Q&A for How to Paint a Concrete Wall

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How do you waterproof a concrete wall?

Gerber Ortiz-Vega
Masonry Specialist & Founder, GO Masonry LLC
Gerber Ortiz-Vega is a Masonry Specialist and the Founder of GO Masonry LLC, a masonry company based in Northern Virginia. Gerber specializes in providing brick and stone laying services, concrete installations, and masonry repairs. Gerber has over four years of experience running GO Masonry and over ten years of general masonry work experience. He earned a BA in Marketing from the University of Mary Washington in 2017.

Gerber Ortiz-Vega

Masonry Specialist & Founder, GO Masonry LLC

Expert Answer

Apply a sealant to the concrete wall to prevent water from absorbing into the wall. The sealant will also prevent stains.

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Do I need to prime concrete before painting it?

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Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Yes, priming is an important step in painting concrete. Applying a coat of primer will help ensure that the paint sticks properly to the concrete surface.

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What kind of paint do you use on concrete walls?

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Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Staff Answer

Masonry paint or elastomeric paint is the best choice. Other kinds of paint are more likely to crack or peel when the concrete naturally expands or contracts.

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How long does painted concrete last?

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Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Staff Answer

If you prepare the surface properly and select the right kind of paint, your paint job can last for years or even decades. You may need to touch up the paint more frequently on exterior surfaces or in high-traffic areas.

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Question

Are concrete sealer and paint sealer different?

Community Answer

They are similar: paint sealer is used to form a hard coating on a light, porous surface, like paint or varnish. It seals joints and fills in cracks. Concrete sealer is applied to concrete to prevent surface damage, staining and corrosion. It blocks pores and/or forms a layer to prevent materials like water and salt from passing through.

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Question

My brick is indoor and it has already been painted. No peeling or holes just a hideous blue. So do I still need to prime or do I paint and seal only?

Community Answer

When you prime you seal at the same time. A good primer will seal and also hide the ugly blue color.

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Question

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?

Community Answer

Clean it the best you can, let it dry, and then put on a sealer. Let it sit to dry for a few days, then paint it. You can then put on another sealer made for after painting.

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Question

We are repainting an exterior concrete wall (fence) that was painted 4 years ago, because the paint is peeling. What is the most efficient way to do this?

Community Answer

Try a concrete stain. It soaks in and won't peel. Do it in warm weather, though, and make sure the paint was removed before you stain the concrete. You can also try priming the concrete with Zinser 123 and using an elastomeric paint that will stretch as the concrete expands and contracts with temperature changes. Keep in mind that elastomeric paints are hard to sand off once they are on.

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How do I fix/paint an interior cement wall after the painting was already done?

Community Answer

Sandblast the wall, or tear it down and build a new one. Then paint the resulting new surface.

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How long do I have to wait before painting an outdoor wall that has been cemented?

Community Answer

Usually, most cement takes 28 days to dry, at least by the standard procedure, but if you can't wait that long, then keep it wrapped in plastic for at least 7 days before painting it. Be sure to spray water on it to help it set quicker.

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Question

What is an alternative to rendering a concrete block wall?

Community Answer

Spray paint, as it's cheap, easy, and fast.

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Question

Can I mix paint with water when painting a concrete wall?

Brett Gilbert

Top Answerer

No, it doesn't really work. The wall has to be dry in order for the paint to bond.

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Question

How do I remove paint from an inside concrete wall?

Brett Gilbert

Top Answerer

Scrape it off with a metal paint scraper. To soften it, consider using a paint thinner. You can get thinners made for latex or oil-based paints, so you may need to experiment a little unless you know what kind of paint you're dealing with.

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