How to Finish a Concrete Wall

Concrete walls are almost regarded as the standard for most building, and certainly all basements are made of poured concrete or concrete blocks. That's all fine and well, and if you like the look of raw concrete, then no problem. However, to do any type of painting or improvements to your concrete, it needs to be finished before you start. Concrete walls have their own unique properties, such as being porous or water absorbing, and will not be a good platform for paints or other top coatings, as moisture can get behind them and cause them to crack and peel. For best results, they will need to be finished.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paint roller with paint tray
• Concrete sealer
• Oil-based primer
• Paint

1. Seal the wall. Any concrete will need to be sealed before anything else can be done to it. So, unscrew the cap, pour your sealer into your paint try, dip your roller into it, and roll it on the wall. Work evenly around the room and expect to put on two coats.The sealer will need to dry fully before the next coat can be applied. Wait the prescribed time according to the can directions, but remember that in a damp basement, drying time might be considerably longer.

2. Apply your primer. Once the second coat of sealer has been applied and dried, the primer needs to be put on. Pour your oil-based primer into your paint, and roll it on. It should only take one coat, but if this is being done in a damp basement, two coats are recommended.

3. Apply any type of paint that you wish. Once your primer coat has dried, the concrete is finished. You may now apply a coat of paint, if desired, or any other type of covering, like plaster. The paint or plaster should stick without peeling, chipping or flaking.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you have adequate ventilation while you work.

References

• A forum on finishing concrete in various ways.