Can You Use Masonry Paint Over Painted Walls?

Inspection

• Paint that is peeling from your foundation walls may be symptomatic of someone having used the wrong type of paint or improper application. If an interior paint was used, you'll need to remove all traces of the incorrect product from your masonry wall before you apply the masonry paint. However, simply covering a painted masonry wall that contains an earlier coat of masonry paint takes less time and effort.

Preparation

• Removing loose bits of flaking and peeling paint from your foundation provides a clean, smooth surface for your masonry paint. Sandblasting is a common procedure for removing paint from foundation walls. Wire brushes work well for scrubbing at the edges of cracking and peeling paint. You must clean the surface to remove dirt and stains. Washing the walls with trisodium phosphate helps to lift and dissolve substances that can cause poor paint adherence.

Primer

• Primers help cover the color and irregularities of previous layers of paint. They also help form a bond between the overlying color coat and the underlying surface. Use an acrylic latex primer that is labeled for use on masonry walls. Depending on the texture of your masonry wall, you may need to use a combination of rollers and brushes to work the primer into the grooves and rough spots. You must let acrylic paint dry thoroughly before moving forward.

Exclusions

• Although you can use most masonry paints over other varieties of masonry paints, you should not use them over ones that contain cement-based paint. If you didn’t apply the previous coat of paint and are unsure if it is an interior paint or if it contains cement, you should have a painting contractor examine the wall. Paint that peels severely indicates a potential problem with the original application. Applying masonry paint over inferior paint tends to result in future peeling and cracking. In this case, sandblasting the wall prior to painting can help ensure a long-lasting, durable finish.