If you have any cinder block walls or cinder block accents in your outdoor fireplaces, flower gardens, and more, painting them is a project that most DIYers can easily take on. Learning how to paint cinder blocks is possible for anyone interested in giving those bare blocks a fresh, new look. Keep reading to learn how to paint a cinder block wall like a pro.
Prepping to Paint Your Cinder Blocks
You’ve decided to jazz up your cinder blocks by painting them—now it’s time to get ready for the project. The first thing you should do is figure out your paint colors, the paint type you want to go with, and how much paint you’ll need.
Choosing the Paint
The best types of paint for your cinder blocks are going to be acrylic latex paint and elastomeric paint. You can also go with milk paint if you’re looking for an option without any volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Be sure to buy interior or exterior concrete paint depending on if you’ll be painting indoors or outdoors. Elastomeric paint is best for areas with high moisture, including basements.
The color you choose will be entirely your personal preference. Some trending paint colors include taupe, off-white, and shades of gray.
You’ll also need to grab some concrete and masonry primer. And if there’s anything on the supplies and materials list that you don’t have on hand, put that on your shopping list so you can get it all done at once.
How Much Paint to Buy
To figure out how much paint you need, measure the length and width of your cinder block wall. Multiply the two numbers together to get the square footage. You’ll need to apply one layer of primer, and at least two to three layers of paint. It’s a good idea to grab an extra 1/2 gallon of whatever paint you choose to avoid having to run back to the store at the last minute.
Other Considerations
For outdoor painting projects, you should wait until a nice, sunny stretch of weather. The cinder blocks can’t be wet at all during the days-long priming and painting process. It’s also best to paint cinder blocks when it’s between 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Strip the Cinder Blocks
Photo: daniel_sanfe / Adobe Stock
If your cinder blocks have old paint on them, you should first strip the blocks. Since you’ll be using harsh products during this step, put on your eye goggles, a mask, and waterproof gloves before starting.
For indoor painting projects, open all the windows to create as much ventilation as possible. Also, spread plastic sheets onto the ground and cover any furniture.
Next, brush or roll the paint stripper onto the cinder block wall. Read the manufacturer’s instructions, but you’ll need to wait 15 minutes to an hour or longer after applying the paint stripper. After the waiting period, start scraping with a paint scraper. Use a wire brush to get paint out of crevices.
Clean the Cinder Blocks
There are a few ways you can clean your cinder blocks. You can use a masonry cleaner, or you can also mix 1/2 cup of trisodium phosphate with 2 gallons of water. When using chemical products, use eye goggles, a mask, and gloves.
Apply the cleaner to the cinder blocks, and scrub them with a nylon brush. Once you get the dirt and grime out, wipe down the wall with water.
For outdoor walls, you can use a pressure washer at 1,500 to 2,000 PSI. You can add masonry cleaner to your pressure washer for a thorough cleaning.
Once you’ve finished cleaning, wait around 48 hours for the cinder blocks to completely dry before moving on to the next step.
Seal Cracks
Photo: zimmytws / Adobe Stock
Seal any small cracks in your cinder block wall with a polyurethane caulk. If you have any significant cracks, use concrete instead. Mix up your concrete mix, apply the concrete with a trowel, and let dry for 12 to 24 hours.
Apply Primer
For cinder blocks, it’s best to use masonry bonding and filling primer. For basements and outdoor walls, use a waterproof primer. The primer helps to fill the pores of the cinder block surfaces and neutralizes the pH, which allows the paint to properly adhere to the wall.
Apply the primer with a roller and follow up with a small brush. Once you’re done, wait for 24 hours for the primer to dry completely.
Paint the Blocks
Photo: daniel_sanfe / Adobe Stock
Now it’s time to paint the cinder blocks. Prepare the paint if necessary (for milk paint, you’ll need to mix it up).
Use a 1/2-inch nap roller to start, and use a smaller nylon polyester brush to get all the small spots and crevices. You can also use a paint sprayer, but you’ll still need to use a hand brush to get the edges and corners.
Wait about 12 to 18 hours for the first coat to dry before applying the second coat.
You may need to repeat the steps for a third coat of paint. The goal is to get about 10 to 15 mil of paint on the blocks.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
For many DIYers, painting cinder blocks is a manageable project as long as they have the time to do it. It’s important to follow all of the steps and do it right, however, so you should be willing to learn or have painting experience.
If all the steps are too much for you to deal with or if you’re just too busy to add one more thing to your to-do list, hire an exterior painter near you. You can expect professional painters to charge $1 to $3.50 per square foot to paint your home exterior or $2.75 per square foot for the interior.
You might have other painting projects to get done around the house too, so this is a good time to combine projects. You can hire a pro to do all of it for you or add tasks to your DIY to-do list. This might include learning how to paint the foundation of your house or tacking on the cost to paint a garage door.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, cinder blocks must be primed before painting. Without primer, your paint won't stick to the surface of the blocks. You should use a bonding and filling primer which fills all of the small pores of your blocks. Once the primer dries, you'll have a smoother surface to work with and your paint will stick easily to the blocks.
For painting your cinder block walls, you should use a 1/2-inch nap roller. Depending on the square footage you need to paint, you might need a 3/4-inch nap roller. Besides rollers, you can also use a paint sprayer if you have one on hand or want to rent one.
To change the color of your cinder blocks, you have two options. You can either paint them or stain them. Either way, you'll be able to choose from a wide range of color options. Some popular colors for cinder block painting include off-white shades and gray tones, which add a modern spin to the traditional gray blocks.
Mizuki Hisaka is a freelance writer with 6+ years of experience. She's written for various companies, websites, and publications, including The Knot, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, The Inquisitr, and more.
Mizuki Hisaka is a freelance writer with 6+ years of experience. She's written for various companies, websites, and publications, including The Knot, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, The Inquisitr, and more.
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