How To Paint and Seal a Concrete Floor
Customers often ask us if we have products that work well as concrete floor paint. The answer is yes: RustSeal, KBS MAXX, KBS MAXX Clear, and DiamondFinish Clear all work great for this purpose. Which one to use depends on the conditions the concrete is subjected to and the look you want.
Benefits of Concrete Floor Paint
Why Coat a Concrete Floor Protection — pores and cracks in concrete let water, oil, chemicals, and road salt penetrate the surface, causing erosion and freeze-thaw cracking. A sealed surface blocks all of that. Durability — once sealed, the surface becomes tough, chemically resistant, and highly resistant to abrasion and impact, with little ongoing maintenance. Appearance — each coating brings its own finish, from glossy color to a crystal-clear look that shows off the concrete's natural texture. |
Which Concrete Floor Paint Should I Use?
The right coating depends on the conditions the concrete will face and the look you're after.
Which Coating Is Right for Your Floor? RustSeal — Best for: floors without regular direct sunlight Single-component moisture-cured urethane. No mixing ratios, simply stir and use. Extremely tough and resistant to abrasion, impact, and most chemicals. Finish can dull with regular UV exposure. KBS MAXX — Best for: floors with regular sunlight, faster cure Two-component (2K) polyaspartic topcoat with a base coat and clear coat in one product. UV stable, fast curing, low VOC and HAPs, with outstanding adhesion and opacity. DiamondFinish Clear — Best for: showing off the natural concrete surface Single-component, high-gloss moisture-cured urethane clear coat. No mixing ratios. UV stable and permanently flexible. Can also top coat RustSeal for extra depth. KBS MAXX Clear — Best for: maximum durability, low VOC/HAPs priority Same high-durability, high-gloss characteristics as KBS MAXX, without pigment. Two-component (2K), non-moisture-cured polyaspartic formula. |
RustSeal: How Much Do I Need?
RustSeal is applied to dry concrete with a roller in at least two medium coats, at a minimum of 2 mils dry film thickness per coat (4 mils total for two coats).
RustSeal Coverage • Smooth concrete: 200 sq ft/gallon for two coats (4 mils total). • Rough concrete: 120-140 sq ft/gallon for two coats (4 mils total). |
Full application directions for RustSeal as a concrete floor paint can be found HERE.
KBS MAXX: How Much Do I Need?
KBS MAXX is applied the same way, at least two medium coats at a minimum of 2 mils dry film thickness per coat.
KBS MAXX Coverage • Smooth concrete: 225 sq ft/gallon for two coats (4 mils total). • Rough concrete: 112.5 sq ft/gallon for two coats (4 mils total). |
Using RustSeal and KBS MAXX Together Because RustSeal costs less than KBS MAXX, some customers use RustSeal as a base coat and top it with KBS MAXX. Let RustSeal cure 24 hours, then lightly scuff with 320-grit sandpaper or a green Scotch-Brite pad before applying at least one medium coat of KBS MAXX at 2 mils dry film thickness. |
Full application directions for KBS MAXX can be found HERE.
DiamondFinish Clear and KBS MAXX Clear: How Much Do I Need?
Both DiamondFinish Clear and KBS MAXX Clear are applied to dry concrete with a roller in at least two medium coats, at a minimum of 2 mils dry film thickness per coat.
Clear Coat Coverage • DiamondFinish Clear, smooth concrete: 200 sq ft/gallon for two coats (4 mils total). • DiamondFinish Clear, rough concrete: 100 sq ft/gallon for two coats (4 mils total). • KBS MAXX Clear, smooth concrete: 225 sq ft/gallon for two coats (4 mils total). • KBS MAXX Clear, rough concrete: 112.5 sq ft/gallon for two coats (4 mils total). |
Full application directions for DiamondFinish Clear and KBS MAXX Clear on concrete can be found HERE, and detailed KBS MAXX Clear directions can be found HERE.
Preparing Concrete Before Coating
Good prep work is the key to any coating performing well over the long term. If your concrete is new, let it cure for at least 60 days before coating.
Step 1 — Clean • Sweep or shop-vac to remove loose debris, and scrape off anything stuck on. • Wash with KBS Klean, diluted to match the level of contamination, using a bristle brush or floor scrubber on oil and grease stains. Repeat as needed until water no longer beads on the surface. • Rinse thoroughly and let dry. Fill any cracks or pits with NuMetal Epoxy Putty or a similar filler if desired. |
Step 2 — Etch • Remove a thin layer of the surface with a muriatic acid wash or concrete grinding for the strongest adhesion. • Rinse well and let dry completely, using a fan or dehumidifier to speed drying if needed. • To check for residual moisture, tape a 2-3 foot sheet of plastic wrap over the concrete overnight. No condensation the next morning means the concrete is dry and ready to coat. |
Top Coating RustSeal or KBS MAXX Before applying a top coat over KBS MAXX or RustSeal, let the coating cure 24 hours, then lightly scuff with 320-grit sandpaper or a green Scotch-Brite pad. |
Adding Floor Flakes or Silica Sand
KBS coatings can be topped with floor flakes for a decorative look, or mixed with silica sand for extra traction.
Floor Flakes Add floor flakes to any of these coatings by sprinkling them evenly over the wet surface right after applying the coat, then let it cure. DiamondFinish Clear or KBS MAXX Clear can be used as a top coat to seal the flakes in place. |
Silica Sand Silica sand can be mixed into KBS moisture-cured urethanes, including RustSeal and DiamondFinish Clear. Make sure the sand is clean and completely dry so it doesn't interfere with the moisture-cure process. Mix at a ratio of 4 parts paint to 1 part sand. For opaque finishes, top coat the first coat with a sand-free coat to keep dark specks less noticeable. Re-coat once the surface is dry to the touch and leaves no fingerprint, typically 2-6 hours depending on temperature and humidity. |
Ready to Coat Your Concrete Floor? Choose RustSeal for a low-sunlight floor, KBS MAXX for UV stability, or a clear coat to show off the natural concrete. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best concrete floor paint for a garage? RustSeal is a great choice for garage floors that won't see regular direct sunlight, since it's a simple one-part product with no mixing. If the floor gets regular sun exposure, KBS MAXX is the better option because it's UV stable and won't dull over time. |
Can I use a clear coat on concrete instead of a colored paint? Yes. DiamondFinish Clear and KBS MAXX Clear both seal concrete while letting the natural surface show through. DiamondFinish Clear is a simple one-part product, while KBS MAXX Clear is a two-component polyaspartic formula with added durability. |
Do I need to prep concrete before painting it? Yes. Clean the concrete with KBS Klean to remove oil, grease, and dirt, then etch the surface with a muriatic acid wash or concrete grinding so the coating can bond properly. New concrete should cure for at least 60 days before coating. |
How much concrete floor paint do I need? On smooth concrete, plan for roughly 200-225 square feet per gallon for two coats at the recommended film thickness. Rough or porous concrete uses more material, closer to 100-140 square feet per gallon for two coats, since the surface absorbs more product. |
Can I add texture or traction to a concrete floor coating? Yes. Floor flakes can be broadcast into any of these coatings while still wet for a decorative look, and silica sand can be mixed into RustSeal or DiamondFinish Clear at a 4:1 paint-to-sand ratio to add traction. |
Ready to get your concrete floor coated? We can help you pick the right product for your project. Ships fast from Valparaiso, IN. Shop RustSeal Shop KBS MAXX Shop DiamondFinish Clear Shop KBS Klean Contact KBS Coatings |