🖼️
The project:
When I bought this former social housing home, its stained Besser block exterior looked neglected. I had little money left for renovations and felt embarrassed that this was now my home. Simply painting it would still leave the blockwork visible, while professional rendering was beyond my budget. A friend suggested bagging the exterior and explained that BondCrete would help the mixture adhere securely and last for years. Together, we transformed the whole exterior using affordable materials, patience and plenty of hands-on work. For under $1,000, the neglected house became a fresh, welcoming home I finally felt proud to live in.
- Materials:
- Tools:
- Extension ladder
- Wheelbarrow for mixing the bagging mixture
- Spade for mixing
- Bucket or measuring container for adding water and BondCrete
- Hose for wetting and cleaning the walls
- Wire brush and broom for cleaning the Besser blocks
- Paint scraper or wire brush for removing loose and peeling paint
- Paint tray
- Extension pole for the roller
- Small paintbrush for the window frames and edges
- Large paintbrush for cutting in
- Rough foam pieces and thick sponges for applying the bagging mixture
- Small handheld paint container
- Masking tape
- Drop sheets
- Safety glasses
- Work gloves
- Dust mask
- Step 1:
Clean and prepare the exterior
We began by thoroughly cleaning the stained Besser block walls and removing dirt, cobwebs and loose material. Any peeling paint around the windows, fascia and trims was scraped back so the new finish would have a sound surface to adhere to. We brushed down the walls, washed them with a hose and allowed everything to dry completely. This preparation took time, but it was essential because the bagging mixture needed to bond securely to the blocks rather than sticking to dirt or loose paint.
- Step 2:
Mix the bagging compound
We mixed the fat sand and general-purpose cement in a wheelbarrow and mixed with a spade. BondCrete and water were then added gradually, and everything was mixed thoroughly until it reached a thick, smooth consistency similar to toothpaste. This is key to making the mixture the right consistency to spread. We prepared only manageable batches so we could apply each one before it began to dry. The BondCrete was the key ingredient, helping the bagging mixture adhere firmly to the Besser blocks and creating a strong, durable finish. As the mixture dried, it changed from dark and wet to a much lighter finish.
- Step 3:
Apply the bagging mixture
We applied the toothpaste-like mixture directly to the Besser block walls using pieces of the Trojan foam mat and rough, thick sponges. The mat was torn into quarters so it was easier to hold and control. Working in small sections, we pressed and spread the mixture over the blocks, covering the stained surfaces and filling the mortar joints. Uneven sweeping and circular movements created the textured bagged finish. The aim was not to make the walls perfectly smooth, but to soften the block lines and give the exterior a rendered appearance. The photo clearly shows the untreated blocks beside the newly bagged section.
- Step 4:
Allow the bagged finish to cure
Once the entire house had been bagged, we left the new finish unpainted so it could dry and harden properly. The house already looked much more even, with the stained Besser blocks and most of the mortar lines softened beneath the textured surface. We allowed approximately one month for the cement-based bagging to cure thoroughly before painting. Although it was difficult to wait after completing so much work, giving the finish plenty of curing time helped create a strong, stable surface ready for the exterior paint.
- Step 5:
Paint the bagged exterior walls
After allowing the bagged finish to cure for about a month, we painted the exterior walls with Taubmans Professional Exterior Paint tinted to Navigate. We used brushes to cut in around the windows, corners and pipes, then applied the paint to the larger areas with a roller and extension pole. The rough, absorbent surface required the first coat to be worked carefully into all the texture. Once dry, we applied a second coat to achieve an even, durable finish. At this stage, the window frames had not yet been painted and were completed separately afterward in Monument. Because the house was single-storey and the surrounding ground was relatively flat, we could safely reach the higher areas using an extension ladder and roller pole.
- Step 6:
Paint the window surrounds and complete the transformation
Once the two coats of Navigate had dried, we painted the window surrounds in Monument to create contrast and highlight the shape of the windows. We also checked the exterior for any missed areas and completed the final touch-ups. The dark trim made the light bagged walls stand out and gave the house a much more modern appearance. After months of hands-on work, the stained and neglected Besser block exterior had been transformed into a fresh, welcoming home for under $1,000.
