I need masonry paint ratings. I have an old cinder block garage to paint. It has an old coat of paint on .?

I have no idea what kind of paint is on it now. We bought this place 25 years ago. the old paint has really held up well but needs redone. I can find nothing on ratings for masonry paint.I need masonry paint ratings. I have an old cinder block garage to paint. It has an old coat of paint on .?
hey zeke...





some manufacturers still make masonry coatings which are typically a water borne medium grade vinyl or vinyl acrylic blended resin...these products are generally a higher build, inexpensive version of house paints, but are recommended specifically for masonry substrates. the reason they're specific to masonry surfaces, and not wood, is due to the fact that these resins don't have the same ability to expand and contract as house paint resins do...from an asthetic perspective, these products do provide an economic alternative to the more expensive house paints but provide only minimal amount of protection to the surface.





because of new technology, new resins and increased usage in other types of sidings (metal, vinyl etc.), some manufacturers have quit making specific masonry sidings and recommend water borne house paints instead. these house paints - generally solid acrylic or high-in-acrylic content resins, outperform masonry coatings on so many levels it just doesn't make a whole lot of sense to continue the manufacture of such a limited use product.





acrylic house paints perform very well on concrete and masonry surfaces...in contrast to masonry coatings however, they have much better chalk and fade resistance...are naturally more mildew resistant...are more flexible (yes, masonry does expand and contract) and are generally easier to recoat with less surface preparation than masonry coatings. while masonry paints are usually less expensive than house paints - per gallon, you will experience a greater spread rate with house paints thereby lowering the cost per square foot in contrast to masonry coatings.





as is the case with all exterior paint projects, no matter what quality paint you buy...no matter how much you spend on a bucket of paint...no paint will perform properly if necessary and adequate surface preparation is not performed. in the case of re-painting masonry - most acrylic house paints are ';self priming'; when painting over existing coatings. make sure the existing coat of paint is tightly adhering to the substrate...if not, scrape, sand or power wash all loose, flaking and peeling paint from the surface then sand blunt edges smooth...make sure all chalk and dirt are removed from surface by power washing or scrubbing with a soapy detergent solution - then rinse with clean water to remove detergent residue. mildew, mold and algae can be removed by the same solution as described above but with the addition of 1 cup household bleach to the mix...scrub surface clean then rinse with clean water...repair any loose mortar and caulk areas where needed...





apply 1 or 2 coats of finish house paint (while 1 coat may cover, you'll get more than twice the lifespan by applying a second coat of product)





a final word of advice, buy the best products available to you - cheap paints will not last as long as quality paints...and make the job easier and better looking by buying quality tools (brushes %26amp; rollers) also - it'll make all the difference in the world.





i hope this info is helpful...good luck on your project





ric