Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Painting cinderblock foundation

I just stumbled across this forum and think it will be a Godsend for me.

My question is about my outside foundation. It is a block foundation. It has been painted and some of the paint is peeling off. I want to paint it over the summer, but it looks like the cinder block was covered with something before it was painted. I've been in the house not quite a year and the house was built in the 50's.
Any ideas on what process/products I should use?

Welcome to the diy forums!

Generally block is either coated with stucco or blockfill [masonary filler/primer] before it is painted. You should be able to scrape or wire brush off any loose paint. A masonary latex paint will work but latex house paint is usually of better quality and will last longer. If the existing paint is chalky and the chalk won't wash off - add emulsa bond to your first coat of latex paint.

Thanks so much! Is there a way to tell if it is stucco or block fill? It should be easy to scrape or wire brush the loose peeling, oaint. I just wasn't sure how to "fill in" some of the spots where the paint is completely gone. I don't want it to look like I painted over some holes.

Block fill is a paint primer - it fills the pores of the block. You will still see all the struck mortar joints and individual blocks.

Stucco is massonary, basically a mortar mix that is trowelled over the block covering both the joints and the block. It can be finished in different textures. If the stucco veener is missing you will see raw cinder block in those areas.