Charlie:
Tony from Springs writes us. He wants to know, “Tom, what is the best paint to use for an outdoor concrete patio?”
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Tom:
It’s going to be a deck paint depending what manufacturer you go to. I always say go to a paint store. I happen to have a Sherwin-Williams down the street from me. I used to have, years ago, a Pittsburgh down the street so I would go to them and say, “Hey, what’s the best product you have?” These people are educated when you work at a paint store, not an aisle 9 but at a paint store. Usually it’s going to be an oil-based deck paint. Whether it needs a primer or not, they’ll tell you depending on which one you get and it usually will hold up best to not only foot traffic but UV. You don’t want to use epoxies outside where the sun hits it so you’ve got to be careful in those things.
Charlie:
It’s got to change color in the sun like that, won’t it, doesn’t it?
Tom:
Well, it yellows. Epoxies will yellow so they’re great in garages but not where the sun is beating on them. So you want to go and ask … Know exactly what you want to do. Ask the people there. They will give you probably a couple of different options and it’s probably … My choice would have been an oil-based deck paint for concrete and other surfaces, too.
Charlie:
So helpful and informative this topic.
Tom:
Yeah. In other words, just go ask the guy at the paint store. I could’ve just said that.
Charlie:
That is not what you’re saying.
Tom:
No, but it’s true, though. That’s what I do.
Charlie:
The key piece of that advice is, go to the paint store.
Tom:
Absolutely.
Charlie:
Don’t go to aisle 9.
Tom:
Yes.
Charlie:
Unless, you enjoyed painting your deck and you want to do it again and again. Then, you know, aisle 9 might be the answer.
Tom:
Well, and then there’s certain things at aisle 9. You can get some spray paint to do your barbecue grill when spring comes up, you know, the heat resistant black paint, things like that.
Charlie:
Or tag your neighbors fence or something like that.
Tom:
You could do that.