Are you thinking of painting your patio, but don’t know where to start? To start with, do you have the necessary tools, such as protective gear, tools, and the paint itself? Do you know how to get paint off slabs? Don’t worry, BC Paints have got you covered.
In this article, we’ll go through everything you’ll need and the painting process to get you one step closer to your dream patio.
How to Get Paint Off Patio Slabs
We know this article is all about how to paint paving slabs, but before you start, you need to remove the old paint. Even if you’ve already started the process and got some paint where you didn’t mean to, it’s worth knowing how to remove it.
It sounds like a big task, but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s how to get paint off patio slabs:
- For small amounts, remove the paint off the slab using a wire brush or a scraper for oil paint
- For large amounts of oil paint, use a paint stripper
- For large amounts in general, remove the paint with a pressure washer
How Long Will it Last?
If you clean, prime, paint, and protect your patio slabs properly, then your paint job could last for 3 to 5 years. We don’t recommend topping up your paint as it starts to fade as this could remove the paint. Instead, remove the old paint and restart the process if you want to rejuvenate your patio slabs.
What is the Best Paint?
We have a diverse range of anti-slip paving slab and patio paint, including the perfect primer for the job. Whether you’re looking to update your patio’s fading colour to a better suited neutral tone or liven it up with a funky yellow colour, we’ve got something for everybody.
What You Will Need
We urge you not to skip out on any of these precautions and tools as they keep you safe, alongside the following regulations. This PPC and equipment are recommended for your benefit:
- Goggles
- Ear plugs
- Mask
- Disposable coverall
- Heavy-duty shoes or boots
- Tarp
- Paint roller (with a long handle) and tray
- A stiff wire brush and/or scraper
- Pressure washer
- Patio cleaner
- Primer
- Paint
- Sealant
How to Paint Patio Slabs
Now you’ve prepared the necessary resources, you’re ready to start your patio renovations. But where should you start? Follow these simple steps to get your perfect patio:
Clean
Before you start painting, ensure all the old paint has been removed. After this, you can get started on cleaning and prepping your patio slabs for paint. This is where your handy patio cleaner comes into play, and if you’ve never noticed how dirty your slabs are, you’re about to find out.
So, what do you need to do?
- Put on your PPC (protective gear)
- Remove bugs, cobwebs, and fungus (use a wire brush for any stubborn bits)
- Clean the area using your patio cleaner or pressure washer until the dirt has washed away (any extra paint should lift too)
- Move furniture away from the area (far enough that paint won’t flick onto it)
- Try to prime and paint the same day or ensure the areas are still clean closer to the time you start painting
Cleaning your patio is a big job when you’ve never used a heavy-duty cleaner before. Therefore, we absolutely do not blame you if you don’t want to invest in a product you may not use often or don’t feel confident in using. To keep you safe, we recommend hiring a professional patio cleaner using Checkatrade.
Prime
What’s after cleaning? More preparation and then priming. If you don’t have tarp, you can use a blanket cover or any spare sheet you’re not using. Likewise, if you don’t mind a bit of paint on your grass or furniture, then you won’t need to cover anything (but we strongly recommend you do).
Some patio slab paints already include primer, so double-check if there’s already primer within it. There’s not really any harm in adding two layers of primer as it just further protects your slabs, but you may find it harder to remove the paint in the future.
What are your next steps?
- Wait until the weather is nice to start priming
- Double-check if your paint includes primer
- Cover the surrounding area, including furniture, with tarp
- Apply a thin coat of primer to the slabs with a paint roller
- Leave it to dry for 3 hours
Paint
Ready to start painting? This is the most simple step if you’re going for one block of colour, and we’re sure it’ll look amazing once it’s finished! This is how to paint patio slabs:
- Mix/stir the paint
- Pour the paint into the tray (make sure it’s clean)
- Start painting from the edge using the roller
- Leave it to dry for 24 hours
- Apply a second coat
- Leave it to dry for 24 hours again
You shouldn’t need a third coat, but if you find that the colour isn’t vibrant enough or it’s faint in some areas compared to others, add a third layer and leave it to dry for 24 hours again.
Protect
You’re just one step away from achieving your dream patio. So, what’s the last step? It’s now time to seal the paint and protect it from scuffs. If your paint already contains a top layer, then you can skip this last step. If not, here’s what you need to do:
- Buy a weatherproof, waterproof sealant
- Seal the paint with one even top coat using a different (or clean) roller
- Wait another 24 hours for the paint to dry
- Remove the tarp and place your furniture back onto your patio
Enjoy
Now you know how to paint patio slabs! All that’s left to do is enjoy your elevated space, be it alone, all cosy with a book and mug of hot coffee, or start up the barbeque with friends and family for a special birthday.
As a leading manufacturer of high-quality industrial paints, we’ll supply all the paint and accessories you’ll need for all your future DIY projects. We have a quick turnaround time of one to three days, even for bulk orders, across the entirety of the UK.
Contact us today to get started on your safe painting journey. Alternatively, give us a call at 01902 954 944 with any questions about our services.
