Painting out-of-place or tired brick, whether it is outside or inside your house, is an affordable and fairly fast way to achieve a cleaner and updated look for your home. However, before you can get started there is some prep work that you need to do first.
- Step 1: Clean and prepare the brick.
- Before you paint brick, make sure to always clean it thoroughly first so that when you apply paint it adheres better. Dirt and grime should come up if you use soapy water and scrub diligently using a stiff-bristled brush. After you finish cleaning the brick wait for 24 hours at least before you start to paint.
- Step 2: Apply Prime
- Use a paint sprayer, roller or brush to apply latex primer, depending on how large the surface is. Add extra coats on the sections that have been affected by mildew or efflorescence. No matter how many coats of primer you apply, allow the primer to completely dry before going onto the next step.
- Step 3: Choose your paint
- Many people like to use elastodynamic paint on brick. This type of paint features a high elasticity level, and that makes it great for filling in cracks and preventing them as well. Elastodynamic paint all performs well in every kind of weather – high humidity along with precipitation.
- Step 4: Apply the paint
- Using a paint sprayer is the easiest method for painting brick. You can find a good DIY model from manufacturers like HomeRight, Tracklife, and Wagner.
How To Stain Brick
If your brick is in good condition, there is another finishing option that is available to you: stain. Easier and quicker than painting, stain highlights the unique texture of brick, whereas the opposite is done by paint.
You prepare brick for staining in the same way that you do for painting. Thoroughly clean the surface, and allow it to completely dry before you move forward. If you are not intending on staining the mortar then use painter’s tape to seal it off.
If you decide to stain, make sure to test your stain on an inconspicuous area of a brick. You can lighten or darken the tone by adding water or pigment, respectively.
After you have a mixture that provides you with the color you want, spread the stain on the brick of moving your brush uniformly in one direction. Or, for an application that is more even, a clean rag can be used to wipe stains onto your brick. The stain should be spread as thinly as possible, then wait 24 hours before adding a second coat. Always wear gloves and goggles during the process. Check out our most popular article : Should I Paint My Brick House.