Cinder Block

[method1080]

I'm really new at this. I invision a video game mural/montage of various characters on my basement wall. (cinder block) I plan to draw an outline on paper and use an art projector to get the image onto the wall. Any insight or candid response is MUCH appreciated.

[ArtWorld]

First of all welcome to the forum. Does the wall have a base coat of paint on it or is it straight block? There are so many holes in the cinder-block walls that it is good to have a nice caked on base coat to work off of.

Brad

[method1080]

It's painted white. Still pretty porus. I will put a base coat of primer on it first. I am currently researching airbrushes and products to buy. Should I buy new or used? Is my 135 psi electric air compressor o.k. to use? Will water base paint work well on cinder block? I will need to practice a lot before I tackle this, but I am creative, with an artistic edge, so I am up to the time investment. I'm really excited to get started. Hope you don't mind me picking your brains.

[Kaiilla]

You might want to put a layer of drywall mud on it (thin) that way you'll have a smooth surface to work on. The rough surface will give you problems unless you are doing a pretty large scale.

I did a mural of video game characters for my son's game room (his older brother moved out for college) and even though it was only slightly textured it was a problem.

[aixguy]

First off, if you are planning on painting a big mural, like 4x4 you will be better off with paint burshes. An airbursh has a spray width of about 1" round. Mural guys use brushes, rollers, big spray guns and then the air brush for the detail at the end of the job.
Painting block with a roller is a pia, I would put up ferring strips and drywall or launa, prime then do your art work.
Good luck!

[KDSilverBrush]

first, drywall mud will not hold, if it's in a basement, it will retain moisture and fall off in clumps. If your going to cover the brick with a smooth surface, your gonna have to metal lathe the wall, then mud over that, by mud I mean a mix of 3 part corse sand and one part cement and one part lime. you can spread it on the lathe with a hawk and trowel, scratch the first coat and let it dry, second coat can be smoothed on over that. THEN you can paint on a smooth surface ( whew) lol
OR.... you can use PL, comes in a tube, be generous, squirt it on the wall, apply sheet rock and brace it up over night, then tape and bed the joints and paint or primer it, and you'll have a smooth surface to ab on .

[Kaiilla]

OOps. I keep forgetting that the rest of you don't live in Good ol' dry Arizona.

Around here the drywall mud thing works great. The only reason you want to put it on this is to reduce sanding.

I can see definate problems where you have humidity to deal with. Heck we pretty much don't have basements and homes here are built directly on 6" concrete slabs with no crawl spaces. Our house would probably fall apart in 10 years anywhere else.

[yardartnut]

Lotsa good tips posted!
I have done a few on that type surface............roll on oils based [white ]marking paint, can be found at lowes, home depot etc, or sherwin williams>high dollar at SW/ wear a respirator, but it dries almost instant...it will seal and prime...it has a rubber type texture...then go to town with the graphics......