Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive

by Ron Joseph

October, 2009

Exterior Paint for Cinder Block/Cement House

Q. I have owned house for 17 years. Painted 3 times. Painters called it a stucco house. Well, I believe it is a cinderblock house with cement covering. Build by husband/wife, I believe in 40's. Since the last painting it has pealed terribly. Under the pealing is cement not stucco. This time I would like to have it done correctly. Can you give any suggestions.

A. I suggest you power wash the house to remove all the peeling paint. Ideally you would remove all of the old paint, but that might be impractical and/or too expensive. Allow the surface to thoroughly dry and then apply an high quality alkali resistant primer followed by two coats of a high quality 100% acrylic latex topcoat. Since you don't want to repaint anytime soon, I suggest you purchase a top-of-the-line acrylic latex. When you go to your paint store you will see a range of products, some less expensive than others. The less expensive ones are also generally the lower quality products. You get what you pay for.

Regards,

Ron Joseph