Painting a rendered garden retaining wall

kmmr

Hi,

I am giving up on my builders ever finishing my job, so I am going to start DIY'ing what I can! So I need a bit of advice.

There is a long retaining wall in the garden, which is made from breeze blocks and then rendered. I think the only remaining job is the painting, but I don't know how to prepare the walls, and what type of paint (and primer/something under the paint?) should be used.

I am looking for a clean white finish, nothing fancy. There will be plants and earth behind, and there is no damp membrane... but hopefully I can get something that will last a while and will be maintainable! There is a good drainage channel running right in front of the walls.

Picture at:
http://clearlybuilt.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/paving.jpg?w=600&h=903

Thanks everyone in advance. There may be a few questions coming up as I really need to take back control of a build job that seems to have gotten out of control! I am going to do more things myself and just hope that I can get to the end of these frustrating few months!

ormus

sandtex masonary paint, or similar. no need to prime, just two coats if required.

kmmr

Thanks, sounds easy. I'll order it now, and hopefully will be done by the weekend.

NeverInDebt

I just painted a masonry wall last week two coats of Santex white lovely

kmmr

Hi again,

I went to buy this, and it came up with options! I hate options!

So, could you advise what are the pros and cons of smooth vs textured?

Also, any advice on how much I would need? Walls are completely bare, so will probably need two coats, and in total it's about.. hmm... 20m of wall.

thanks

KMMR

savemoney

Its really on taste kmmr

The textured finish is slightly rough feel.

Make sure walls are dry before painting takes an hour or so for paint to dry properly assuming is a dry day

If wall is bare two coats will be needed. Also remove any moss/algae if it has any with suitable mould killer

nickj_2

as it is new rendering it will require a thinned coat of masonry paint , and then a couple of coats to follow . i always use the smooth paint , the textured stuff is harder to keep clean and attracts dust and grime etc

kmmr

Nickj, how do I thin the paint? Apologies for silly questions, but I am really a DIY newbie (I rely on Dad and builders!)

LandyAndy

savemoney wrote: »

Its really on taste kmmr

The textured finish is slightly rough feel.

Make sure walls are dry before painting takes an hour or so for paint to dry properly assuming is a dry day

That could be a problem at this time of year.:(

I would have said you really need at least a couple of dry days and then paint it as late in the afternoon as you can.

savemoney

yes past few days have been fine

I applied some Thompson water seal 2 days ago on a concrete bricks for porch/bay window that needs dry conditions although that drys fairly quickly. Today its different and been wet and windy

It can still be done before Winter but clock is ticking. Op should really have started the other day

LandyAndy wrote: »

That could be a problem at this time of year.:(

I would have said you really need at least a couple of dry days and then paint it as late in the afternoon as you can.

latecomer

most paint will tell you about thinning it down - normally water for emulsion but something like this could need white spirit? Check with manufacturer if it doesn't say anything.