How To's: Paint-A-Patio™

Helpful Hints for Stenciling Patios and larger areas with overall design stencils

Supplies Paint-A-Patio™ Stencils Foam rollers Sea Sponges* one per color is easiest Stencil brushes one per color (for small designs and accents) Paint (appropriate to the surface) Paint tray, plastic plate or bowl *Not all sea sponges are alike. Look for one with a lot of small "fingers" on it. If mini sponges are desired, it is more economical to buy one large sponge and while dry and hard, slice it into smaller pieces, being sure to keep "fingers" on all pieces.

Shaded Spanish Tile: Pattern W5704 lends itself especially well to color variations for creating an interesting pattern.

Application and Usage Tips

Stenciling Tips

Things You Need To Know About Cement Paint

• Cement paint is not the same as cement stain. Stain is translucent and you cannot effectively put one color over another. Cement paint is opaque (although the degree of opacity may vary by manufacturer). High contrast colors may take more than one coat for complete coverage. Most cement paint is not recommended for garage floors.
  
  
• You can get a cement paint at most hardware stores. If you live in an area where the patio will receive a lot of sun, be sure to get cement paint that offers UV color protection. Not all do and if you put in this much work, you don't want your colors to fade. Any color can be custom mixed, just like with house paint. By using a paint instead of a stain, you can add highlights and shadows and do things like very realistic bricks.
  
  
• Do not paint cement that is, or has been, in direct sun or is hot to the touch. The paint will not adhere properly.
  
  
• Some cement paints can be slippery when wet. Special sand additives are available where you buy your cement paint. If you use them, be sure to keep the sand well mixed in the paint so that it goes on evenly.
  
  
• Cement paint does not require a sealer, it's built in. Using a sealer will only make it slippery.
  
  
• Unlike wall paint, cement paint should be allowed to cure for at least 24 hours between coats. Allow at least 3-5 days after completing your project before walking on it.
  
  
• If you are mixing your own color(s), always be sure to mix enough to complete your project.
  
  
• Use Patio Paints to add small details like leaves or paw prints across the finished patio. Most colors work well, but some may need a couple of coats for opacity.
  
  

Segmented Patio or Walk

• Use the square stepping stone BD5702 and straight brick W5701 patterns to achieve this customized look. Optional: stencil leaves, turtles, butterflies, etc. sitting on your stones.
  
  
• If you are doing a large area (more than about 10' x 10'), you may want to invest in 4 or even 6 of the same Patio stencils. Trim the margin from around the edge (a good idea even if you use only one), leaving only the design. Overlap the stencils so that the design repeats correctly and tape the top and back together and make one "super stencil". It will speed things up a bit. See picture below (the different colors shown, reflect the 4 overlapping stencils).
  
  
• For a square or rectangle area, you will have the least problems with design matching if you start in the center.
• After you have painted your "grout" base color, find the dominant wall (the one you would look at most). Locate the center and mark a line at right angles to the wall, across your patio. Repeat with the second most dominant wall. Be sure where the lines intersect in the center of your patio, is also at a 90 degree angle. If not, it means one of your walls is crooked and you will need to adjust your center cross line. It is usually better to move the second line you drew. A large carpenter's square is helpful for doing the measuring and squaring up and it really helps to have an assistant for this part, too. Take your time with this as it will make the final painting much easier.
  
  
• Begin painting at the center of the patio. Tape your "super stencil" in place with one corner of the design lining up with the crossed lines in the center of the patio. Be sure that you do not paint over the center lines you marked (leave them in the "grout" areas as much as possible). If you do need to paint over a center line, wipe off the chalk or pencil or whatever you used, before you paint that area. See picture below.
  
  
• Paint one quarter of the patio at a time. As you finish each quarter, come back to the center to begin the next quarter. If you have an uneven surface on your cement, or if the stencil has stretched (possible in warm weather), you may need to "fudge" a bit where the newly painted areas meet the previously painted areas. In a large area this will not show, and in fact adds to the "hand laid brick/tile" look of the patio.
  
  

Stepping Stones set in River Rock