We’re looking to paint our basement walls and floors to seal the ancient concrete. Is it totally silly to use a roller? There are no aesthetic considerations here at all. We’ve never used a sprayer before and it sounds like there’s a steep learning curve. If it IS really worth it, where do we rent one? I called the Nostrand/Dekalb HD and they didn’t have any. Thanks.


Comments

  1. Sorry to piggyback on your post, but would this work on a crumbling cement floor? I can vac it up as much as I want but it still seems to perpetually dusty. thanks.

  2. I recently rolled my hodge-podge cement cellar floor with good results using a very thick nap roller. I put down one coat of BM floor sealer and two coats of BM waterborne epoxy floor paint. So far, I am very happy with the results. No bubble or chips, etc.

    I would say be sure to clean the cement as good as possible first. I didn’t want to use a caustic cement wash (acid in the house, no thanks) but i scrubbed the heck out of it and then made many passes with a good shop vac before painting.

    Good luck!

  3. I prefer using a roller to a “airless sprayer” when painting masonry. Remember the rougher the surface to be painted, the longer the nap on the roller cover.

    The only exception would be painting a rubblestone foundation wall like you find in most Brooklyn rowhouses. A sprayer makes quick work of covering all the nooks and crannies, but only if you use a sprayer that works without clogging every five minutes. Plus you have to use a respirator and eye cover.

    I take it you will be using a water based paint? Make sure you have plenty of fresh air and be careful of pilot lights.