Technically, yes—you can use concrete paint on wood, but should you? Well, that’s another story.
Concrete paint isn’t made with wood in mind, so unless you prep the surface like a pro (sanding and priming), adhesion might be… sketchy.
While some pros do it, you’re better off using paint actually designed for wood. It’ll stick better, last longer, and save you the headache of flaking regrets later.
What is Concrete Paint?
Concrete paint—also known as masonry paint—is specially made to stick to concrete surfaces like floors, patios, and driveways.
It’s not your average wall paint, it’s tougher, grittier, and designed to soak into concrete’s porous surface for a durable, often moisture-resistant finish.
It typically comes in three types:
- Water-Based – Quick-drying, easy to apply, great for indoor floors and walls.
- Epoxy – A hardcore two-part system (resin + hardener), ideal for high-traffic areas. Super tough… also super toxic and a bit fussy to apply.
- Mineral-Based – Best for exteriors and old-school charm. Breathes well, perfect for restoring historic buildings or just impressing your neighbors.
With masonry paints, it’s important to remember that wood and concrete don’t play by the same rules. Concrete paint is built to bond with cement-based surfaces. On wood, it might not stick as well or look as good unless you prep the surface like a pro.
And even then, it might feel off—like wearing hiking boots to a ballroom dance.
Benefits of Applying Concrete Paint on Wood
Okay, concrete paint isn’t designed for wood decks, flooring and furniture—but if you’re feeling adventurous (and well-prepped), it does come with a few unexpected perks:
1. Bug Off, Termites
One of the biggest wins? Protection.
Concrete paint can help safeguard your outdoor wooden decks, fences, or siding from pests like termites and carpenter ants who treat wood like a buffet. A solid coat keeps them out and your wallet safe.
2. Waterproof Warrior
Rain, snow, and moisture love wood—for all the wrong reasons. They rot it, stain it, and turn it into moldy mayhem. A layer of concrete paint acts as a barrier, helping to prevent water damage and extending your wood’s lifespan.
3. UV Shield and Cooler Interiors
Sun’s out, fade’s out. Harsh UV rays can turn your beautiful deck into a dull, cracked mess. Concrete paint blocks the sun like a pro, saving your wood—and your money—on repairs and refinishing.
Paint the outside of wooden doors or ceilings with reflective concrete paint, and you might just notice a cooler indoor vibe. It helps bounce off heat and gives your AC a little break.
How to Apply Masonry Paint On Your Wooden Deck?
Restoring your old weathered wooden deck, siding, trims, or outdoor wood furniture can be a lot of work, especially if you want to repaint them with masonry paint.
But it’s worth taking all the effort as it allows you to enjoy your warm sunny days with your family and friends during cold winters.
To ensure you get the best-desired results out of your project, here are a few key steps you should follow…
Step 1- Cleaning
Prepping and cleaning your surface is important, especially if it has old, peeling paint. But if your paint is in good condition, you will only need to clean the surface using trisodium phosphate (tsp) or a bleach solution.
PSP is good reliable degreasing and deglossing solution that can prepare the surface before painting. This will even kill off all the mold spores and will prevent them from occurring in the future.
Alternatively, you can wash the deck using a pressure washer; just make sure you use the right pressure to avoid damaging your wooden deck.
Step 2- Sanding
After cleaning the decking area, sand the wood evenly, covering all the surfaces as well as edges. If there is any peeling paint, make sure you strip them off whilst sanding the surface.
After you have sanded the surface, clean the sand dust using a clean cloth or a vacuum cleaner.
Step 3- Patch up Holes
Next, you will need to fix all the holes, dents, and cracks using wood filler. You can choose an oil-based filler or a paintable latex caulk to repair the damaged sections of your deck. After you have filled all the gaps, lightly sand the repaired area to achieve a smoother look.
Step 4- Prime the Surface
Choosing the right primer for exterior wood is important as it will help you to get a nice smooth finish. Other than that, an exterior grade wood premier like KILZ will also help in the adhesion of the topcoat.
When you have chosen the right primer, apply it with a bristle brush or a paint roller evenly on the surface.
Step 5- Paint the Decking Area
After you have allowed the primer enough time to dry, it’s time to apply the two coats of concrete paint to the wood surface. You can do this exactly by using a paint roller or a bristle brush as you have done with a primer.
And that’s it! Your decking area is now ready to have all the fun.
Can Concrete Stain or Floor Paint Be Used on Wood Decking?
The short answer is yes. Concrete stain on wood sounds wild, but it can actually work. It gives the wood a weathered, rustic vibe or a deep, earthy tone, depending on how you apply it.
Just know—unlike wood stain, concrete stain is usually acid-based and thicker. It doesn’t just sit on the surface; it chemically reacts and soaks right in, changing the wood’s color for good.
Pro tip: Always test on a small spot first. What looks like “charming patina” in your head might scream “oops” on your deck.
Concrete floor paint on wood? Yep, that’s fair game too.
Concrete floor paints come in oil- and water-based varieties, just like wood paints but they’re built tougher, made to handle heavy foot traffic and abuse. So, these are perfect for decks that double as dance floors or dog racetracks.
Just prep your wood properly and dilute if needed—straight-up concrete paint can be a bit… aggressive. Unless you’re into a “painted-by-a-concrete-truck” kind of finish.
What are the Popular Paint Brands Available to Buy on The Market?
Sometimes all it takes to breathe new life into your deck is a fresh coat of paint.
Paint is capable of covering up any unsightly blemishes and helping improve the overall appearance. It can also completely transform the space if you choose a bolder color.
Choosing the right paint for the job can seem tricky due to the fact that there are simply so many options out there.
Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, and Dunn Edwards are among the most popular brands you can choose from. These brands of paint excel in durability and won’t need to be constantly reapplied.
Sherwin Williams does have a slight advantage over Benjamin Moore and Dunn Edwards due to the ability of their paints to dry quickly. They also usually only need one coat of paint.
However, they are quite expensive at around $60 per gallon. On the other hand, Dunn Edwards has similar durability and costs only around $35 per gallon.
In the end, you’ll need to decide if cost or longevity is more important to you.
Final Thoughts
While it’s not the ideal partner for wood, concrete paint can still get the job done—just don’t expect a perfect match.
Think of it as a one-size-fits-most situation, maybe you want your wood surface to look like concrete, or you do not have a wood stain available.
No matter what wood item you are planning to apply the paint on, make sure you follow the right steps and prepare the surface well so that the finish will last for an extended duration without peeling and flaking.
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Hi, I am Mark Garner a professional carpenter, woodworker, and DIY painter. I live in the small city of Peoria, Arizona as a semi-retired woodworker. I have started this blog with a simple motive to help you with my wood experience in this sector. If you like to know more about what I love doing and how it all got started, you can check more about me here.