how to paint concrete wall

Do I need to prime concrete before painting it? I will try all of this on my bedroom wall. Next, use a paint roller to fill in the sections that you didn’t coat with the brush. Keep in mind that elastomeric paints are hard to sand off once they are on. Paint. Keep pets and small children away from your painting project. The concrete is quite porous and did drink up the paint. Be sure to spray water on it to help it set quicker. Paint used for this project is likely to stain your clothes. With proper preparation, painting surfaces like these can be simple, and the end result will be worth the effort. Make sure the area in which you are painting is well-ventilated. You shouldn’t use any paint not specifically designed for concrete. Use a roller if the stripes are thick or a brush if thin. Roll on a W pattern, and then fill it in without lifting the roller. By using our site, you agree to our. You will need a paint that is resistant to moisture and sun exposure. What is the most efficient way to do this? Use an extension handle to reach areas above the comfortable reach of the painter. When old paint on concrete walls are chalking, powder comes off and sticks to your hand once you touch it. Tape plastic sheeting to the wall. Ideally, the concrete paint needs a rough surface to adhere nicely. Expert Interview. To paint concrete successfully—so that it looks good and lasts a long time—proper preparation is of paramount importance. Painted walls will need all loose and peeling paint removed. To determine the proper ratio of TSP to water, read the package instructions, but figure on about one-quarter cup TSP to one gallon of warm water. Follow manufacturers recommendations and properly prepare your basement wall prior to painting. Painting interior concrete walls can add warmth to a basement at very little cost. Below is a quick list of all our top products. This paint is thicker and designed to be used on stone and concrete. Additionally, they may rub up against your wall while you are painting it. Putty knife in hand, scrape away any protruding lumps or bumps that appeared after the first coat dried. … TSP can harm skin and eyes if it makes contact, so be sure to wear full protective gear. By painting the walls or foundation, you increase the appeal of the space, but also it improves the moisture control from the wall. However, there are some things to consider when painting a concrete wall. Gerber Ortiz-Vega is a Masonry Specialist and the Founder of GO Masonry LLC, a masonry company based in Northern Virginia. Let the surface dry for two days before painting. Before adding your color, you need to use primer to ensure that the paint will stick. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Then paint the resulting new surface. It was very easy to understand. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Before considering the project complete, let the second coat dry for about five days, particularly if the painted surface is a heavily trafficked floor. When waterproofing basement walls with it, brush or roll the paint on thickly enough to fill all the little surface holes, then allow it to dry fully before a second coat is applied. Using a solution of trisodium phosphate (TSP) and warm water, clean the concrete floor or surface thoroughly, removing all the oil and grease that would otherwise discolor the paint job. You will need to use a masonry paintbrush or a texture roller … Gerber Ortiz-Vega. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. Following the sealer, you will want to apply a concrete primer. How To Stain Concrete. Are concrete sealer and paint sealer different? Best for Basement Walls. Allow it to dry for four hours or for the time indicated on the sealer … Bob Vila. Spray paint, as it's cheap, easy, and fast. Two coats of primer are … Attempt to get the sheeting as air-tight as possible. Clean it the best you can, let it dry, and then put on a sealer. % of people told us that this article helped them. Primer will help the paint to adhere to the surface and display a smooth, balanced finish. For best results, apply the first coat with a nylon or polyester bristle brush, the second coat with a brush or masonry roller. The fumes can be harmful to them. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Apply paving paint or porch-and-floor enamel, first to the perimeter and then the middle. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. After the primer is completely dry, you're ready to paint your concrete. Before applying anything, get a clean damp rag or brush to scrub the surface clean. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. New unpainted concrete block walls need to have all dirt and loose mortar removed prior to priming. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. unlocking this staff-researched answer. Step 1 - Clean the Surface. Work the paint thoroughly into the pores of the masonry, then back-roll the area. Unless you're an experienced painter, you may want to purchase extra paint … Start at the top of the retaining wall and apply the paint to the concrete, moving downward. How long do I have to wait before painting an outdoor wall that has been cemented? If moisture appears within the plastic, you will need to seal the wall. Sandblast the wall, or tear it down and build a new one. This article has been viewed 417,898 times. Do it in warm weather, though, and make sure the paint was removed before you stain the concrete. Clean the concrete thoroughly with trisodium phosphate (TSP) and warm water, then let dry. Receive free, no-commitment estimates from pro painters near you. Outdoor concrete paint is available for outdoor projects. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to choose and use the best paint for concrete walls … Apply 1 layer of concrete paint primer with a paint roller. Pour the paint into the … ", "It highlighted prep work I have forgotten, very helpful. So do I still need to prime or do I paint and seal only? In other words, don’t paint yourself into a corner of the floor! It blocks pores and/or forms a layer to prevent materials like water and salt from passing through. It seals joints and fills in cracks. Protect and preserve stained concrete areas including walkways, patios, basements, floors, garages and driveways. You can use a fresh coat of paint to bring new life to an old basement, an exterior masonry wall, brick, or even a garage floor. Gerber specializes in providing brick and stone laying services, concrete installations, and masonry repairs. Use a 2 or 3 inch wide brush to fill in areas around … How do I fix/paint an interior cement wall after the painting was already done? This article was co-authored by Gerber Ortiz-Vega. What kind of paint do you use on concrete walls? No peeling or holes just a hideous blue. Paint the Concrete Masonry paint (also called elastomeric paint or elastomeric wall coating) is a good choice for concrete painting because it contains binders that contract and expand with the … Allow paint … You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. If you find yourself having a lot of trouble getting the concrete to stick to the wall… The best type of paint for the concrete walls in your basement will include waterproofing and mold resistance. What do I do if the sand and cement in the joints of a block wall is rubbing off when I am trying to paint over the wall? Once again elastomeric paint is the best type of paint to use for exterior concrete walls though a premium 100 acrylic paint … What do I use to cover up rusty water stains on cement block basement wall that's already painted? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 417,898 times. ", "Steps and pictures were very easy to follow. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/Paint-a-Concrete-Wall-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Paint-a-Concrete-Wall-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/Paint-a-Concrete-Wall-Step-1.jpg\/aid1366878-v4-728px-Paint-a-Concrete-Wall-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":288,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":455,"licensing":"