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Already Painted Concrete

Q. We have a deck that is concrete and has already been painted, at least once. How do we prepare it so we can paint it again CORRECTLY so the paint will stick and not peel off?

A. If the existing paint is peeling off, then you need to strip it completely. Since it's outside, I assume, the easiest way to remove it with a high power pressure washer. If the surface has a rough profile, then it's ready to paint again. If it's a smooth surface, then acid etch and neutralize to prep the concrete. Instead of painting with regular paint, I recommend a colored solvent based sealer. It will wear down over time, but will outlast paint. I know this because paint is much easier to remove versus sealer. You do have to reseal it periodically to keep it looking sharp, but it's a quick and easy task.