Top 8 Best Paint For Concrete Walls In Basement (2023 Review)

Last Updated On September 22, 2023

Need good paint for the concrete walls in your basement? 

We know how annoying it is when water and moisture seep through the cracks and deteriorates the foundation of your home or business.

Basement waterproofing is key for keeping a solid foundation. 

Stick with us for the best masonry waterproofers for concrete walls in the basement. 

Top 8 Best Paint For Concrete Walls In Basement (2020 Review)

In this ProPaintCorner.com guide, you will learn:

  • The best paint for concrete walls in the basement
  • Do's and don't's for painting downstairs
  • Other painting tips from the pros
  • And much more!

Below is a quick list of all our top products. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to choose and use the best paint for concrete walls in your basement.

Image Product

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Aqua-X Concrete Sealer
  • Covers up to 600 square feet per gallon
  • Protects against mildew and mold
  • Ideal for commercial use
  • Covers up to 600 square feet per gallon
  • Protects against mildew and mold
  • Ideal for commercial use
View on Amazon

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Kilz Interior/Exterior Basement And Masonry Waterproofing Paint
  • Up to 12 PSI of water-resistance
  • Dries to the touch in 1 hour
  • Sold in a 1-gallon quantity
  • Up to 12 PSI of water-resistance
  • Dries to the touch in 1 hour
  • Sold in a 1-gallon quantity
View on Amazon

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Rust Bullet Duragrade
  • Apply directly to concrete/minimal prep necessary
  • Great for indoor or outdoor use
  • Premium protection for concrete floor/walls
  • Apply directly to concrete/minimal prep necessary
  • Great for indoor or outdoor use
  • Premium protection for concrete floor/walls
View on Amazon

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Drylok
  • 10-year warranty
  • Protects against radon gas
  • Guaranteed to stop water
  • 10-year warranty
  • Protects against radon gas
  • Guaranteed to stop water
View on Amazon

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KILZ Interior/Exterior Self-Priming Masonry, Stucco, and Brick Flat Paint
  • 40 years of paint-producing excellence
  • Cures in just 4 hours
  • Sold in 1-gallon container
  • 40 years of paint-producing excellence
  • Cures in just 4 hours
  • Sold in 1-gallon container
View on Amazon

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Eco Advance EACON16CON Waterproofer
  • Eco-friendly concrete-sealing solution
  • Made in the USA
  • Economically priced
  • Eco-friendly concrete-sealing solution
  • Made in the USA
  • Economically priced
View on Amazon

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Rust-Oleum 261845 EpoxyShield Garage Floor Coating
  • Alternative epoxy solution
  • Covers 500 square feet
  • Great for basements, garage floors, and more
  • Alternative epoxy solution
  • Covers 500 square feet
  • Great for basements, garage floors, and more
View on Amazon

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Foundation Armor AR500 High Gloss Solvent Based Acrylic Concrete Sealer and Paver Sealer
  • Lasts for 2-5 years
  • Blocks UV rays/ can withstand extreme temperatures
  • Can be used on unsealed surfaces
  • Lasts for 2-5 years
  • Blocks UV rays/ can withstand extreme temperatures
  • Can be used on unsealed surfaces
View on Amazon

Our Overall #1 Rated Pick

Updated On September 22, 2023

We chose Aqua-X Concrete Sealer because it is a reasonably priced and industrial-grade concrete sealer that will give your concrete finish a long-lasting surface that blocks out water, mold, and mildew.

This allows you to apply a water-based coat of paint to your concrete without a super-toxic formula.

Purchase Aqua-X in quantities of either 1-gallon or 5-gallons off of Amazon for a better price than what you would pay at Home Depot. 

What Is Paint For Concrete Walls In Basement?

Concrete sealant is different from your average interior or exterior paint because it is specially formulated for concrete.

Although these paints have different chemical compositions, they are all designed to prevent instances of mold, efflorescence, mildew, and corrosion that happens when concrete is exposed to the elements. 

As a quick side note, if you're having basement and foundation issues, we found this great guide outlining all of the various methods to repair your basements foundation

What Are The Different Types of Paint For Concrete Walls In Basement?

Concrete sealer

Concrete sealant is more like cement that is mixed with water to 

Concrete primer

Some paints might require that you apply a primer before using their product. This will aid the sealant because you won't have to use as much.

Epoxy

There are some two-part epoxy garage floor type paints that will work great and also look fantastic for sealing up the concrete or block walls in your basement. 

Read More >> What Are The Best Paint Rollers For Uneven Wall Texture?

Did you know: Using a primer when you paint can actually save you money! This is because it creates a much better surface for your paint to adhere to, so you'll likely use less of it.

How Do You Apply Paint For Concrete Walls?

Thoroughly clean surface before applying paint

Since using a pressure washer in your basement isn't realistic and might damage things, you can use muriatic acid to clean the concrete before applying your paint of choice.

This will also help remove any old paint flaking off that might be impeding a good mating surface for the concrete paint.

You can use a wire brush on surfaces like cinderblocks to get any unwanted dirt and grime off. 

Seal up any open joints

You might find that there are open joints in your concrete that are letting water through, and that can be catastrophic for the cement foundation in your basement.

If the damage isn't so bad, you can try using something to seal up the cracks, like this Drylok Fast Plug that can withstand up to 3,050 pounds of hydrostatic pressure.

Generously apply paint

Use a nap roller or even a paint sprayer to help you apply the concrete paint to the surface of the concrete walls in your basement.

After applying the first coat, check the drying time on the specific paint you purchased to get a good idea of when to apply the next coat. 

After you feel you have applied enough concrete paint to seal in the surface, you then have the option of applying a topcoat. 

Just be sure the colored paint you want to use is compatible with the concrete paint you chose.

Read More >> How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Pro To Paint A Room?

What To Look For In The Best Paint For Concrete Walls In Basement?

Quality

Make sure the product you buy has thousands of great reviews before purchasing on Amazon for the best results.

Some things in life are good to buy cheap, but taking care of your home's foundation isn't one of them.

Our Reviews Of The Best Paint For Concrete Walls In Basement

Need a more commercial solution for sealing in your concrete?

Try this 1-gallon container of Aqua-X because it covers twice the surface area of other concrete sealant products(up to 600 square feet).

Aqua-X Concrete Sealer protects your concrete against mold, mildew, freeze/thaw, concrete spalling, and salt damage after you apply a generous coat to your concrete surface.

Pick up a gallon, 5 gallons, or even a small spray bottle of Aqua-X Concrete Sealer off of Amazon for the best price.

Pros

  • Covers up to 600 square feet of concrete
  • Low odor and VOCs
  • Twice the coverage of other concrete sealants

Cons

  • More expensive than other products
  • No paint applicator included
  • No primer recommended

This 1-gallon bucket of Kilz Interior/Exterior Basement And Masonry Waterproofing Paint is a great solution for sealing in the concrete or masonry in your basement because it is priced low and highly effective when applied with a nap roller, airless paint sprayer or paintbrush.

First, you'll need to prep the surface by cleaning it and applying a primer like Kilz Premium Primer, then you can go ahead and use this masonry waterproofing paint that resists up to 12 PSI of pressure to keep water out of your basement.

One container of Kilz will cover up 75-125 feet of your project with a minimum of two coats (depending on how porous the surface).

Pros

  • Sold in a 1-gallon quantity
  • Dries to the touch in 1 hour
  • 1-gallon covers up to 125 square feet

Cons

  • A primer must be applied beforehand
  • Cheaper price may mean lower quality

Are you looking for the premium option for covering up your concrete with a quality layer of paint?

Try this Rust Bullet Duragrade, a product that requires minimal prep and gives you excellent results. 

You will be spending substantially more than other concrete products when deciding to use Rust Bullet, but the plus side to the deal is that the results outmatch the competition for painting concrete.

Purchase in quart, gallon, or 5-gallon quantities of Rust Bullet off Amazon for a concrete sealing solution that outperforms the competition.

Pros

  • Premium-quality
  • Minimal prep work necessary
  • Resistant against cracks, chips, UV rays, and other chemicals

Cons

  • Flammable liquid
  • Extremely expensive

Pick #4: Drylok

Drylok is a popular and effective latex waterproofer that is inexpensive and super-effective at sealing water out of your basement.

This low-odor formula conforms to VOC requirements to keep your basement dry with its sandy texture that can be applied easily with a roller or paintbrush.

Purchase this 1-quart size container off Amazon for small projects and easy touchup.

Pros

  • Included with a 10-year warranty
  • Withstands 10 lbs of hydrostatic pressure
  • Made in the USA

Cons

  • Vapor harmful if inhaled
  • Only sold in 1-quart quantities on Amazon

Here is another similar product by KILZ that will have your basement floor or walls sealed in to perfection to keep water out for good.

This paint uses nanotechnology to help build a barrier for water and moisture to help keep your basement dry and structurally sound for long periods of time.

Measure out your project for square footage, and purchase the appropriate amount of KILZ Interior/Exterior Self-Priming Masonry Stucco and Brick Flat Paint as well as some KILZ premium primer that should be applied beforehand.

Pros

  • Affordable solution for sealing in concrete
  • Resists water pressure of up to 12 PSI
  • 1 can covers 75-125 square feet

Cons

  • The surface must be primed with KILZ Premium Primer beforehand
  • Cheaper price may mean less quality

Were you looking for the most eco-friendly option for sealing in your concrete? 

This Eco Advanced Waterproofer has low VOC and low odor for sealing anything from concrete to stucco, stone, pavers, and more at a price you are not going to believe. 

Eco Advance is a breathable sealant for your concrete that is safe to use around people, plants, and pets so you can apply it with less stress.

Purchase Eco Advance in quantities of 1-gallon off of Amazon for an inexpensive solution to your concrete sealing needs.

Pros

  • More eco-friendly than other products
  • Inexpensive
  • Vapor permeable

Cons

  • May be less effective than other products
  • Square footage not specified
  • Not specified if a primer is needed

You could always try something like this Rust-Oleum EpoxyShield floor paint in your basement.

Although it's technically not the recommended product for the job, this garage floor epoxy will seal out water and last for years.

Application is easy, all you have to do is mix the 2-part epoxy together, and apply at the recommended temperature.

This kit is great because it will cover up to 500 square feet, and it is safe to walk on after just 24 hours.

Pros

  • An alternative solution for painting basement walls
  • Covers up to 500 square feet
  • Last for years

Cons

  • Technically not recommended for basements(but will still work great)
  • Causes skin and eye burns
  • Protects against stains and chemicals

Homeowners will appreciate this Foundation Armer AR500 concrete and paver sealer because it is sold in large quantities and is an acrylic masonry paint that can be reapplied every 2-5 years for the best results.

Foundation Armor will bring out the color in dull and porous surfaces, so pick up this 5-gallon jug off of Amazon if you are looking for a breathable solvent that has unmatched bonding characteristics.

Pros

  • Lasts for 2-5 years
  • Sold in 5-gallon quantities
  • Resists salt damage

Cons

  • Other products will last longer
  • Needs to be re-applied after 2-5 years
  • More expensive than other products

Our Top Pick: Aqua-X Concrete Sealer

Our top pick is Aqua-X Concrete Sealer because it is priced middle of the line and the quality is industrial.

Plus, you can choose between a 1-gallon or 5-gallon jug that won't break the bank when working on large products like office buildings, etc. 

One of the best parts about Aqua-X is that it is water-based, so you won't have to worry about poisoning yourself and others when applying it, plus it has a low-odor scent.

Plus, it's such a great value for the money. Check out the lowest price on Amazon now!

Read More >> What Are The Best Paint Strippers For Concrete?

Final Thoughts On The Best Paint For Concrete Walls In Basement

Which to pick? 

The concrete sealer you choose for your specific DIY home improvement project depends on the area in which you live.

For example, if you live in the south of Lousiana where there is tons of moisture and has lots of water problems(if you even have a basement), then you'll want to spend more money on one of the high-quality heavier-duty items on this list.

But then again, if you live in the midwest in a place like Arizona that doesn't get a lot of rainfall, it might be okay to go with a cheaper option that fulfills the purpose of coating your interior walls/masonry walls because it will be very seldom that you have a wet basement.

Any Of These Products Will Work Great

We put our top three here on this list of eight, but we highly recommend checking out all of eight of our recommended products, because there might be one that works well for your specific job. 

Questions?

Don't forget to leave all of your concrete painting questions on our page.

Meet Your Pro Paint Corner Author

Ryan Nichols

Ryan Nichols

I first painted professionally in my late teens. I have painted everything from long military base walls to spraying cedar wood siding on cabins in the mountains of Utah. I am also an automotive technician with plenty of auto body and paint experience. In my spare time, I even enjoy artistic oil painting.

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Got Paint Questions? Search For In-Depth Answers Below!

Ryan Nichols

Ryan Nichols

I first painted professionally in my late teens. I have painted everything from long military base walls to spraying cedar wood siding on cabins in the mountains of Utah. I am also an automotive technician with plenty of auto body and paint experience. In my spare time, I even enjoy artistic oil painting.

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