what paint for cement blocks?

Question

A duplex buy and hold we recently purchased has a front stoop with side walls (the sides of the steps, about 2 feet high on each side) made of gray cement blocks. The house is white and I was considering adding some colorful shutters and painting the cement blocks white. Any suggestions for what kind of paint would be best and long-lasting? Thanks!

Jim Adrian · Answer

I second using a block filler when cmu has not been painted.  A block filler (surfacer) and primer are different. PPG and SW have good products.  SW Loxon product line will meet your needs.  If the cmu is painted then use a primer over block filler.   A block filler has a higher solid content typically to fill up the porous cmu cells which allows the 2 top coats to be applied at less thickness.

David Handel · Answer

For bare block you will want to use a block filler versus an all purpose primer.  I am a bit biased toward using PPG products like their 6-7 (http://www.ppgpaints.com/products/interior-exterio...) or 6-15 (http://www.ppgpaints.com/products/interior-exterio...).

The block is very porous, and these products are thick enough to fil it in and give you a sealed surface.  Using the wrong primer on block will not seal it up, and the following coats will continue to soak in like a sponge.  Once it is sealed, top coat it with a good quality exterior paint.

The PPG Paints store in Wooster will be able to get you all set up.

Jon H. · Answer

@Erin K.  I've used Sherwin Williams product

Pro-Cryl #6403-22699 Primer 5 gal

Sher-Cryl #6403-47969 top coat.  5 gal semi-gloss

It's a good quality water based paint.  Sherwin Williams has a 40% off sale quarterly if you sing up for their promotional e-mails they will notify you.

This product has best results being applied with a sprayer.  Most likely you will get a lower coverage rate of paint/sq ft if the block is porous.

Most locations have excellent reps to ask any questions.

To paint covered white fingers, best of luck

Erin K. · Answer

Thanks, guys - lots of helpful info in here.

Mike Hanneman · Answer

Prime first to save money on paint. Primer is cheaper and if the blaocks aren't painted already they will really soak up the paint. A sealer primer is what you will want to use first. Then you can use your standard exterior paint. Go to one of the big box stores or you'll be paying more. Behr and Valspar are rated just as high as all the other paints with their own stores.

Jon H. · Answer

@Erin K.  Talk with your S.W. rep they will line you up the appropriate products for your region and application.  If you talk with too many reps or vendors you'll end up with a lot of different opinions kind of like here on B.P.

Mark Gallagher · Answer

@Erin K. those products @Jon H. have mentioned are not really designed for the application you mentioned. If the cement blocks are already painted and in sound condition, you can go over with any exterior latex paint such as Sherwin Williams A-100. If they're unpainted, use Loxon Block Surfacer as a primer, with 2 coats of A-100.

Erin K. · Answer

Thanks @John H.

what paint for cement blocks?

Most Popular Reply