We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and take part in affiliate programs . Learn More ›
While a ruddy brick exterior adds a classic and timeless look to a home , and red-faced brick interior wall or fireplace can bring a hick look to a family ’s inside , it ’s not a flavour that appeal to everyone . as luck would have it , alter the look of brick is as simple as tally a fresh coating ( or a few fresh coats ) , of key over it .
There are both functional and aesthetic reasons for painting bricks . add a coat of key over brick can modernize its traditional face while softening the onerousness that a brick wall can impart . house painting brick also can append an extra layer of protection by serving as a roadblock that prevents wet from soaking into the porous brick and potentially causing damage .
Photo: Guido Mieth via Getty Images
Although any DIYer can paint brick , following certain procedures and precautions ensures a successful finish . We tapped Anthony Kulikowski , owner of aFive Star Paintinglocation in South Bend , Indiana , and a professional painter with 26 years of experience , for his advice on how to paint brick .
Tools & Materials
Bobvila.com may gain a delegation from purchases made through these golf links .
Project Overview
Working Time : 5 to 16 hoursTotal Time : 7 to 18 hoursSkill grade : IntermediateEstimated price : $ 200 to $ 1,000
Before You Begin
Before you crack open a can of paint and go to mold on your brick , first verify it ’s quick to have the key . If the brick has just been set up , you ’ll demand to give it about a twelvemonth to dry out out and acclimatise before paint it . If you ’re painting honest-to-god brick , study it for damage and make repairs to any decay brick ordamaged mortar . Do n’t attempt to paint over damaged area . When quick to start painting , verify the brick is completely wry or the paint could trap wet inside .
It ’s also helpful to gather together yourpainting tools . When paint indoors or around objects that take protection , tape off area and lay down drib fabric as needed before apply fuzee or key .
The best room to paint brick involves a 3 - step outgrowth that let in airfoil homework , priming , and apply the rouge using a rouge atomizer .
Photo: Guido Mieth via Getty Images Guido Mieth
How to Paint Brick, Indoors and Out
Step 1: Clean and prep the brick.
Before painting brick , always clean it thoroughly so that the applied paint adheres . Kulikowski recommends using a power washer if you’repainting a home ’s exteriorto get it sincerely clear . Painting interior brick bulwark requires less drive . “ Most of the time , span them off and dusting them off really well is enough , ” he says . “ If it ’s a fireplace and there ’s soot , you ’ll involve to get a little more fast-growing and maybe use atrisodium phosphate(TSP ) cleaner and a conducting wire coppice , ” enjoin Kulikowski . A one-half cup of TSP mix in into a gallon of water in a bucket ought to do the trick .
Where you encounter mould , apply a solution of one part bleach to three parts water . After letting it soak for 30 minute of arc , proceed to scratch the domain with a conducting wire brush . Never use acid cleaning solution , any of which might compromise the blusher job . After cleanup , give the brick about 24 hours to amply dry . “ It should be dry before you paint , otherwise you ’ll pin down water in there and in all likelihood get some bubbles , ” Kulikowski allege .
Tried-and-True Advice
“ Like any Earth’s surface getting a fresh pelage a blusher , brick and its associated trench mortar joint should be clean-living and jolly dust - gratis . On a in the main upcountry software , I hit the mortar joints with a stiff bristle encounter . This ’ll dislodge a bunch of junk , which I ’ll then sweep off with a whisk broom . I countenance it all go down to the floor or driblet material then sweep or vac before painting . I do n’t require to leave it there during the blusher cognitive process because I ’ll end up walking in it and haul it through the firm .
On an exterior program program , it ’s tough to beat a pressure washer for prep . I like a rotate 1,500 - pounds per square inch revolve sprayer time or a 25 - degree top for this .
I like move mantle for drop cloths because they ’re stiff - ish and lie compressed than flimsy textile or , worse , individual - use plastic . And , I can use them for other things throughout the year . ”
Photo: Michael Warren via Getty Images
— Mark Clement , Contributing Writer
Step 2: Apply primer.
The first footstep to house painting brick is to start with a good primer . “ The one we use isSherwin - Williams Loxon masonry primer , ” Kulikowski says . “ It sticks really well to the brick , and it give the brick a little breathing way . ”
A spray is the preferred method acting for applying primer if you ’re coat an exterior . For interiors , Kulikowksi says he utilise a roller and brush . “ I recommend a thicker nap roller , ” he say . “ I like a ¾-inch nap for brick because it will facilitate you put to work the rouge into the mortar joint . Plus , you wo n’t have to dip as much because the roller holds a minute more . ”
Coat the brick using the roller , then fill in the gap with a brush . Put additional coats on those section that have been affected either by efflorescence or mould . Whether you add one coating of fusee or a few , permit the primer dry out completely , about 3 hours , before going any further .
Step 3: Pick your paint.
Many favour the use of elastodynamic paint for brick . It feature ( as the term involve ) a high floor of elasticity , which makes it excellent for filling crack as well as preventing them . Plus , elastodynamic paint performs well in all atmospheric condition , not only in precipitation but also in high humidness . We recommendBehr Premium elastomeric masonry , stucco , and brick exterior paint . When determining how to paint a brick hearth , opt for thebest brick fireplace paintfor the task .
If you could not regain or do n’t wish well to use elastodynamic paint , do n’t hesitate to opt instead for an acrylic key . Kulikowski recommends Sherwin - Williams paints — Latitudefor exterior andPro Classicfor inside . Just be prepared to use more paint than you would for a steady wall . “ The brick will soak it up quite a bit , ” Kulikowski tell . “ An average gal of blusher on drywall gets 350 to 400 square metrical unit . With brick , you ’re belike getting 150 to 200 solid feet ” of reportage . He recommends go with a semi - gloss finish , specially for open fireplace , since it ’s easy to clean than flatter conclusion .
Step 4: Apply the first coast of paint.
As with primer , when painting exterior brick surfaces , apaint sprayerwill speed up the work . Weekend DIYers ’ favorites are available from manufacturers such as Wagner , Tacklife , and HomeRight . For home walls or fireplaces , brushes or rollers are sufficient . Use the same process to lend oneself the paint as you did to apply the primer , using a compact nap roller and brush .
Step 5: Apply a second coat.
After you ’re done paint the first coat , permit it dry for the time commend on the paint can , broadly 3 to 4 hour . Even though it might find ironical to the touch after 3 hours or less , it is safer to await at least 4 hour before apply a second coat . Be sure to jibe inside mortar joints between brick to sum up paint with a brush as necessary on the final coat . Once the final pelage is dry , remove the catamount ’s tape .
FAQs
house painting brick involves coat the intact brick paries , including mortar , using an acrylic or latex paint - base rouge . Brick staininginvolves lend oneself a finish to the brick that consists of mineral - ground pigments that fleece into the porous material , staining it . Kulikowski says the advantage of a stain is that it wo n’t peel or flake . “ They ’re just a flake calcareous , ” he says . “ When it ’s time to recoat , you’re able to do a bare power wash and recoat . ” Paint , on the other helping hand , will peel as it ages and hence requires extensive scraping before repainting . The downside to a discolouration is that it is n’t washable like paint is , meaning any stains from filth are lasting .
The average cost to rent a professional Felis concolor to paint the exterior of a brick firm is $ 1.40 to $ 4.20 per substantial foot , agree toHomeAdvisor . If you ’re paint the brick yourself , expect to spend about 12 cents to 28 centime per straightforward foot , not including the price of brush , roller , a sprayer , or other supplies .
This Is the Year for a Kitchen Renovation
Photo: Ischukigor/Depositphotos
Whether you ’re sell or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . Learn why we consider this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .
