How to spray paint concrete pavers?

SamR2

Hello,

I’m thinking about giving these old pavers a spray with one of the outdoor Dulux concrete paints. The aim will be a light spray, to give it a washed out

white wash / lime wash look, rather than a solid white. I’d either choose a white colour or a light sandstone colour. The white dusting you see in the photos is just some sand I’m yet to sweep in.

anyone done this before? Any advice? I’d love to see some photos of anyone who has improved the look of this style of pavers.

MitchellMc

Hi @SamR2

From the photos, the pavers appear to be quite degraded on the surface. You can see what looks like the internal aggregate exposed, which usually means the top layer of the paver has worn away over time. With paving paints, the finish is only ever as good as the surface it is applied to. If the pavers are actively breaking down, painting them may only be a short-term improvement, as the coating can start to flake or peel as the surface underneath continues to deteriorate.

The other thing I would be cautious about is painting after sweeping in paving sand. If you spray the paint over the pavers at that point, you will also be coating the sand in the joints. Initially, this will make everything look uniform, but as the sand gradually washes or settles out over time, you may start to see the original sand colour showing through again, which can make the finish look patchy.

It is also worth keeping in mind that spraying will typically give you a fairly even and consistent coating. The “lime-washed” or antiqued look people often aim for with brick or masonry is usually achieved with a bagged application rather than spraying. Bagging allows the product to build up slightly and creates more depth and variation in the finish, which is what gives that softer, aged appearance.

It could still be worth experimenting on a small test area first to see if you like the effect, but the condition of the pavers may limit how long the finish lasts.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell