RUN
RUN is a street artist and muralist known for large-scale figurative work. For the mural My Many Hands, he described the challenge of translating the transparency of a watercolor sketch into a thick masonry-paint technique.
Paint Type
Masonry Paint
Masonry paint is a coating formulated for porous mineral surfaces such as brick and concrete, with products designed for interior, exterior, or both types of exposure.
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
Browse PaintZeal painter profiles featuring artists who used masonry paint, including examples of murals, architectural surfaces, and exterior coatings.
