Test to see if the previous coating was solvent or water based. Use a rag to apply xylene to the surface. If it lifts the previous coating, then a solvent-based coating was used. If there’s no material on the rag and the surface is gummy, then a water-based coating was used. 

Next, do a walk-around to check if there are any grease or oil stains.

1. If you have stains, apply Valspar Fast Prep Ready-to-Use Solution to those areas, scrub with a stiff brush and rinse with water.

2. Some stains may be a bit tough to get out, so you might need a second application and a bit more scrubbing.

After spot cleaning, look for cracks in the concrete. If you see any, use a patch and repair product to fill them in (optional).

If you want better adhesion on the topcoat, use Valspar Concrete Bonding Primer (optional).

Once you make sure the surface is clean and dry, it’s time to get rolling!

First, do a water test to see how much water the surface will absorb.

1. If it’s absorbed right away, that means the concrete is porous and the coating will easily stick to the surface.

2. If it doesn’t absorb water, then the surface needs to be etched.

Like previously coated concrete, you’ll need to walk around and check for grease, dirt and oil stains.

1. If you have stains, apply Valspar Fast Prep, scrub with a stiff brush and rinse with water.

2. If you’re having a hard time getting stains out, try applying a little more Valspar Fast Prep and scrub again.

If the surface isn’t water absorbent, use Valspar Fast Prep to etch it. Here’s how:

1. Wet the surface with a hose. Spread it out evenly so puddles don’t form.

2. Apply Valspar Fast Prep with a stiff bristle brush across the whole floor, then sweep the solution back and forth to make sure every part of it is covered. If it starts fizzing and bubbling, don’t worry, it’s perfectly normal.

3. When done scrubbing, rinse with water to make sure the solution and any residue are gone.

4. You may need to do this more than once tocreate a porous surface, but don’t give up! It’s all part of the process.

Let the surface completely dry before applying the coating.

1. If you find cracks in the concrete, use a patch and repair product to fill them in.

2. If you’re looking for better adhesion to the topcoat, use Valspar Concrete Bonding Primer (optional).

3. Once the surface is clean and dry, it’s time to roll!

Sweep the floor to get rid of dirt, peeling paint and other debris.

Clean the surface with Valspar All-in-One Wood Prep to remove any leftover dirt, stains, mold or mildew. After you’ve scrubbed it, make sure to thoroughly hose down the surface to get rid of any residue. After that, simply follow the instructions on the label and you’ll be good to go.

If you come across rough or repaired wood surfaces, smooth them out with 120-grit sandpaper.