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Can You Paint Over Redgard Waterproofing? (Explained)

RedGard Waterproofing is a protective layer that prevents cracks in tiles, stones, and sealants. So, RedGard waterproofing is pretty convenient and well-known to us. Applying RedGard is also an easy and fast process.

Since this layer is done over the tiles or stones, you might need to color the floor or the tile.

So, you might be confused about whether you can paint over RedGard waterproofing or not. Well, you have to know the advantages and drawbacks of painting over this waterproofing. If the paint doesn’t make the waterproofing less effective, you can paint it.

So, let’s see whether you can do it or not.

Can you paint over RedGard waterproofing?

You can paint over RedGard waterproofing. But the warranty of the waterproofing will be decreased after paining over it. Generally, RedGard waterproofing is effective on tiles, stones, floors, and different surfaces. But when you paint over it, the waterproofing will not be durable like earlier.

RedGard waterproofing is an effective layer of protection. They might have a warranty of years to a lifetime. Generally, they will give protection from water and prevent cracks from different surfaces.

But if you paint over this waterproofing, the waterproofing will not be warrantied anymore. Because paints make the RedGard waterproofing less effective. Moreover, if you don’t use any type of primer before applying the paint, it might damage the waterproofing.

So, painting over RedGard without using any primer is not recommended. Though you will see the paint is sticking temporarily, the paint will not last long. The paint will chip off quickly. Besides, it will also make the waterproofing chipping off from the surface.

But if you use a good primer, the paint might work over the RedGard waterproofing. You have to use a thin layer of RedGard waterproofing. Then you can use a primer and paint over the primer. But if the RedGard layer is too thick, the paint might not stick to it.

So, before painting the RedGard waterproofing, you have to fulfill these requirements. Sometimes, you might paint with the wrong paints. So, you have to choose a thicker paint like acrylic paint that can stick to the surface. Otherwise, thin paint will chip off quickly.

CUSTOM BLDG PRODUCTS LQWAF1-2 Redgard Waterproofing, 1 gal

Will paint stick to RedGard?

Whether paint will stick to RedGard or not depends on the applying process and requirements. Generally, if you want to make the paint stick to RedGard waterproofing, you have to apply a primer before applying the paint.

Moreover, the RedGard waterproofing needs to be a thin layer. Thus the paint will stick to RedGard.

But if you apply a thick layer of RedGard, the paint will not be durable on the waterproofing. Moreover, if you don’t use a primer before painting, the paint will not stick to the RedGard properly. The paint will start to chip off soon.

Another thing you have to consider is the thickness and consistency of the paint. If the paint is light, it will not stick to the RedGard waterproofing. But if you use thick paint like latex paint, it will stick to the surface.

So, you have to choose the paint wisely if you want to make it stick to the waterproofing.

3 reasons why you cannot paint over RedGard:

Generally, you can paint over any surface. But the thing is whether you can paint over RedGard or not. Well, you can’t paint over it properly. Because painting over RedGard has some drawbacks and requirements.

So, let’s see the reasons why you can’t paint over RedGard.

Non-durable:

Generally, when you paint over the RedGard waterproofing, the paint will not stick to the waterproofing permanently. The bonding between RedGard and paint is not good.

So, the paint will be non-durable. After some days, you will notice the paint is chipping off from the surface. When paint and RedGard are together, they can’t build a strong bonding, so the durability also decreases.

So, you can’t paint over RedGard for a durable finish.

Custom BLDG Products LQWAF3 Gard Waterproofing, 3.5-Gallon

Reducing warranty:

RedGard waterproofing is effective on different surfaces. Even this waterproofing has a warranty from years to a lifetime. But when you paint over the waterproofing, the elements of paint reduce the warranty of the waterproofing.

The waterproofing will no longer have a specific warranty time. The paint might chip off over the year. Sometimes, the paint will not last even a year because it doesn’t stick to the surface well.

Requirements:

Painting over the RedGard has some requirements. For example, if you want to make the paint stick to the waterproofing, you have to use a primer before painting on the waterproofing surface.

Moreover, the waterproofing surface will need to be thin. If the layer is too thick, the paint will not stick to the surface. So, fulfilling all these requirements might not be possible always.

How do you paint RedGards?

So, you might know now that painting RedGard is not that easy. You have to fulfill some requirements and follow a step-by-step process to paint RedGard well. You have to make the paint stick to the surface.

Otherwise, the paint will not be durable. So, let’s see how you can paint RedGard.

Clean the surface:

First, clean the surface well where you want to paint. You have to remove dust, dirt, grease, and other materials from the surface.

Apply the RedGard:

Then apply the RedGard waterproofing with a thin coat. Apply RedGard all over the surface where you want to paint. Otherwise, the paint will not stick to the surface and the RedGard will not be effective.

Apply primer:

After that, you have to apply primer. You can coat one layer of primer and one coat of paint on the surface.

Zinsser 02004 Bulls Eye 1-2-3 All Surface Primer, Quart, White

Another layer:

For making the paint more durable, you can add another layer of primer and then another layer of paint.

Dry the paint:

After painting the final coat, dry the paint well before using the painted surface.

Can you sand Redgard?

No, you can’t sand RedGard. Generally, RedGard is one type of concrete. You can’t sand concrete.

We sand a surface to make the surface smooth and bump-free. So, you might see unsmooth RedGard waterproofing. You might think that sanding the RedGard waterproofing will make the waterproofing smooth.

But you can’t make the waterproofing by sanding it. Moreover, you might want to sand the RedGard waterproofing before painting it. But you need a primer to make the paint stick to the surface. You don’t need to sand the RedGard before applying anything.

Can you apply Redgard over painted concrete?

Yes, you can apply RedGard over painted concrete. Generally, RedGard is a type of concrete layer that provides waterproofing. So, the RedGard will stick to the painted surface.

When you apply RedGard over painted concrete, you don’t need to apply primer because RedGard has a strong bonding that will make it stick to the surface.

Moreover, when you add RedGard, it creates a bonding with the painted surface. Moreover, it will create an extra layer of protection. So, you can apply RedGard over painted concrete.

How long can RedGard be exposed?

RedGard can be exposed for 1 to 1.5 hours. Generally, this is the curing time for RedGard. When you apply RedGard on a surface, you can’t cover the surface immediately. Besides, you also can’t keep the RedGard exposed for a long time.

So, you can expose RedGard for 1 to 1.5 hours. RedGard will be cured at this time. After that, you have to protect the applied RedGard surface for 72 hours from rain, direct sunlight, and inclement weather.

Otherwise, the RedGard will not dry properly and work efficiently. So, you can’t keep RedGard exposed for more than 1.5 hours. If you keep RegGard exposed for a long time, the waterproofing will not be cured and effective.

What paints can you use to paint over RedGard waterproofing?

Firstly, painting over RedGard waterproofing is pretty difficult. Moreover, you can’t apply random paint to the surface. This way the paint will not last long. So, for making the paint stick to the surface of RedGard waterproofing, you have to choose the right paints.

So, let’s see what paints you can use to paint over RedGard waterproofing.

  • Acrylic paint
  • Latex paint
  • Concrete porch and patio paints
  • Dulux paint

Final Thoughts

You can paint over RedGard waterproofing but it will not be durable. For making the paint durable and stick to the RedGard waterproofing, you have to apply primer before applying the paint. Moreover, if you keep the RedGard waterproofing layer thin, the paint will stick to the RedGard surface.