Paint for Retaining Wall

[Frank]

What type of paint should I use for a block retaining wall. In wet weather the wall gets fairly wet so I would be worried about using standard exterior wall paint (Weathershield/Sandtex etc) because the dampness seeping out from the wall may lift the paint. The paint is for decorative purposes. Is there a more permeable exterior paint. Would a whitewash type finish work?

Thanks

Frank

[The Natural Philosopher]

You could treat the wall with one of thoise wetaherseal things to stop teh damp seeping out and paint oiver, but I am dubius of the effect of having a sopping wet wall that may be exposed to frost..

[Lobster]

How about painting it with a bitumen-based (black) paint, then covering that with an exterior paint?

Just floating it as a suggestion to be shot down; I really don't know if it would work (especially the bit about overpainting the bitumen paint)

David