoor paint. People who are truly in a hurry might prefer to apply the paint with a sprayer, but the result is usually inferior as the application can be uneven and erratic, even on days with mild wind.