We’ve revealed to you that the secret behind a good painting job is proper and adequate surface preparation.  But, we’ve barely scratched the surface with our article about the basics of surface preparation for new concrete.  There’s more to learn about preparing previously painted concrete surfaces.

Surface preparation for old painted walls is a little different from new concrete because previously painted concrete surfaces can have an existing problem that needs to be treated first.  As a general step, you must always observe the condition of the surface that needs repainting. From there, you can take a specific course of action or treatment. In this article, we break down for you several painted concrete wall issues and expert-approved tips on treating them.

How to Deal with Peeling Paint

How could you tell when your old painted concrete walls have peeling paint?  Simple, it’s when the paint film does not adhere to your concrete walls anymore.  When this happens, our paint expert recommends that you scrape off all the loose, scaling, peeling, or flaking paint. Then, clean the surface to fully remove dust, dirt, oil, grease, and other contaminants.

Common Painting Problems: What is Peeling?

You can read more about peeling paint here.

How to Prep Chalky Surfaces

When old paint on concrete walls are chalking, powder comes off and sticks to your hand once you touch it. Before applying anything, get a clean damp rag or brush to scrub the surface clean. Let the surface dry thoroughly before you start priming. Then, you can treat chalking by applying BOYSEN Chalk Blocker B-7304, using a brush or roller. The chalk blocker will also serve as your primer. This premium formula binds chalk residue to the substrate to help maintain its good condition even after months of application. After priming the concrete wall, wait two hours for it to dry before applying the topcoat.

Take note that if the chalking is severe, experts recommend that you fully scrape off the paint.

For a more in-depth discussion of chalking, follow this link.

How to Treat Mildew-Infested Walls

Common Painting Problems: What is Mildew?

Your interior walls can have mold or mildew or those dark unsightly patches. You will usually find mold and mildew on bathroom concrete walls, kitchen tiles, or wash areas because they feed on moisture to survive and thrive. If you notice mildew infestation, you can apply a bleach solution (one part laundry bleach to three parts water) to the surface using a clean rag or a brush. Let it stand for 24 hours before washing it off. Let it dry completely before repainting.

Learn more about mildew on surfaces here.

Once you’ve treated, cleaned, and dried off the surfaces, follow the recommended system of painting. Firstly, apply the primer on bare surfaces. Then, cover hairline cracks and minor surface imperfections with putty. Finally, apply the topcoat.

Watch Boysen Painting 101 if you want to know more about how to prepare other surfaces like metal or wood.

If you have technical questions or request for clarification about your painting projects, please call this number (02) 363-9738 local 417 to 418 during office hours and talk to our Technical Team. You can also write an email to ask@myboysen.com.

Author

Yasmin Aguila is a copywriter at Boysen Paints Philippines. Interested in making paints fun and relatable, she produces quizzes and painting ideas for this blog. She claims that she is obsessed with yellow, but she always dresses in black from head to toe.

22 Comments

  1. hi!

    My newly acquired home has concrete wall finish and was never been painted (after all, it’s new). I want to retain the exposed concreate wall as industrial finish is what I’m going for. What ways and products would you suggest so that I can polish my wall as I’m seeing hairline cracks and uneven skimcoats?

    Appreciate your response to this!

    • You got an email from our Comms Team, as follows:

      “For the industrial finish, we recommend discussing this with our Konstrukt Engineers so that we can find the best product that will meet your project requirements. Having said that, we have included in this reply Engr. Harold Vincent Lim (lin.gaobin@gmail.com) of our Konstrukt Team so that he may assist you directly.”

      Please email your answer directly to ask@myboysen.com or lin.gaobin@gmail.com

      Enjoy your new home!

    • Do you have a representative in Davao City who can brief the painter I contracted to repaint the exterior as well the perimeter fence of my house? I prefer to be contacted thru a text message first on the number 09177006984

      • Hi Vic,

        A reply via email was sent to you 2 days ago. Just in case you haven’t seen it yet, this is part of the answer.

        ——–
        we have already forwarded this together with your details to Mr. John Balagtas, Marketing Executive. Please expect him to coordinate with you.

        Otherwise, if it is convenient for you, you may also reach him at 09171323675
        ———

        Best of luck with your repainting,
        Annie

  2. Hi is it possible po after ng accrytex cast flat latex as primer then latex gloss.

    How about after application of accrytex cast is possible to apply directly a latex gloss?

    Thanks formthe feed back.

    • Hi Franklin.

      Putty (masilya) is applied on concrete walls with existing paint to correct minor surface imperfections and hairline cracks. If your walls do not have imperfections, then there is no need to apply putty. However, if you will be using putty on your walls, please remember to apply a layer of primer prior to application of two coats topcoat.

      It is not advisable to apply the topcoat (BOYSEN Permacoat Semi-Gloss Latex) after putty application. Doing so may result in mapping or unevenness of the final appearance of the paint.

      If you would like to use BOYSEN Permacoat Latex as topcoat, please see below for the suggested system.
      Primer: BOYSEN Acrytex Primer
      Putty: BOYSEN Acrytex Cast
      *Spot Prime using BOYSEN Acrytex Primer
      Topcoat: 2 coats of BOYSEN Permacoat Semi-Gloss Latex

      If you have more questions, please call this number (02) 8363-9738 local 417 to 418 during office hours and talk to our Technical Team directly so you will have things cleared up faster.

  3. Hi! Please suggest a time-saving, affordable and good prep procedure on how to DIY removal of wallpaper. Thank you very much!

    • Hi Bles.

      Thank you for your comment and for following us at Let it B.

      Regarding your inquiry, sadly, we do not have a product that will meet your requirements. For this, we recommend consulting the manufacturer of the wallpaper for possible options.

      Thank you and hoping for your understanding.

  4. Ano po gagawin bago i repaint ang concrete wall, kasi gusto ipamasilya muna bago pinturahan. Sabi ng gagawa lalagyan muna ng glat latex paint bago i putty. Tama po ba ang gagawin niya?

    • Hi Margot.

      Thank you for your comment and for following us at Let it B.

      Para sa iyong inquiry, kung maganda pa ang kapit ng existing na pintura, make sure lang na clean and dry ang surface prior to application ng masilya.

      Para sa interior concrete walls, pwede kang gumamit ng BOYSEN Masonry Putty #7311.
      > Click here para sa product details at instructions: http://bit.ly/1JZ9Hrr

      Para sa exterior concrete walls, pwede kang gumamit ng BOYSEN Acrytex Cast #1711.
      > Click here para sa product details at instructions: http://bit.ly/MdQbMg

      Spot prime o apply primer (BOYSEN Permacoat B-701 Flat Latex) sa mga napahiran ng masilya bago mag-apply ng 2 coats ng topcoat.

      Salamat po.

  5. Hi! My house is 5 years already since it was built, and I wanted to paint it with my daugther. What is the right thing to do? Should we apply primer or putty? Wall is in good shape just small cracks from earthquake

    • The Boysen Team sent you a reply via email. Sending it here again:

      ————————–

      Thank you for your comment and for following us at Let it B.

      For your concrete walls, if there is no existing paint, you would need to apply primer. Please see below for the Surface Preparation and Painting Instructions.

      SURFACE PREPARATION

      For New Concrete
      Surface to be painted should be clean and dry, free from oil, grease, dust, dirt, contaminants, and all loose grit and mortar.

      For cracks caused by the earthquake, we recommend consulting an engineer or contractor to verify if civil works are needed.

      Repainting
      Scrape off all loose, scaling, flaking, and peeling paint manually or by using BOYSEN Paint and Varnish Remover B-141, as necessary. Wash surfaces clean and completely remove chemical residue. Let it dry.

      For repainting concrete with chalky old paint, use BOYSEN Chalk Blocker B-7304 as surface conditioner. In case of mildew infestation, treat with a bleach solution (1:3, laundry bleach to water, respectively) by swabbing or brushing. To ensure proper treatment, let stand for 24 hours before cleaning off residue. Let dry.

      *

      PAINTING INSTRUCTIONS
      Primer: BOYSEN Permacoat Flat Latex B-701
      Putty (for minor surface imperfections and hairline cracks): BOYSEN Masonry Putty B-7311 (for interior use) / BOYSEN Acrytex Cast B-1711 (for exterior use)
      2nd & 3rd coat: BOYSEN Permacoat (for interior and exterior use) / BOYSEN Healthy Home (for interior use only) / Virtuoso Silk Touch (for interior use only)

      To help you choose which topcoat best fits your requirements, you may learn more about the products via the following links:
      1. BOYSEN Permacoat Latex – http://bit.ly/2KH1WxA
      2. BOYSEN Healthy Home – https://healthyhomepaints.com/
      3. Virtuoso Silk Touch – http://virtuosopaints.com

      Thank you.
      ————–

  6. Jane consigo Reply

    Ask ko lng Po ano dapat gawin sa concrete na nalagyan na Ng waterproofing paint pero natagas pa Rin pag naulan …tnx Po

    • Hi Jane, our Social Media team sent you a reply but I’m sending it here again to make sure you get your reply.

      ——

      Thank you for your comment and for following us at Let it B.

      Para sa iyong concrete surface, kung may concerns pa rin after gumamit ng conventional waterpoofing products, advisable na kumonsulta sa mga professionals tulad ng waterproofing experts o contractor para sigurado ang pag-aayos ng iyong problema.

      Kailangang ayusin muna ang cause ng pagtagas ng tubig (ex: mga cracks sa exterior walls, sirang linya ng tubo, mga butas, at/o iba pa) bago mag-painting o repainting. Magpapabalik-balik lang ang problema kung hindi muna ito magagawa.

      Thank you and have a great week ahead.

      • Hi ask lang po na confused lang po habang nagbabasa ako . Magpaparepaint po kasi kami. Ang sabi po dito nit advisable to apply putty after permacoat . Talaga ang una po ba primer then Putty for spots lang na may imperfections then 2 coats ng permacoat . tama po ba yung pagkakaintindi ko based sa nabasa k . May mention kasi na di pwede ang putty after permacoat . Thanks . Please do email po . Need advise magpapa pintura na po kasi kami . thanks a lot

        • This reply was sent to you via email by our Communications team –

          Thank you for your email and for following us at Let it B.

          Para sa iyong project, kung minor imperfections at hairline cracks lang na less than 1mm ang aayusin, pwede po kayong gumamit ng putty o masilya.

          Para sa concrete walls na may pintura na, kung maganda pa ang kapit ng existing na pintura, make sure lang na clean and dry ang surface prior to painting. Sand the surface lightly using sandpaper for better adhesion. Remove excess dust and then apply BOYSEN Masony Putty B-7311 para sa imperfections on interior concrete walls o BOYSEN Acrytex Cast B-1711 para sa imperfections on exterior concrete walls.

          Tandaang magpahid ng primer (ex: BOYSEN Permacoat B-701 Flat White) sa areas na may putty bago magpahid ng 2 coats ng topcoat (ex: BOYSEN Permacoat Latex, any desired sheen and/or color).

          *

          Para sa iyong naunang tanong, ang hindi po pwedeng ipahid kapag may pintura na ang surface ay ang skimcoat. Magkaiba po ang skimcoat sa masilya.

          Ang skimcoat o palitada ay pinapahid sa bare concrete walls bilang alternative palstering para kuminis ang pader. Hindi po ito pwede sa surface na may pintura na.

          Ang putty o masilya naman ay pinapahid sa surface na may pintura na para itama ang minor surface imperfections at hairline cracks.

          Salamat po.

          *

          Kung may immediate technical concerns kayo, bukod sa aming social media accounts, pwede mo kaming matawagan sa (02) 8363-9738 local 416 to 418. Pwede mo rin kaming itext sa 0918-913-6000.

          Ito ang aming Technical Service Department at we’ll do our best to be of service. Ang aming office hours ay from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Saturday.

  7. Carl jeson p.opena Reply

    Gud am po bkit po ngkaron Ng lobo\bubbles Yung posted n pininturahan k eh 2weeks npo sya nkapahid tas 3days p nguulan eh tnatamaan psya Ng tubig nglobo po Anu po Kya Ang remedyo don eh smantalang elastomeric po gnamit ko sun and rain…Ptulong nmn po kng anu remedyo don…

    • Hi Carl, ipapadala ko iyong question mo at iyong email address mo sa Technical Team namin. Please wait for their reply. Salamat.

      • Hi Carl, Nag bounce back iyong email to you from our Technical Team. Eto iyong sagot:

        “Salamat sa iyong comment at sa pagtangkilik sa Let it B.

        Base sa iyong description, mukhang may water seepage ang iyong pader.
        Para masolusyunan ang pagkatas ng tubig, mainam na hanapin muna ang source ng tubig. Maaaring mga cracks sa exterior walls, sirang linya ng tubo, mga butas, at/o iba pa. Kailangang ayusin muna ito, bago mag-repainting. Magpapabalik-balik lang ang problema kung hindi muna ito magagawa.

        Advisable rin na kumonsulta sa mga professionals tulad ng waterproofing experts o contractor para sigurado ang pag-aayos ng iyong problema.”

        Pag meron ka pang tanong, please send an email to ask@myboysen.com o kaya tumawag sa (02) 363-9738 local 417 to 418 during office hours.

Write A Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.