Cinder blocks don’t look that brilliant. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that so many people want to paint them. But, what paints work? Can you use spray paint on cinder blocks?
Yes. You can use spray paint on cinder blocks. There should be no issues with it. The spray paint should remain perfectly visible, assuming that the spray paint has been designed for outdoor use.
Let’s expand on this a little bit. We are sure that you are itching to know the answer to many different questions that people have about painting cinder blocks.
Can You Spray Paint a Cinder Block Wall?
Assuming that your spray paint has been designed for outdoor use (where most cinder block walls are), then you should be fine using spray paint on it.
The spray paint should stick to the cinder blocks with ease. Remember, cinder blocks are quite porous, as are most outdoor concrete blocks. This means that the spray paint will just seep into the cinder blocks, assuming they haven’t been sealed. Basically, this means that if you do decide to paint your cinder block walls with spray paint, the spray paint is probably going to be there for the long term.
Do bear in mind that there may be a small amount of fading of the spray paint over time. This is perfectly normal. It is going to happen even with outdoor spray paint. This is because the weather is going to have an impact on the paint. Rain, wind, ice, and whatever else the weather does, is going to cause the paint to fade over time. However, it should never disappear completely.
How To Spray Paint Cinder Blocks/Cinder Block Wall
Honestly, spray painting cinder blocks is probably the easiest thing in the world. You grab your spray paint, and just spray away. Because concrete tends to hold paint well (because it is very porous), the spray paint should stick to it with ease. As we mentioned previously, there may be a small amount of fading over time, but this is not normally something that you need to worry too much about. The color will be sticking around.
The one thing that we do suggest that you do, however, is to seal the cinder block in some way afterward. You can use an outdoor paint sealer for this. It isn’t 100% necessary, but you will find that the color of the paint will fade a lot less. It also adds a bit of protection to the outdoor cinder blocks, which is also going to be great.
Once you have sprayed the spray paint on to the cinder blocks, let it dry. We suggest that you do the painting when it is a bit warmer outside, just because the spray paint will stick a little bit better. It will also dry far quicker.
Once the spray paint has dryed, you can paint the paint sealer over the top of it. Once this has dried, the spray paint is going to be there for the long term.
What Is The Best Way To Paint Cinder Blocks?
You can paint cinder blocks however you wish. One of the great things about cinder blocks is that paint tends to stick to it pretty well. You can use pretty much any outdoor paint.
The one thing that you want to make sure of is that the paint has been designed for outdoor use (where most cinder blocks are). You can use indoor paints on cinder blocks, but they are not weatherproof, which means that they are going to fade a lot quicker.
One thing that we do suggest that you do, however, is make sure that you use some sort of paint sealer on top of the paint (once it has dried). It is not strictly necessary, but it will ensure that the color stays looking fantastic for as long as possible.
As long as you are using a quality outdoor paint on the cinder blocks, then it is likely that the paint is going to stay looking brilliant for years and years to come. It won’t last forever, though. The weather will beat way on the cinder blocks, and it will eventually wear them down, and the paint will start to fade, eventually disappearing altogether.
Do Cinder Blocks Need To Be Sealed?
Not necessarily.
Cinder blocks are made from concrete. Concrete is a very porous material. This means that it has a lot of holes on it. It doesn’t matter what paint that you use, it will disappear into these small holes. This can make the paint incredibly difficult to remove once it has dried. Not impossible, just difficult to remove.
That being said, if you do want the paint to stick around for the long term, then we do suggest that you use some sealer. If you use sealer, it will add a bit of weather protection to the paint. This means that it is going to take a lot longer for the color to fade. It also ensures that the cinder blocks stay looking brilliant for as long as possible.
If you can, you may want to reseal the cinder blocks every few years. This will help to ensure that the paint that you have used stays looking for fantastic for years and years to come.
Final Thoughts
You can use spray paint on cinder blocks. In fact, spray paint is one of the most common paints for use on cinder blocks, assuming that you are not looking to completely cover the block. Other paints would be better for that as spray paint would take far too long!
If you do use a spray paint, you do not have to seal it. It should stick to the cinder blocks pretty well. Although, we recommend that you use sealer anyway, just for a bit of extra protection.
Spray paint should stay looking great for years to come. You do not have to worry about the color fading. Make sure to follow all my tips and recommended products to ensure your project turns out great! Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!