How to Paint Interior Cinder Blocks

Vacuum the cinder blocks to remove all dust buildup.

Mask off the floor beneath the cinder blocks with masking tape and painter's plastic.

Pour brick-sealing primer paint into a 5-gallon bucket.

Dip a paint brush into the primer until the bristles are loaded with paint.

Set up an A-frame ladder to use for painting higher areas.

Paint the border of the cinder block wall with the paint brush. Keep the brush loaded with paint throughout the process. Use the brush to paint the line around the wall. This line should be 4 inches wide.

Roll a small roller over the brush-applied paint to squish it into the holes and cracks of the blocks and mortar.

Slide a 1-inch nap roller cover onto a 9-inch roller frame and attach an extension pole to the end of the roller frame handle.

Hang a metal roller paint screen on the inner lip of the bucket.

Load the roller nap with primer. Dip it into the paint repeatedly and then roll it up and down the paint screen.

Prime the wall with the roller in up-and-down strokes. Press the nap into the bricks to squish the paint into the holes and cracks. Apply two coats of the primer.

Allow the primer to dry for 24 hours.

Clean the bucket and brush with water.

Pour the finish paint into the bucket.

Paint the border of the cinder block wall with finish paint. Do this as you did with the primer paint.

Replace the 1-inch nap with a new 1-inch nap, and apply the finish paint.

Roll the wall with finish paint. Apply two coats.