Dulux concrete paint is a range of hard-wearing acrylic and epoxy coatings for driveways, patios, paths and garage floors. The right one depends on whether the slab is outdoors in the sun or inside a garage taking hot tyres and oil.
This guide covers colours, finishes, the acrylic versus epoxy choice and the prep that stops peeling. It sits under our wider driveway paint guide.
Key points
- Choose a water-based acrylic for outdoor slabs and a two-pack epoxy system for garage floors, and always check the product label for the surface it is made for.
- Textured or non-slip finishes cost little extra and cut slip risk on slopes, pool surrounds and covered entries.
- Mid-tone greys and warm stones hide tyre marks and dust better than very dark or very light colours.
- Prep is the job: clean, degrease, repair, etch and prime in dry weather, following the label for every step.
Dulux concrete paint: what you can buy
Dulux sells water-based acrylic concrete and floor paints, epoxy floor systems and primers. Product names change, so confirm current options on the Dulux website or at a trade paint store.
| Product type | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic concrete paint | Driveways, paths, patios, pool surrounds | Needs a clean, sound, unsealed slab and a dry forecast |
| Epoxy floor system | Garage and workshop floors | Can chalk in sun and has a limited pot life once mixed |
| Concrete primer or sealer | Dusty, porous or patched slabs | Use the primer the paint label specifies |
| Non-slip additive or textured finish | Ramps, wet areas, steep drives | Holds more dirt, so it needs regular sweeping |
- Match the product to the place: an interior floor paint on an open driveway will chalk and fade in Sydney sun.
- Buy the full system: primer, base coat and topcoat from one maker are tested to bond with each other.
- Check the data sheet: it lists coverage, recoat times and cure times, which this guide deliberately does not repeat.
- Ask at the counter: staff can confirm which product suits oil-stained or previously sealed slabs.
Acrylic concrete paint for driveways and paths
Acrylic concrete paint is the usual choice outdoors because it handles UV and weather and cleans up with water. It is also the easiest for a keen DIYer to apply.
- Use two coats over a primer or sealer if the label calls for one, rolling thin even coats rather than one thick coat.
- Work in the shade or on a mild dry day, because hot slabs dry the paint too fast and leave roller marks.
- Cut in along edges and around garage doors first, keeping a wet edge as you roll.
- Add a non-slip additive in the final coat on slopes and entries, mixing it exactly as the label directs.
- Keep traffic off until the label’s full cure time has passed, not just touch-dry.
- Refresh wheel tracks every few years, since tyres wear acrylic faster than the rest of the slab.
Garage floor paint colours
Garage floors look best in mid-tones, because they hide dust, oil spots and tyre marks between cleans. The table gives a quick guide to what each tone does.
| Colour tone | Look | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Light grey | Bright, makes the garage feel larger | Workshops that need good visibility |
| Mid grey | Hides dust and light marks | Most family garages |
| Charcoal | Modern, hides oil spots | Showroom-style garages; shows dust and footprints |
| Warm stone or sand | Soft, blends with brick and timber | Open carports and entries |
| Coloured zones | Marks bays, benches and walkways | Larger workshops |
- Check colour in daylight and under your garage lights, since both change how grey reads.
- Test a patch in a corner before committing, because wet paint looks darker than dry paint.
- Match the wall colour by choosing a floor a few tones darker than the walls.
- Use a satin finish if you want easier cleaning with less glare under lights.
Textured driveway paint and non-slip finishes
Textured driveway paint gives a rougher surface that grips better when wet. It suits slopes, shaded drives and anywhere moss grows.
- Use a textured finish on any grade you would not want to walk down in the rain, such as a steep street frontage.
- Roll with a thicker nap roller to carry texture, and follow the label for coverage and recoat times.
- Sweep and hose regularly, because grit holds leaf litter and algae that make any surface slippery.
- Avoid very dark tones on sun-exposed slabs, as textured surfaces store heat and burn bare feet.
- Combine with a clear sealer only if the label allows it, since some sealers fill the texture and reduce grip.
- Keep shade-side edges clean, because moss grows first where water sits.
For help picking tones, see our driveway colour ideas.
Prep for Dulux concrete paint
- Sweep and wash the slab and scrub oil marks with a concrete degreaser used strictly as labelled.
- Remove loose paint and sealer with a scraper or grinder, and check the how to clean concrete guide for stains.
- Fill cracks and holes with concrete repair compound and let it cure for the maker’s stated time.
- Etch or grind smooth concrete to a fine sandpaper texture, wearing eye, skin and respiratory protection per the label.
- Check for moisture by taping plastic to the slab for 24 hours and looking for condensation underneath.
- Prime and paint in dry weather with no rain forecast during the label’s cure time.
Our how to clean concrete guide covers pressure washing and stain removal in more detail.
Dulux concrete paint vs sealers, stencils and other finishes
| Option | Look | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dulux concrete paint | Solid colour, flat or satin | Hides stains and patches |
| Concrete sealer | Natural or slightly wet look | Best on attractive slabs; see the concrete driveway sealer guide |
| Stencil pattern | Brick, slate or paver look | Needs a smooth base; see stencil concrete patterns and the concrete stencil guide |
| Exposed aggregate | Pebble texture | Painting hides it; read about exposed aggregate concrete first |
Common Dulux concrete paint mistakes
- Painting damp slabs traps moisture and blisters the film within weeks.
- Skipping the etch on smooth concrete leaves nothing for the primer to grip.
- Using one thick coat instead of thin coats, which cracks and peels at wheel tracks.
- Painting before rain or in direct hot sun, which causes bubbling and roller marks.
- Driving on it too soon lifts the paint, so wait for the full cure time on the label.
- Ignoring grip on slopes, which creates a slip hazard in wet weather.
Dulux concrete paint FAQs
Can you use Dulux concrete paint on a driveway?
Yes, if you choose a product labelled for exterior concrete that takes vehicle traffic. Prepare the slab properly, use the recommended primer and wait for the full cure time before parking. Garage-only products may chalk in sun, so check the label for outdoor use before buying.
Is acrylic or epoxy better for concrete?
Acrylic is better outdoors because it copes with UV and weather and is easy to apply. Epoxy suits garage floors that see oil and hot tyres, but may chalk in direct sun. Check each label, and consider a UV-stable topcoat if an epoxy garage floor gets daylight.
How long does concrete paint last?
Well-prepared acrylic on a sound slab usually lasts a few years before wheel tracks need touching up. Poor prep, damp slabs and the wrong product shorten that far more than brand does. Garages protected from the sun often last longer than open driveways.
Do you need to prime concrete before painting?
Usually yes, especially on dusty, porous or patched concrete. A primer or sealer that suits the paint helps bonding and evens out absorbency. Always follow the label for the primer it specifies, and check whether the slab needs etching or grinding first.
Where to go next
Read the parent driveway paint guide for costs and full prep steps. If you would rather have it done properly the first time, book a licensed painter in Sydney for an itemised quote.
