How to Paint Concrete Floors to Achieve Faux Marble

Scrape any flaking paint on the concrete floor with a floor scraper. Sand the floor, so the paint will adhere better. Wash the floor with mild detergent. Use a degreaser if there are any oily stains.

Choose a water-based, self-priming concrete floor paint. Tape around the edges of the floor with low-tack tape. Apply the paint around the edges of the floor with the two-inch brush. Use a roller to apply paint on the remainder of the floor. Use two coats of paint for good coverage.

Use a tape measure to divide the floor into simulated squares or slabs of marble. Tape off between the tiles with 1/4-inch low-tack tape to create faux grout lines.

Mix a white glaze by adding white acrylic paint to a mixture of one part glazing medium and one part water. Mix a light gray glaze containing one part glazing medium, one part water, white acrylic and a small amount of black and raw umber paints.

Glaze the tiles with the white glaze, applying the glaze in quick strokes in different directions with a wide brush. Immediately brush on random, irregular stripes of gray glaze where you will be adding veining later on. Soften the appearance and blend contrasting colors in the glazed surface by dabbing with a clean rag.

Mix white, raw umber and black paint on a palette to make darker gray to add marble veining in the gray areas glazed in Step 5. Thin the paint slightly with gray glaze. Use a thin sign-painting brush to apply shaky, diagonal veins within each tile. Most veins should run in the same direction, but add several in the opposite direction for a realistic appearance. Remove the tape when the paint is dry.