[SML] Tips for Painting a concrete stage floor

[Stephen Rees]

Good morning,
You might best seek a concrete construction site on the interwebs about
this. The one thing I do know is that after a thorough cleaning with a mild
detergent like a Simple product, you would need to do a wash with muriatic
acid (while ventilating well)  and then allowing it to dry well. The acid
wash will put a bit of etch into the surface and remove any
contaminants that would keep the next finish from adhering. Am not sure
what this will do to the stain - I've only done this on bare concrete.

I guess the coating product would depend on how much wear on the floor is
anticipated. If you're rolling heavy items on steel casters as an example
then an epoxy coating might be preferred. If no heavy-duty use is expected
then I would think that a quality vinyl acrylic would work well.  Also, do
you anticipate repainting for every show or lay down a painted show deck
for each production? That would affect your choice.

I would stick with a flat final finish to reduce glare. If in the future
you need to have sheen to the floor surface, you could apply a gloss
product as part of a floor design at that time.  If you go with grey, let
it be a dark grey, not pale.

Good luck. Curious to hear what you decide.
Steve

Stephen E. Rees, Treasurer - Revitalize Dunkirk
Professor Emeritus of Theatre
CCE-CC Master Gardener Volunteer
716.366.0505 Home
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On Fri, Jul 3, 2020 at 8:16 AM Steven Mclean via Stagecraft <
stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:

> Unlurking...
> I am helping the producer for a startup theatre company with some
> infrastructure concerns.  The Players Circle Theatre  in North Fort Myers,
> FL began operations last December, but due to Fire regulation concerns were
> not able to occupy their theatre for their first 2 productions.  After a
> fairly successful 3nd production, the pandemic closed them down on opening
> night of the 4th production (Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime).
>
> Since the company received relief funds, I am on staff this summer and the
> producer has tasked me with several incremental improvements to the space
> (which is a converted party/ballroom).  Among the tasks is to explore
> laying down a durable dark paint surface over the existing stained concrete
> slab floor.
>
> I don't have experience painting on an existing stained & finished
> concrete surface, but suspect that I will need to sand down the existing
> surface to at minimum rough up the surface to create sufficient tooth for
> subsequent paint.  I plan on renting one of those floor sanding/stripping
> tools to take off the existing finish & then apply a paint afterwards.
>
> I'd welcome comments & suggestions concerning:
> specification on stripping equipment
> suggestions on how close to bare concrete the surface should be
> suggestions on type of paint preferred for stage floor finish (epoxy,
> urethane, acrylic latex, etc...)
> suggestions on color of floor finish.  I am accustomed to black, but the
> producer is leaning towards a dark gray.
> suggestions on sheen.  I have usually done flat, but would consider a
> slight sheen if other's experience suggests that would be better.
>
> Thanks in advance for any input.
> --
> Steven J McLean
> 515-480-8461
> stevenjmclean at gmail.com
> designandtechtheatre.wordpress.com
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