Can you paint reconstituted limestone blocks?

Hi there, I have some friends that asked me whether you they would be able to render a long reconstituted limestone block retaining wall/garden bed. I said rendering it would probably not be a good idea but they miiight be able to paint it.

Anybody have any expert advice?

My main thought is that the garden bed isn’t sealed, and just being outdoors with limestone being so porous that moisture is going to make it’s way behind the paint and it will start coming off pretty quickly.

Find more posts tagged with

Painting

Comments

MitchellMc

You would be right in suspecting that any retained water's hydrostatic pressure will be an issue @kristian. Rendering is probably the better solution than painting. It's more breathable, and moisture will have the ability to pass through it. However, it will get discoloured due to the moisture permeating the surface continuously. Paint isn't porous, and unless its holding power is greater than the water's pressure, it will peel off.

What's the issue with the wall at the moment? Do your friends just not like the look of the limestone blocks? Perhaps you could post some images to give our members a better idea of what they could suggest as possible coatings or solutions.

Mitchell

kristian

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/17531#Comment_17531

That’s great! Thanks.

Yeah, they’re not a fan of the yellow colouring. They’re redesigning the whole back yard at the moment and the pallette they like is whites, greys, wood with grass and plants. And the limestone doesn’t really go with the overall look they’re after.

I’ll get some photos and send them through.

kristian

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/17531#Comment_17531

So here’s the wall. The garden bed runs almost the full length of the block. They’re replacing the paving and fence, painting and lining the patio, removing the shed, building a new open air fire pit/pizza oven area, and putting in new screening trees all through the garden bed.

Thoughts?

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/71394#Comment_71394

Hello @kristian

Thank you so much for the photo updates. It's great that you've received excellent advice from @MitchellMc. His assessment and recommendation are spot on. The issue is water coming from the other side of the wall. Now that I've read your friend's design preferences, I suggest the following options. Disguise the block wall by covering it with 137 x 23mm 5.4m Decking Alpine Ash / Ironwood Composite Ekodeck Designer. It is manufactured from over 80% reclaimed and recycled materials. It is resistant to termites, rot, decay, mould, and mildew. It does not require oiling, painting, or sealing. It comes in various colours so your friends can choose a colour that will go with their overall design preference. You can also use Merbau Decking Panels as a second material option.

My next recommendation is to cover it with 200 x 50mm 2.4m Treated Pine Sleeper H4. If they want a more chunky robust look this is the way to go. My final suggestion would be to disassemble the limestone blocks and create a new wall in their preferred material.

Let me tag our experienced members @JoeAzza and @TedBear for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

TedBear

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/98951#Comment_98951

I agree 100% with @EricL . Your friends need to focus on what they do want and not what they don't want (ie the limestone look).

The blocks offer strength in containing the garden, so removing them could be problematic. Painting the outer surface isn't wise, unless they seal the inner surface against water seepage first. Sealing the inner world be a good idea anyway, then add whatever veneer they wish (as EricL suggests) to achieve the look that they want to see.

kristian

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/116263#Comment_116263

Thanks @MitchellMc, @EricL and @TedBear . Really appreciate all of your input!

I'm going to work up a few material mood boards for them, but looks like they'll either clad in a decking, or keep the limestone and change up the pallette to better match.

Thanks again!

mariowilson

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/98951#Comment_98951

Hi EricL

Do you reckon cladding would be an option to cover the limestone wall. I’m facing the same challenge at my place and looking for alternatives.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/117169#Comment_117169

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @mariowilson. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about cladding a limestone wall.

Cladding would certainly be an option, and your creativity is the only limitation. Bang for your buck-wise, you can't go past SpecRite 1800 x 902mm 84/44mm Fence Panel Merbau Slats. I've done the math, and they are comparable in price to the equivalent amount of decking timber. You could lay them lengthways and affix them to the wall. Alternatively, there's a whole range of screening to consider. It all really depends on the look you're going for. If you can let our helpful members what style might work, I trust they'll be full of advice and suggestions.

I'll be looking forward to hearing your thoughts and providing assistance with your project.

Mitchell

alicia134

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/17531#Comment_17531

Hi MitchellMc,

I also have a limestone ‘challenge’ that I would LOVE your input for! My house has a retaining wall that surrounds it and is made mostly of limestone. I would love to change it to an all white, smoother retaining wall. I will add photos of how it is currently and how I would like it to look. We’re ideally looking at the easiest/cheapest route to achieve this look or similar. Tossing up between cement sheeting or possibly render? Any input would be really appreciated ☺️

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/74461#Comment_74461

No problems @alicia134. I'm sure our resident Bunnings D.I.Y. experts @MitchellMc or @EricL will be able to assist you.

Let me extend a very warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. We're really pleased to have you join us and look forward to seeing how you can transform your retaining wall fence, and tackle other projects around the house and garden.

Jason

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/100812#Comment_100812

Hi @alicia134,

The easiest method will most likely be cladding the wall with Cemintel 7.5mm 1200 x 2440 External Cladding Sheet.

Is this wall retaining soil that is pushed up against the rear of it, or is the wall wholly above ground? If it is retaining soil, you could see discolouration from soil leachates bleeding through your render. Rendering the wall will quite possibly be cheaper than using sheeting. However, if it's just the section you have pictured, I'd suggest going with the sheeting, as it will give a far more consistent finish and not have discolouration issues.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

kris5

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/17531#Comment_17531

Hello

Just joining this conversation as I have a slightly similar question. Could you potentially stain a limestone block wall with something like a Crommelin Liquid Stone in basalt colour. Or do you think it would it be the same result due to the water issue?

Regards

Kris

KatieC

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/74921#Comment_74921

Hi @kris5,

First, let me extend a warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community! It is awesome you have decided to join and ask us about staining your limestone wall. Our resident DIY expert @MitchellMc will be back online tomorrow to assist with your question but in the meantime let me tag members @TedBear and @Adam_W to see if they have any advice.

We would love to see your project progress so please update us with photos.

Katie

Adam_W

Hey @kristian just to wade-in late to this chat...

Agree 100% about painting basically any masonry retaining wall. If it wasn't properly water-sealed on the rear when built then it will wick moisture through to the face which will lift paint off. It can also do the same to render however a rendering tradie may have solutions for that with various ad-mixes they can put into their mud.
Battening the wall and adding a new face and then capping the wall can totally transform it. To give you an idea of how effective this can be in this older video of mine I do just that with a timber wall to make it look like a masonry.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/74921#Comment_74921

Hi @kris5,

Crommelins LiquidStone is more similar to paint than a stain. Once again, it's a water-impermeable layer, so you'd run the risk of it being pushed off the surface.

Mitchell

TedBear

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/101143#Comment_101143

Hi @kris5,

@MitchellMc's reply about water pushing paint off a surface describes my own situation with the flat (but not flat enough) concrete verandah roof on my house. I noticed after we bought it that the paint underneath was stained, so assuming it was a small issue and without checking the actual problem (foolishly), I sealed and repainted it. Then, come winter, I noticed large drooping sections in the paint. Cutting them with the corner of a scraper resulted in me getting covered in water, which had come straight through the concrete and pooled in the paint layer.

When I then looked above, there was a big pool of water up there (incorrectly sloped slab). I coated the top in bituminous paint and waited another winter to check that there is no water bleed through, so I can now repaint the lower surface.

If you can get at the garden side of that wall and seal it, you should then be OK to paint over the stained outer side of the wall, but don't do it until it's sealed... or create a second outer surface as suggested.

Child Item