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I'd like to paint our cinder block wall but wanted to smooth the surface first. What are my options besides installing sheetrock on a wall?

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To get a smooth surface you'll need to either use plasterboard (or sheetrock) or plaster (mud? in the US).

Both are DIY jobs, but you need a lot of practice to get a good finish with plaster.

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can i use compound (joint compound) or does it have to be plaster? – Vitalik Apr 1 '11 at 11:23
@Vitalik - I wouldn't like to say without knowing more about the compound. It might also be a more expensive option. – ChrisF♦ Apr 1 '11 at 11:35
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You could use an epoxy coating (similar to what you use on a garage floor) - they are thick enough to give a smooth coat on cinder block. You would need to first morter/plaster the seams to get them smooth. There are also concrete compounds intended for use on vertical structures (see concretenetwork.com for examples) - that can give a very nice appearance.

Plaster or sheetrock would be quite a bit less expensive though.

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