Drylok Concrete Floor Paint Reviews – Are They Worth It?

Both of the DryLok paints listed above have many similarities, like their drying times and maximum 2 coats, but there's one major difference between the two, their bases.

As the 21613 drylok concrete floor paint has a latex base, it has lower VOCs, and it’s GreenWise approved.

The 23813 paint is 1-part epoxy and 1-part latex, so it has more of an oil consistency and isn’t as environmentally friendly as our top pick.

Part-Epoxy paints are a lot more durable to weather elements, and the 23813 concrete paint is no exception. It can resist a lot more spills and stains and is UV resistant, unlike latex-based concrete paint.

We recommend DryLok’s latex-based paint for interior projects and smaller concrete projects outdoors. Whereas, the part-epoxy concrete paint will work wonders for driveways, patios, and floor side walks as it’s better for outdoor, heavy-traffic areas. 

One of DryLok’s biggest competitors is Rust-Oleum. Both brands have similar concrete paints on the market that are targeted to the same audience. I know what you’re wondering, which poured concrete floor and garage paint is better?

DryLok’s direct competition for their 1-part epoxy concrete paint is the Rust-Oleum Epoxy Shield. It has all of the resistance that DryLok offers (resistant to fading, chipping, and staining).

It can also withstand many of the same weather elements, chemicals, and even hot tire pick-ups. However, Rust-Oleum's product requires at least 5 days to cure, whereas DryLok’s 1-part epoxy paint is cured in 3 days.

As for the all-in-one concrete paint by DryLok, it's’ directly in competition with the Acrylic Paint+Prime Concrete and Garage Paint for garage floors by Rust-Oleum. Both products are great and beloved by users. However, the finishes are completely different, and so are the color options.

DryLok’s product dries with a semi-gloss finish, whereas Rust-Oleum's is a satin finish. There are more color options with Rust-Oleum's line of garage paints for garage floors, but they lack bright and fun colors.

Overall, both brands are rated highly among professionals and homeowners. They both have outstanding durability and adhesion properties, so the final choice is yours to make.

UGL Company is a home improvement company based in Scranton, PA. It was founded in 1932, and they released a range of products before introducing Drylok onto the market in 1953. At first, nine products were released with a unique formula to waterproof basement floor, protect and beautify interior and exterior masonry walls, and paint masonry floors.

Now, Drylok offers sealers, paints, crack fillers, cleaning agents, and more. The brand is America’s number one selling masonry paint manufacturer. It’s equally popular with homeowners and professionals as its product can be used in a wide variety of residential and commercial applications.

DryLok has created all-in-one concrete floor paints that are designed to seal, paint, and prime concrete surfaces. Drylok concrete floor paint allows the surface to be waterproof, stainproof, and sometimes even slip-proof. Each paint or tint locks out trap residual moisture and stands the test of durability and long-term effectiveness. To check for trapped moisture, affix a 12” x 12” piece of 3 mil plastic or aluminum foil tightly to the floor, taping it tightly along all four edges.

If you’ve got some fine, hairline cracks or you're working on bare and porous concrete, picking up some DryLock paint will be a great asset to you. These paints will penetrate within the concrete and will protect your exterior concrete surfaces from any further damage. 

Whether you’re looking for red, blue, green, or beige, DryLok has a great range of ready-mixed colors and tints to suit their diverse target audience. If you’re hoping to stick with a gray color that your concrete is already, then there are no worries! Most of their masonry paints will offer at least one shade of gray for you to choose from.

DryLok takes pride in their products, and their scientifically formulated paints correspond perfectly to this. They put a lot of thought into complying with all current VOC requirements, and many of their latex-based paints are Green Wise Certified. If you’re a customer who wants the best and eco-friendly paint for their home, then DryLok is an excellent match for you.

DryLok paints are easy to use on new or previously painted surfaces. If you get paint on any unwanted areas when you’re applying the paint on new and previously painted surfaces, simply use some soap and water to clean it up.

With every DryLok paint available to purchase, the brand has added a ‘How to’ video on their site. These videos will give you some tips for an easy and informative application process.

One of the most critical steps when painting concrete is preparing the surface. If there’s any dirt, wax, dust, mildew, or scaling material, you’ll need to remove these particles with a scraper and a hepa vacuum cleaner.

Then, you’ll need to clean the concrete with a heavy-duty detergent and warm water. The final step in the preparation process is drying the concrete completely before you even think of applying a drop of DryLok paint. If you paint to eliminate residual trapped moisture, the paint can bubble or even delaminate from the surface.

Once you have your concrete surface completely dry, it’s time to paint. You’ll need:

Start your painting project when the air and surface are at 50°F or higher and, for outdoor projects, wait for a dry and rain-free period. Apply your first coat with a 3/8 inch napper brush and allow the first coat to dry for 4 hours.

The second coat should be applied in a cross direction to the first coat, and you can use a roller for the second coat to speed up the process. Allow up to 3-4 days for the paints to fully dry. If you’re working in an area with high humidity, then the curing time may take longer.

If the concrete remains smooth, repeat the etching procedure. You can test the concrete porosity by sprinkling a few drops of water onto the surface in several areas. If you scrape, sand or remove old paint, you may release lead dust. Wear a NIOSH-approved respirator to control lead exposure or lead dust exposure. Dust can cause serious illness. You can protect yourself and your family by contacting the National Lead Information Hotline.

Schedule your project when both air and surface temperatures are 50°F or higher and, for best results, wait for a dry (rain-free) period. Remember, concrete acts like a sponge.

It’s clear that UGL has put a lot of love and thought into their brand DryLok. Their paints are not only made to work; they are proven to work.  

We do not doubt that the DryLok 21613 Latex-based paint will improve the appearance of unattractive cinder blocks, concrete floors, or masonry walls.