Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Painting cinder block walls

My garage has very porous cinder block walls. I want to paint them white or gray, but don't know what to use. I fear that the paint will just seep into the blocks and look lbad because they are so porous. I don't want to deal with having to apply 3-4 coats of anything either. What should I use? I was thinking of using DRY-LOCK paint that you would use in basements because it seems to have a very thick consistancy and might get the best coverage.

Should I just use a primer and then top coat it with masontry paint? Do I need a block filler? How easy / time consuming is that to apply?

My garage is 20' wide by 34' long with 7' ceiling.

Thanks in advance.

Whitwash is an inexpensive coating you can make to cover cinder block. Google "whitewash recipe" to find out how to mix. Most mixes consist of hydrated lime,salt, and water. Much cheaper than paint.

As a painter I have always used blockfill [block primer] for all above ground applications and drylok for below grade. Use a large nap roller cover and apply generously to fill the pores.

While blockfill or drylok are often left with no top coat both look and wear better with 1 additional coat of regular latex paint.

Is blockfill easy to apply with a roller? Is it real thick like drylock? Will one coat smooth out and fill in the blocks?

You probably have concrete block (normal weight or lightweight) and not cinder block, which are a different material.

Are you coating the interior or the eterior?

Are you trying to just get a different color or do you want to create a smoother finish with joints or a totally smmoth surface?

Dick

This is a townhouse. The first story is basically the garage, and the 2 story house sits on top. The garage walls are basically the BLOCK foundation walls for the structure. I am trying to finish the inside area (garage) because the blocks are dark and dreary looking. I want the paint to brighten up the room (white or gray paint) and also give a more uniform smooth finish than the raw, rough concrete walls that are there now.

Block fill is marginally easier to apply than drylok. Both are heavy bodied and take more effort to apply than regular paint. It is formulated to fill the pores of the block - works on both cinder and concrete block. One heavy coat [rolled out smooth] is sufficent to fill the pores.

It's a year later but I am finally ready to do the job. I am going to use one coat of block filler, and then a standard latex paint of my choice for a top coat. Thanks for all the input.....next up is epoxy coating my garage floor after the walls are done..but I will save that for another thread!

I got half the walls done with the block filler.....man that stuff is a real PIA to use. I had to brush it very thick and then smooth it out with a roller. It covered the blocks well but the surface is still very rough.....should I put a second coat on????

As for the topcoat, I am going semi gloss....should I use an exterior masonry paint or just a basic latex?

Not sure I understand about the surface being rough. Did the pores in the block get filled? did any dirt get in the block fill? Did you scrape off any loose mortar prior to painting? A block wall will never be slick like drywall.

The top coat can be most any type of latex paint. Both interior paints and exterior will adhere fine. Using exterior paints indoors isn't usually recomended. Exterior paint doesn't dry as hard as interior so it may not wear as well. Also exterior paint 'fumes' aren't supposed to be in an inclosed space. Choice of sheen is strickly personal - flat, satin, semi-gloss - all will do a good job.

Thanks for the response. The block filler did fill in the pores but the surface is still rough, I guess it is what it is...

I will apply 2 coats of regular latex semi gloss. I'll take pics once it's all done. Hope to finish by this weekend. Thanks again.