Advice please on masonary paint

[Martin754]

Hi there, hope you can help please.

1980's house with cavity wall (cavity is filled)

Outside has some mock tudor rendered panels

The render is textured & applied over assumed concrete blockwork, not brick

Render has existing paint

I would like to re-paint the render please

I have no idea the type of render or paint used previously.

I have read that:

[1] If existing render / paint *is* breathable then should use breathable masonry paint (i.e. Emperor silicone based?)

[2] If existing render / paint *is not* breathable, then use any decent trade water-based masonry (acrylic or polymer based - I don’t know the difference TBH!?)

I’m thinking Emperor would hedge my bets regardless of what render / paint is there already

i.e. presumably fine over *non breathable* although not getting any benefit.

…but equally unnecessary overkill if it’s really not needed.

Basically I don’t want to put the wrong paint on!

I would appreciate any advice please & apologies if a silly question

A big thank you!!

Martin

 

[Wayners]

Dig at it.
Sand and cement or modern silicone render which Is much softer.
How old is the house? Maybe old lime render?

 

[sparkwright]

1980s house, you said - so I would assume normal water-based masonry paint - like the stuff Sandtex churn out.

 

[Martin754]

Hi Wayners / sparkwright, thanks

Yes please, it's a 1980's house.

I'll try & test the render hardness.

If feels hard then assume sand and cement & any water based masonry paint will be fine.

If feels softer then assume silicone & go with something more breathable.

Does that sound about right please?

If really unsure then maybe go with something more breathable to be on the safe side, or doesn’t it really matter?

Thanks again

Martin