How do I re-paint back door cement steps

My outdoor cement steps are old, has spots of worn off paint, are dirty and stained,
I rent, so don't want to spend a fortune on them. What is recommended to prep them before re-painting? I've heard of a cement paint in a spray can....would you recommend that for my old, worn, steps?
  4 answers
  • Donna Donna on Apr 07, 2017

    Sorry I don't have the answer. I have cement garage steps that are also in need of painting. I hope someone can advise us, or we'll be at the mercy of those big box stores. Maybe a concrete stain would be better?

  • William William on Apr 07, 2017

    Before you do anything, make sure you have permission from your landlord in WRITING.

    http://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=painting%20concrete

  • Nancy Flemming Nancy Flemming on Apr 07, 2017

    You will need to scrape any flaking paint off, give it a good wash with TSP, rinse and let dry. You can then paint with a masonary (concrete) paint. You can create a pattern with several colours, my friend did hers in a brick pattern, by painting all one color, after it dried she taped it off with 1/4" masking in her brick pattern and dabbed several different colors to mimmick brick. As another reader suggested get the landlords permission in writing.

  • MRY MRY on Apr 07, 2017

    After you get (written) permission from your landlord to paint, clean & wash your concrete steps & let them dry very well. Tape off the entire area into 12 inch squares ( or a size that will fit equally into the steps) using painters tape, in a 1/4" width. Check with your hardware for an exterior paint that can go over concrete. Use any color you like. Personally, I 've used a clayish color that mimics Mexican saltillo tiles. Paint the squares in your chosen color. When this dries, use a dry rag to wipe a 2nd darker color in a brown or gray shade, along the sides & corners. The idea is to paint faux tiles. Remove the painters tape. After the squares have dried thoroughly, tape off the "grout lines" & paint them in another color of your choice. Remove the tape & when thoroughly dry, apply a clear coat or two of sealer over the entire surface. Make sure the sealer is good for exterior use.