Etch the Wall's Surface

• 1). Prepare the cement wall for primer and paint by etching into the wall's surface. Skip this step if the cement wall has been painted. Put on safety goggles, facial mask and wear rubber gloves at all times when working with muriatic acid to avoid inhaling chemicals and creating severe skin burns.
  
  
• 2). Mix together one part muriatic acid and 10 parts water in an empty bucket. Add 1-1/2 lbs. of saw dust for every one gallon of mixed solution. Mix with a wood paint stir stick. Prepare 25 lbs. of saturated sawdust for every 120 square feet of wall space.
  
  
• 3). Place thick plastic disposable sheeting onto the floor's surface. Ensure all areas are properly covered.
  
  
• 4). Spread the sawdust mixture onto the surface using a hand trowel, firmly pressing the mixture in place so the acid can etch into the concrete. Move around the sawdust with the trowel every 5 to 10 minutes to activate the acid and continue the etching process. Check the roughness of the surface until a light textured surface is felt; the wall's surface will be similar to number one or two sandpaper roughness.
  
  
• 5). Remove the sawdust mixture with the trowel or rake. Rinse the wall with copious amounts of water. Use a pressure nozzle and scrub with a power broom to remove all acid and residue.
  
  
• 6). Allow the wall to dry. The wall should feel slightly cool or room temperature. If the wall is cold to touch, continue to wait until the concrete surface and inside is dry before continuing on to the paint process. Vacuum any residue powder from the walls if visible suggests True Value Paint.
  
  

Prime the Concrete

• 1). Apply masonry paint to the wall. Use acrylic latex block filler paint or waterproof paint. Look for paints designed for concrete surfaces. Pour the paint into a paint tray. Saturate a medium nap roller in the paint, and apply to the wall's surface. Roll onto the wall in long vertical streaks. Ensure the entire area is covered.
  
  
• 2). Apply a second coat of paint if the concrete absorbs the first coat. Paint the perimeter of the wall's surface using a trim brush. Hold the brush at an angle, and apply a small amount of paint to the pointed end of the brush. Move the brush smoothly along the edge of the wall, painting all areas not reached by the roller.
  
  
• 3). Allow the wall to dry 24 hours. Touch the walls to ensure they are dry to touch. Continue drying time if the walls feel cold.
  
  

Texture

• 1). Open a 5-gallon bucket of joint compound. Add a small amount of distilled water if the plaster appears dry. Mix using a squirrel mixer attached to a hand drill.
  
  
• 2). Place a small amount of plaster onto a drywall trowel using a putty knife. Hold the trowel at a 45-degree angle, and place one edge of the trowel against the wall. Place the plaster onto the wall's surface by skimming the surface slightly. Create different movements with the trowel by twisting and turning your hand to create texture on the wall. Cover about 90 percent of the wall's surface. Allow the plaster to dry 24 hours.
  
  
• 3). Sand the dried plaster with sandpaper; use a medium-grit paper to remove loose particles and falling debris.
  
  
• 4). Paint the surface using latex paint. Use the same technique executed when applying the initial coat of primer. Use a thick, rough nap roller for the textured surface. Stipple paint into the crevices of the texture difficult to reach with the roller using an old chip brush. You may need several coats of paint for even coverage; the texture will easily absorb one to two layers of paint. Allow to dry 24 hours.