How to Paint Brick

Often when your home bricks get discolored or stained, they become an eyesore and hence require immediate face lift. Painting your bricks can actually solve the problem. Many home owners feel that brick painting is a complex process and hence try to postpone it as long as possible. But the fact is that it is not that difficult as many think it to be. In fact, any one can do it, provided you have the required tools and time.

Though once you paint the bricks you commit yourself to years of maintenance but if you use superior quality brick paint and prepare the area rightly then you can easily avoid this constant upkeep. Following are some of the guidelines that will help you paint brick:

Instructions:

1. First, remove efflorescence, if any by hand wire brushing. Do not use water for this purpose. Efflorescence is a white, chalky thing that often appears on brick. It is important to remove it so as to achieve a smooth paint.
2. If there is any large crack on the brick, then remove it with wire brush so as to remove loose material that may cause problem while painting. You can use pure acrylic or silicone/acrylic caulk to seal the brick cracks. Also remove any loose brick or mortar material, if any from the surface that is to be painted.
3. Now clean the entire surface by scrubbing the bricks with mild detergent and scrub brush. You can also use a power washer for this purpose. Set the nozzle of the hose to the highest pressure and make sure you wear eye protection while carryout the cleaning process with the hose. In case, if there is moss, mold or/and mildew on the brick, then remove them by using a mix of 3 parts of water and 1 part of ordinary bleach.
4. Allow the brick to dry thoroughly before painting. This is important because brick is porous and hence it may seem to have dried up from outside but is actually wet from inside. Make sure it properly dries up otherwise your efforts will go to waste.
5. When the brick is dry, you can roll, brush or even spray on coat of conditioner paint. Let it dry for at least 3 to 4 hours. However, do not leave it for too long because the surface will get dirty and will need re-cleaning.
6. Go for 100% acrylic elastomeric wall coating that is similar to Stucco Paint (i.e. Valspar Duramax ). Allow it to dry thoroughly and then apply the second coat of elastomeric wall coating.

Watch a video instruction on how to paint brick

See also

How to Paint Brick

How to Paint Aluminum Siding

How to Paint Concrete

How to Paint Aluminum