How to paint a retaining wall?

[hai2alex]

Hi,

I like to paint my retaining wall, it is from concrete blocks, filled with concrete and metal rods as usual with top capping, which has never painted.

Should I go for primer after power cleaning or to go for painting straight away that which has primer included.

Advice pls.

Thanks

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @hai2alex. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about painting retaining walls.

To successfully coat a retaining wall with exterior paint, you'd need to ensure no moisture penetrates through the wall from whatever is being retained. This means that the rear side of the wall should have a waterproofing membrane on it. Otherwise, the moisture buildup in the wall will eventually push the paint off the surface of the wall.

If the wall has been waterproofed, you are free to use any exterior paint, and no primer is required for a clean masonry surface.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell