If you talk to a concrete sealer manufacturer about paint, most of them will cringe. Paint doesn’t bond to the concrete and it usually has issues with peeling and chipping. Most calls associated with paint have to do with how to remove them. This article will go over epoxy paints and which type of concrete sealer is the best type of sealer to use on exterior concrete.
Epoxy paint contains epoxy resins, they are just low solids versions of an epoxy coating. They have issues with yellowing, they don’t bond to the concrete, and they aren’t designed to stand up to extreme heat from constant UV exposure. Epoxy paints also require lots of work to maintain, repair, and recoat. If you were looking for a quick, easy, and affordable way to seal your garage floor, an epoxy paint may be a great option, but if you are looking to seal exterior concrete or pavers then you don’t want to use an epoxy paint. If you are looking to seal exterior concrete or pavers then you want an acrylic sealer.
Acrylic sealers are designed to enhance and protect the surface. They enhance with a wet look, low gloss, or high gloss finish, and they protect the surface against staining and deterioration caused by water absorption, surface spills, and surface abrasion. For more information on acrylic sealers, see Acrylic Sealer Reviews.
| Acrylic Sealer | Epoxy Paint |
| No surface prep required | Surface prep required |
| Lasts 2-5 years | Lasts 1-3 years |
| Easy recoat | Screen sanding to recoat |
| Won’t flake or peel | Will flake or peel |
| Won’t yellow | Will yellow |
| UV resistant | Not UV resistant |
I had to sand blast off an old epoxy paint coating from my breezeway door steps. Not fun, I guess hind site is 20/20. I like invisible products personally but the acrylic option would have been a much better than epoxy paint. At least with the acrylic, you can add anti skid material so you don't end up on your backside.
Solvent based acrylics look amazing, and they are very easy to maintain. When it comes time to touch up the sealer, you simply put more down. For exterior, it really is the best option.