Here’s a fun fact: every year, around a month before the famous F1 Monaco Grand Prix, a third of the streets that make up the track are resurfaced. F1 fans were wowed this year by learning that the last third had been redone in only two nights. Our driveway painting guide will help you turn your bump driveway in to a race ready service.
What does this have to do with driveway painting? Well, if they’d only repainted the surface, they could’ve completed it in one night instead!
Can you Paint Driveways?
You certainly can! Painting your driveways and paths doesn’t just make them look better, it can also extend their lifespan by a decade and more! You can increase the kerb appeal of your home starting from the kerb itself.
There are a few different types of driveway paint. The one you choose depends on what material your driveway is made of. The most common are:
- Concrete
- Block Paving
- Tarmac*
*Sometimes known as asphalt but can be slightly different compounds. High quality paint will work well on either.
There are also gravel driveways, but that’s a painting job that’ll take all summer! If you aren’t sure what surface you have, ask a professional for an evaluation.
The Best Paint for Driveways
We already have a blog all about painting concrete, so we’ll only skim over the techniques and recommended tools for concrete painting. Two coats of our concrete paint plus primer are all you need to rejuvenate a concrete driveway.
Block paving can be painted or repainted using stonework and brick paints. This can be a tricky job if you don’t want to paint the cement between blocks, but if you mark them with masking tape you can still use paint sprayers or large rollers. Outdoor masonry paint is ideal, silicate or acrylic depending on the finish and colour you like and the budget you’re working with.
Finally, painting tarmac can be done with our Drivemaster paint. It is water-based, bonding it to the more porous surface of your driveway and protecting it from the elements. Some people use stains instead of painting, but these never last as long as paint. It is available in black, charcoal, dark grey and rustic red.
If you want a bolder colour, you can use our acrylic masonry paint that comes in a wide range of colours and shades. Masonry paint works on a range of driveway compounds, so is a solid choice for painting yours.
How to Paint a Driveway
Compared to some exterior painting projects, a driveway is relatively straightforward. This makes it a good starting point if you want to decorate outside but are new to painting. However, even experienced painters should follow a guide for hints and advice.
What you Need
To get the best results, you’ll need the following:
- Paint
- Water-Based Primer
- Roller
- Paintbrush
- Degreaser
- Repair Caulk
- Tape
- Pressure Washer*
- Wire Brush
- Broom
*Not essential but will make cleaning the driveway much easier. Sponges and brooms will get a similar result but takes longer.
You’ll also need to choose when to start painting, a few dry days at least is essential.
With every new painting project, especially a large-scale one like a driveway, we recommend buying a new roller or set of brushes. Not only will this make getting an even finish easier but removes the frustration of dealing with sticky rollers and rock-hard brushes too.
When you’re ready to begin, move your car(s) and any other obstacles out of the way. You’ll need to keep the driveway unobstructed until the job is done, so make sure you have somewhere else to park for a while.
Part 1 – Cleaning
The first thing to do is get your driveway as clean as possible. Use your pressure washer to remove dirt and grime from the surface. If you don’t your paint and primer won’t stick and will result in an uneven finish, take your time to clean the full area.
Once the surface has dried, brush away any loose stones and dirt that is left behind. Do this after you apply the layers of primer and paint too.
For any patches of grease or oil stains, use degreaser to remove it.
Once the surface is clean, fill in any cracks and dents in the surface with repair caulk. This guarantees a faultless finish when the paint has dried.
Part 2 – Priming
Priming is less essential when painting a driveway, but we still recommend at least a single layer of water-based primer.
Mark out the edges of the driveway with masking tape or painter’s tape to prevent overlap and give you those professional-looking sharp edges.
Use a roller to apply a layer of primer or use a stiff broom to cover more ground. A roller will give a more even layer, but with some patience brushing will get a similar result.
A single layer of primer will help make the paint last longer and improve the final finish. A second layer will help even more but isn’t always necessary.
Part 3 – Painting
Now for the fun part. Clean your roller first (some paint thinner and white spirit does this best) and load it up with your chosen paint.
You’ll need at least two layers for an even finish, but that doesn’t mean you should rush the first. Any imperfections on layer one will show through layer two; take your time and keep it even.
Step 4 – Admire Your Work
When the second layer has dried, take a few steps back (being careful of traffic) and admire your rejuvenated driveway. How does it look?
If you used primer your driveway will still look great ten years from now, but if you have any spare paint, keep it stored for future touch-ups.
All that’s left to do is park your car, head inside and put your feet up.
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If you’d like to know more about interior and exterior painting, check out our blogs for tips, tricks, and guides about every type of painting project.
Please get in touch if you have any questions about our products or need any advice.
We look forward to hearing from you.
FAQ's
How long does driveway paint last?
On average, the best driveway paint will last for five years before it starts to look faded, or no longer repels water. If you keep the surface clean, you can extend this lifespan, but it isn’t guaranteed.
Is it better to paint or stain a concrete driveway?
Stain can offer more protection than paint, but it doesn’t provide bold colour the way a fresh coat of paint does. If you want your driveway to look better than new, paint is the way to go.
Is painting a driveway a good idea?
Ripping up and replacing a driveway is expensive and time consuming. Instead, give your drive a fresh coat of paint that makes it look better than new. With quality paint and the right painting guide, anyone can make their driveway look fantastic.
What colour should I paint my concrete driveway?
Muted tones like grey are most common for driveways. Some of these can have tinges of brighter colours like green and red, which make them stand out without being too bold. You should also consider what colours match or complement your home.
What is the best paint for driveways?
The best paint for your driveway depends on the material it is made from. Concrete driveways suit our concrete paint best, whereas our Drivemaster paint is ideal for tarmac. The surfaces differ greatly, so it’s important to have the right paint for the job.
What to do before painting driveway?
Before you start painting your driveway, you need to clean the surface as thoroughly as possible. Any dirt and grime will show through your paint, even multiple layers. You should also repair any damage, for the same reason.