I have a large basement with cement floor and walls. I want to convert it into a game room, for a pool table, foosball, etc. What is the best thing to do with the walls? I think I want to paint them and possibly do some stencil work of sports logos, etc. (Don't really want to use drywall, etc as it CAN get mildly damp down there when we have local flooding) What is the most durable paint that can be used on cement that comes in colors that would work in a game room?
they have a specific masonry primer for basement walls at home depot or lowes..its ugl or uql or something...just check in the exterior paint section...this stuff will seal the masonry, than you can just paint over it with any old exterior latex
Go to you local home store and get a concrete sealer/primer. Put that on first. Then you will have nearly unlimited color options for a finish coat of paint.
Use a latex concrete paint available at all building centres. You can also have it tinted in many colours. Some pros will prime the concrete before painting for better durability and adhesion, usually a cheap water based primer will do. Good luck.
The First Step with walls that get damp or are prone to flooding is a CMU waterproofing on the walls. It is expensive to do about 80$ for a 5 gallon can and may require two coats but it is worth it. Reason: This will reduce dampness and will allow for a better bond of latex paints. Concrete latex paints will peel with the first signs of dampness. I know tried the same thing and it didn't didn't work. I had to buy the waterproofing and all new paint. So save your self the trouble of repainting buy doing it right the first time.
Cement walls, if bare, should first be painted with a masonry sealer/primer, something like Dry-Lock. This will be the most effective way of keeping out moisture that's worked through the concrete. Then paint over that with any water based latex. Before painting, though, check to see if there's moisture in the walls since that will tend to make the paint peel if you don't seal the concrete first. Just tape a 2' x 2' piece of clear plastic to the wall, sealing all the edges. After a day or two look for water condensation forming on the wall side of the plastic. If you see condensation, water vapor has migrated into the concrete. That's okay, but it means you MUST seal the concrete first or you'll be repainting very often. Good Luck!
