Painting breeze blocks

[Anatol]

I have an intimidating amount of uncoated breeze-block wall to paint white - a 3,500 sq ft unit, up to about a 3m height.

Any recommendations for a combination of application method and product choice that will get it done quickly and effectively at a sensible price point?

TIA

Tol

[E31Shrew]

Rent a spray set up...

[Anatol]

We're a (vehicle) paint-spraying business, so we have the compressed air - but I'd rather not use our refinishing guns.

I can source a cheap, large-nozzle spraygun easily enough - but I'll confess to never having sprayed masonry paint before.

Any recommendations for a budget-friendly paint suitable for spraying?

Tol

[dilbert]

Anatol said:

We're a (vehicle) paint-spraying business, so we have the compressed air - but I'd rather not use our refinishing guns.

I can source a cheap, large-nozzle spraygun easily enough - but I'll confess to never having sprayed masonry paint before.

Any recommendations for a budget-friendly paint suitable for spraying?

Tol

I've seen spray painters designed for masonry work. They are different from your common or garden paint spraying system. Instead of propelling the paint with air, they actually pressurise the paint. You can then use heavy exterior masonry paint, pretty nearly without thinning.

It's more like a pressure washer where instead of water you have paint.

I feel certain you could hire such a setup from HSS, Speedy or Brandon.

Edited by dilbert on Friday 5th March 14:58

[Greg_D]

absolutely, i hired one of these to paint my garage, look on my profile and you can see the finish on the photo of my single seater, the only thing i would say is get a massive bucket because you won't half get through some masonry paint, 3 or 4 coats on a 1300sq ft virgin block walled garage took about 4 hours, but the finish is lovely and you won't need to brush finish it or anything. It's actually great fun once you are set up. Th rental was something like £50/day or £70 for 2

good luck

Greg

[Ray Singh]

Man up dude ! I painted my garage which is breeze blocks inside.
Used standard masionary paint from B&Q. First coat was 70%/30% water and then two coats of paint.

Used a large brush (creosote brush i think)- took a couple of weekends - but if your not in a hurry its worth the effort.

[Anatol]

I am in a hurry - this is a commercial building, and once we're in, every day it's closed for painting will cost us just about four figures, so speed is of the essence!

Thanks for the advice all, I think a trip to HSS and the local Dulux trade counter is in order.

Tol

[jas xjr]

spray it if you can. cannot think of a more soul destroying job if painting by hand

[Simpo Two]

Anatol said:

Thanks for the advice all, I think a trip to HSS and the local Dulux trade counter is in order.

Plus, if you have any white cars in, you can do those as well

[Greg_D]

looking at the volumes involved, 2 of you with a machine each would probably get it finished in a day.

HTH

Greg

[jhfozzy]

No sensible advice I'm afraid, but he's got the right idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9MAmWnOznI

ETA: I sprayed my garage and some external walls too, used a normal HVLP spray gun, didn't take too long to do.

Edited by jhfozzy on Friday 5th March 16:56

[jeff m]

I have a Campell and Hausfeld airless sprayer. It does half a gallon/minute.
It has a 50ft hose which is essential as it is very difficult to move with five gallons of paint in it, despite having decent wheels.
Cost about $400 in the States but I'm sure you could rent one.
They do take a lot of cleaning after use. If you rent one make sure it works properly before you take it, because if it wasn't cleaned well,it will not work properly. It should prime quickly and should send paint back to the pail/bucket when trigger released on the gun. Test with water obviously.

[ribenavrs]

a quick thought which no-one has mentioned yet

first coat should be a 50/50 ish PVA/water mix this will seal the blocks and prevent them sucking the paint up too much

oh and HVLP FTW

good luck and have fun

[Fatboy]

jhfozzy said:

No sensible advice I'm afraid, but he's got the right idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9MAmWnOznI

I've always wanted to try that - I reckon if you used a plastic freezer bag for the paint, hung off the roof you'd get a fairly even coat...

Never had a chance to test it though...

[Greg_D]

Fatboy said:

jhfozzy said:

No sensible advice I'm afraid, but he's got the right idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9MAmWnOznI

I've always wanted to try that - I reckon if you used a plastic freezer bag for the paint, hung off the roof you'd get a fairly even coat...

Never had a chance to test it though...

mythbusters has done it, the results were less than extraordinary

Greg