Paint Type
Masonry Paint
Masonry paint is a coating for porous mineral surfaces such as brick and concrete, with formulas designed for interior use, exterior exposure, or both.
Masonry paint surface compatibility
Masonry paint works well on brick, concrete, and block that are sound and dry, while stone needs a product specifically approved for that material.
| Surface | Compatibility | Preparation | Primer | Finish | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brick | Excellent with a suitable masonry formula | Remove dirt, loose material, and efflorescence; make sure the brick is sound and dry. | Product-specific; some masonry paints are self-priming on prepared surfaces. | Choose an interior or exterior formula suited to the location and moisture conditions. | — |
| Concrete | Excellent when cured and properly prepared | Allow new concrete to cure as directed; clean it and create the required surface profile. | Use a compatible masonry primer unless the selected coating approves direct application. | Match the coating to walls, floors, weather, and moisture exposure. | — |
| Cinder Block | Excellent on properly prepared vertical block | Allow new block and mortar to cure as directed; clean, dry, and address water entry first. | Product-specific; porous block may need filler even when the finish is self-priming. | Match the product to above-grade, below-grade, interior, or exterior conditions. | — |
| Stone | Good when the product specifically approves stone | Make sure the stone is sound, clean, dry, and free of loose material or moisture problems. | Product-specific; some masonry systems approve direct application. | Match the product to interior or exterior exposure and the desired coverage. | — |
| Cement Board | Product-specific | Verify approval for the exact cement board, then repair defects and remove dust, dirt, and loose material. | Use the primer or base coat required by the selected masonry system. | Match the coating to the location, weather, and expected moisture conditions. | — |
Sources: Behr Masonry, Stucco & Brick Paint, Sherwin-Williams Loxon XP, KILZ Masonry, Stucco & Brick Paint, Rust-Oleum Whitewash Masonry Paint, and James Hardie Backer Board.
Painters who used masonry paint
RUN adapted a watercolor study into a dense masonry-paint technique for the large architectural mural My Many Hands, extending the image across a wall.
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RUN
RUN translated a transparent watercolor study into a thick masonry-paint technique for the mural My Many Hands. His account describes adapting the sketch’s openness to a large architectural surface, where the dense coating helped carry the figurative image across the wall.
Sources: Cambridge University Museums: interview with RUN, Comune di Ancona: RUN and the city’s street-art scene, and Street Art London: RUN interview.
Masonry paint articles