Painting breeze blocks

[Naaktgeboren]

I'm about to tart up our garage and want to paint the breeze blocks white. I understand how absorbent these blocks are, I was thinking about applying with a long pile roller and using trade emulsion mixed with PVA, would this do the job or has anyone had decent results via another method?

Hoping the added PVA will help with application as well as sealing the little holes.

TIA

 

[balidey]

I have tried spraying (too watered down, looked awful), roller (left dark patches in the deep cavities) and finally brush. The only one that looked acceptable was brush, with lots of paint on. It takes a lot longer and more effort, but the only way that gave a good result.
If I need to do this in future I was thinking about skimming with plaster first.

 

[noiseboy72]

A couple of coats with the biggest brush you can find. I used a fence brush. Put it on thickly but evenly and it should be fine. The PVA helps with the first coat in terms of sealing the blocks, but put the 2nd coat on just as paint.

 

[Wahreo]

I would just slap it on without PVA. Masonary paint but possibly water it down, check with manufacturers instructions.

Proper thermalite blocks are much more absorbent than concrete blocks or the old cinder blocks.

 

[DIYlady]

Use masonary paint with a 4/5 inch brush. If the garage is single skin or gets cold or slightly damp then ordinary emulsion will peel over the first winter, either way it won't last. Exterior masonary paint on the other hand will continue to look good for many years.