Painting patio slabs?

[harryandmarv]

After some thought, we’ve decided we just can’t afford a new patio this year so I’m thinking of painting the old concrete slabs (they are the old grey council style).

I’m thinking of a grey colour but there’s a few masonry paint brands out there. Sandtex we know doesn’t do a proper grey, their shades of ‘grey’ are too light or tend to look a bit blue.

Has anyone done this before? If so what brand/shade did you use & how has it faired? Would you be willing to post a pic? Thank you!

It's already grey, but you want to paint it grey ? Greys can be warm more pinky or cold like a hint of blue.

I'd probably just do some pots plants and soften the look. Is it laid tight together, could you put fine white gravel inbetween ?

My DM is doing this, hers are going white.
I personally wouldn’t go for grey, it’s too close to the original colour imo and - -really- - - -dreary- - - -and- - - -miserable- -

Why does the strike out never work for me?!

@harryandmarv can you post a pic ?

Are you sure? Have you pressure washed them?

@TheDiddlyGang

Why does the strike out never work for me?!

You only need - - (without a space) before and after the whole text you want to strike.

Ooh,

—Like this— ?

DAMN IT!!
😭

Yes, it worked

A friend is going to paint her's black. I suppose it depends what colour you go for but I think once done, you could be forever painting them as they could look untidy once the paint starts to wear.

I have never seen anything that has been painted that stays looking good. I think within the year you will end up with peeling or patchy patio stones.

It isn’t showing up as strike out for me. Maybe it’s because it’s on my phone?

Ah well, ignore me taking the thread off topic.
As you were everyone.

@TheDiddlyGang

It isn’t showing up as strike out for me. Maybe it’s because it’s on my phone?

Ah well, ignore me taking the thread off topic.
As you were everyone.

Nor me, you need these little dashes then no space so hello but without the space, on the mobile browse you can press the I next to the emoji and choose what you want hello hello hello hello

Wouldn’t you want garage floor paint rather than masonary paint? I wouldn’t think masonary paint would stand much wear before it starts to look rubbish.

I had ugly slabs in a previous garden. I put an edging stone round it and covered it in gravel. It only needs a thin layer. Furniture and pots stood on it fine and cos the gravel was a similar colour to the slabs it didn’t look sparse when gaps appeared. It did look loads better than the original slabs (grey and pinkish grey checkerboard).

Yes they’re grey already but at a guess they could be 30+ years old (the house is ex-council and was built around 1960’s) and these slabs are just the standard one side the council lay. So yeah they aren’t looking great and yes they are not level by any means, completely weathered. I just thought if I was to paint them they might look better. We’ve been here 7 years now & we’re doing jobs bit by bit as we can afford to.

They have been jet washed a few times over the years & yes it ‘cleans’ them, but nothing to the extent where you think, wow they look good!

We even thought about laying a new patio ourselves to save on costs but it’s still going to cost money we just don’t have.

If they're not stone then I think it really doesn't matter that they don't look brand new or wow, they are what they are. Rather than spend money and effort on paint, sell the slabs on Facebook and buy something you like instead. If they are imperial measurements rather than metric they can be sought after as they are no longer available.

How about stencils like this?

I don’t think painting grey concrete slabs grey is a fab idea either sorry. They are what they are and masonry paint isn’t designed to be walked on or have chairs scraped across.

Lots of pots/planters and maybe a nice big colourful outdoor rug under any furniture.

If the rest of the garden draws the eye enough you’ll stop noticing the patio so much as well.