Painting Concrete Walls / Retaining Walls

What is the secret? Layering, layering and more layering.

• Tip: When priming or painting, an airbrush or spray paint is recommended. Build thin layers to avoid detail loss.
• Prime: Apply a gray primer until your parts are adequately covered.
• Sponge: Tear a makeup sponge or a grouting sponge and use the torn end to lightly dab on a concrete colored paint. Rotate the sponge or part as you apply to avoid repeating patterns made by the sponge. The result should can be described as blotchy and chipping.
• Sponge: Apply additional coats of light and dark grays using the same sponge technique. Start with your darker grays working your way to lighter grays.
• Each layer is a chance to cover up any mistakes.
• Seal: Apply a clear coat / matte varnish to seal in the paint before applying some washes. Do not skip this step!
• Wash: Apply a very thin concrete-colored wash with a brush in a downward direction. To remove any excess wash, lazily remove the excess wash from your brush. Then, use your brush to soak up the excess wash from your parts like a sponge. Let it completely dry.
• Seal (optional): If you want to make the concrete look older, continue weathering. Otherwise, stop here and and seal with a clear coat / matte varnish.
• Wash: Make an isopropyl alcohol / medium rust wash. Cover the part with the wash and allow to dry.
• Dry Brush: Use a dry brush technique to apply a medium rust color in a downward stroke.
• Artistic Cracks: Using a sharp blade, cut cracks into the concrete part. Practice, if you like, with XPS foam until you find a look you want to apply.
• Wash: Apply additional washes. I like to use Vetero Shadow Gray and Murky Brown. Apply in a downward stroke to add recent discoloration in various streaking. Apply to the cracks. Let completely dry.
• Seal: Apply a clear coat / matte varnish.
• Decals: Any graffiti decals and graffiti paint depending on the decade and look you are going for.