How to Paint Brick

Brick looks great both as its natural form and covered with a tasteful accent color. White brick is all the craze this year, as well as bright colors like yellow or blue. Painting brick is a completely different challenge than painting an ordinary wall and requires certain measures to ensure you are getting the best possible coverage. Here is a quick guide on how to paint both interior and exterior brick.

Materials

First, you will need a couple of items including:

• A clean work surface- Make sure your brick, especially exterior, has been pressure washed to get rid of any residue that gets into the pores.
• An oil-based or latex primer
• 3/4” or 1” microfiber paint roller
• Plenty of tape and tarps to cover windows and floors
• Interior

Power washing interior brick is probably unnecessary unless the house has been left untouched for an extended period- as can be the case for some fixer-uppers. For interior walls, simply wiping the surface down with a damp (heavy duty) sponge can effectively get rid of any dirt.

Fireplaces, however, need to be cleaned of any soot or grime with non-sudsy trisodium phosphate (TSP). Make sure you have protective gloves handy and start by applying the TSP and scrubbing with a steel wire brush until you see a brighter color of brick. Then be sure to thoroughly rinse the brick before leaving to dry for at least 24 hours before applying your primer.

Keep in mind the type of paint you choose for surfaces like fireplaces. Gloss or semi-gloss finish paints are the easiest for cleaning and reflect the fire in a beautiful light. We recommend gloss for a more long-lasting look that can be refreshed with easy maintenance over a flat finish. Flat finishes can be great for a more toned-down look if you are choosing to accent a different surface in the room, though.

Exterior

Exterior brick may be more intensive to clean, and it is crucial that the brick is clean and bone dry before adding any type of paint. Consider hiring a professional to power wash your brick and allow 24-48 hours to dry before adding your primer. You can also rent a power washer and do it yourself, just make sure to observe ladder and pressure safety before starting your project.

Before you prime and paint, be sure to also seal any cracks or gaps in your brick with acrylic caulk. This makes sure no leaks occur as well as protecting against future damage.

While you can use microfiber paint rollers, we recommend using a paint sprayer for large surfaces for a more even coating. This method will save you hours in time and will get into most of your bricks’ pores. For more precise sections like corners, you can use the rollers or handheld paintbrushes. If you do use a paint sprayer, be sure to be diligent about covering any trim, windows, doors, and concrete that you don’t want paint getting on.

Painting your brick surfaces can refresh your home and give a modern, sleek look with popping colors. However, it can be an expensive and time-consuming project on your own. Hiring professionals like the Painting Company can help save you money and a headache. Contact the experts today for a free quote!